Benefit type: Full time, benefited

Benefits available: For a full description of our benefits, please click here.

About the job: 

The Communications Coordinator is a professional who thrives in a fast-paced organization, is passionate about serving the local community, and believes that engaging residents through a variety of communication channels is the duty of a public agency.

This position is responsible for content creation to inform the public through professionally written communication using a variety of media, e.g., social media channels, website, press releases, newsletters, etc. The position also coordinates the photography assets for the district and serves as a spokesperson and point of contact for media.

A day in the life: 

The successful candidate in this position might start the morning interviewing staff and community members to learn more about a compelling story, then spend the afternoon capturing photos or video, writing a news release, providing a media interview as a spokesperson, launching a social media campaign and responding to comments and questions.

They’ll create content that informs, inspires, and connects people to parks, recreation and community services through digital, print, media, email and BPRD’s 18 social media channels.

They’ll collaborate with subject matter experts, analyze communication performance, respond to public and media inquiries, manage seasonal campaigns, monitor community conversations, and ensure information across websites, social platforms, and publications is accurate and engaging.

For a communications professional who thrives on storytelling, building relationships, and turning complex information into meaningful content, this position offers plenty of opportunity to make an impact every day.

Further details: 

• Writes and submits stories and updates for communications channels, including website, social media, news media, print and digital publications.
• Creates compelling and thoughtful written and visual content (video, photography and graphics) both independently and in collaboration with district staff or community members.
• Creates, edits, sends and reports on email marketing and social media communications.
• Meets with staff to research, develop and confirm accuracy of content.
• Coordinates project management for broad and seasonal communications campaigns.
• Monitors and responds to stories/information posted to social media formats to broaden public knowledge and engagement with the district.
• Adjusts strategies based on data-driven insights.
• Coordinates with subject matter experts and replies promptly to public inquiries.
• Serves as a spokesperson and point of contact for media.
• Updates and verifies accuracy of information on the district website and internal staff channels.
• Monitors and responds to external reviews and ratings about the district.
• Facilitates document translation requests.
• Performs special projects as assigned.
• Acts as a Mandatory Reporter; reports incidents of child abuse/neglect.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Schedule and Hours:

Monday-Friday 40 hour work week. Ability to periodically work evenings, weekends, and holiday hours as well as on emergency notice for support to critical district services.

What you’ll need for success:

Strong Knowledge of:

• Business English and Associated Press writing skills, spelling, punctuation, and grammar;
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures for copy communications, copyright, accessibility, and algorithms used by social media platforms;
• Research techniques and proofreading;
• Social media platforms and functionality;
• Data reporting analysis tools to inform strategies and future efforts;
• Photography technique and photo database management;
• Office administrative processes, procedures and functions; and
• Relevant district programs, services, and facilities.

Some knowledge of: 

• Website content management system;
• Basic video production and editing;
• Basic graphic design programs such as Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Express, LightRoom, PhotoShop and/or Illustrator) and/or Canva; and
• Project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple projects and influence peers on a work team.
• Spokesperson role and responsibilities and media relations best practices.

Skill and Ability to: 

• Effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing, including by phone, e- mail or in person;
• Collaborate across departments and maintain timelines and deliverables relying on participation of others;
• Work independently while also able to work cooperatively with others;
• Plan, assign, lead and review work of others;
• Analyze data and draw logical conclusions;
• Accurately interpret policies and procedures;
• Demonstrate strong leadership, research, and problem-solving skills;
• Convert involved technical information into practical and understandable communications;
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form;
• Proficiently operate office equipment including computers and associated software programs; Effectively evaluate new and existing programs, services, and events and provide sound recommendations;
• Demonstrate good judgment and initiative; and
• Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and respectful working relationships with all contacts.

What we’re looking for:

Minimum Education, Experience, and Training:

1. Associate’s degree or equivalent 2 years college coursework; AND
2. Three (3) years of professional experience in writing, communications, and social media management; OR
3. Any satisfactory combination of education, experience and training.

License and Certifications:

Some positions may require possession of, or ability to obtain valid Oregon driver’s license within 30 days with an acceptable driving history as defined by district driving policy.

Position Specific Requirement:

This position may require reporting to additional sites throughout the workday, typically achieved in a motor vehicle OR other modes of transportation. If choosing a personal vehicle, possession of, or ability to obtain valid Oregon driver’s license within 30 days with an acceptable driving history as defined by district driving policy.

If you do not have a driver’s license or have an unacceptable driving history, it does not disqualify you from this position, only from driving a vehicle for district business.

Supervision Received:

Works under the general supervision of the Community Engagement Director. Follows standard processes and procedures without supervision but confirms changes to standard practices and significant decisions in advance.

Supervision Exercised:

Supervision is not a responsibility; however, provides direction and guidance to staff and volunteers and influences peers for shared projects and timelines.

Working Conditions: 

The following are working conditions, including environmental and physical demands, required for this classification. 

• Work is primarily performed indoors requiring the ability to work and maintain focus in a work environment with moderate noise (i.e., working around others making periodic phone calls or having conversations) and with frequent interruptions.
• Work performed outdoors includes exposure to inclement weather including heat, cold, humidity, wind, snow, and rain and standing and walking over uneven terrain such as parks and trails with up/down includes paved and unpaved surfaces.
• Frequent focus on a computer screen, side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, pushing, and pulling.
• Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Manual dexterity and coordination; daily precise control of fingers and hand movements while operating computer keyboard, telephone and standard office equipment.
• Must be able to travel to event locations and District facilities in, around, or outside the greater Bend area.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; those activities where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other works accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Requires crouching, bending, kneeling, sitting, reaching, setting-up and tearing-down activities; ability to push, pull, lift or carry up to 30 pounds; and
• Ability to periodically work evenings, weekends, and holiday hours as well as on emergency notice for support to critical district services.

Selection Process:

Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training and willingness to learn the skills required for the position. An offer of employment is contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by Bend Park & Recreation District policies, including a background check and a driving history review when driving is required for position.

Veteran Preference Status

Under Oregon law, veterans who meet minimum qualifications for a position may be eligible for employment preference. To qualify for veterans’ preference, you must submit required documentation prior to the closing date of the recruitment. Veterans’ preference cannot be awarded without required documentation. Beginning January 1, 2026, certain preferences will also apply to current and former members of the Oregon National Guard. For more information on if you qualify for veterans’ preference visit https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/veterans-preference.aspx

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Bend Park and Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Bend Park & Recreation District Core Competencies:

All positions with Bend Park and Recreation District are subject to district and position competencies. Below is a list of the most critical competencies for this position. Additional competencies are required for the position and may change based on district needs. A complete list of the competencies is available from Human Resources.

Accountability • Customer Service Orientation • Safety • Judgment and Decision Making • Teamwork and Cooperation • Results Orientation •

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please note that our application system does not allow you to save and come back to complete your application at a later time. You will have to complete the application once you have started it. This position has supplemental questions that might require extra time. If you would like to write longer answers, you may do so by completing your answers in a different document and uploading them as part of your application. Please ensure you have all the information you need to complete the application.

1. Describe your experience in creating professional written content for press releases, newsletters, and social media.

2. Describe your experience in photography technique, photo database management, and video production and editing.

3. Describe your experience collaborating with multiple departments or teams to provide excellent customer service.

4. How do you incorporate DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) principles into your work?