Initial Posting Date:

08/06/2025

Application Deadline:

09/03/2025

Agency:

Department of Transportation

Salary Range:

$10,311 - $15,964

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Director of External Affairs

Job Description:

Business Operations Administrator 2 – Director of External Affairs
Oregon Department of Transportation
Director’s Office – External Affairs

Salem

The role:

Bring your legislative and policy expertise to our agency as the Director of External Affairs! In this executive leadership role, you will strategically manage and direct our agency’s government relations program, including federal, state, local and tribal liaison activities related to multimodal transportation, economic development and land use issues. You will play a key role in shaping policy decisions aligned with our core values, including strategic planning, resource allocation, operational priorities and business initiatives. This work significantly influences our agency’s capacity to deliver services and achieve its goals and plan for our future. Apply today!

We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our positions. We hope you’ll join us on our path to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through our values, commitments, strategies and actions.

Our first application screening is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. We encourage interested applicants not to delay in applying.

Before applying, visit our applicant information website to learn more about our process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday profile.

A day in the life:

Direct and execute the state and federal legislative agenda for ODOT by directing government relations and related responsibilities.
Develop fiscal and policy analyses, provide guidance on transportation programs and legislation, and ensure the effectiveness and quality of legislative functions across the agency.
Develop and oversee the implementation of legislation and major policy initiatives, ensuring successful execution and compliance.
Serve as the primary representative and liaison for our agency with the Oregon legislature.
Collaborate closely with the governor’s senior transportation policy staff and other state agencies to develop and execute transportation policies.
Provide strategic advice and policy guidance to the Oregon Transportation Commission, agency leadership and the governor’s senior transportation policy analysts.
Oversee a comprehensive federal affairs program, including staff responsible for communicating, advocating and coordinating our agency’s positions with the congressional delegation and federal agencies.
Manage all agency communication strategies, guiding efforts related to government relations, public affairs and outreach.
Work in an office environment with hybrid options available – requires being on call for emergency situations and traveling in state and out of state.
Click here for a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions.

What’s in it for you:

11 paid holidays a year, paid leave and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.
Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.
The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!

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Minimum qualifications:

Seven years of management experience in business operations.

Four years of management experience in business operations and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Special qualifications:

Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid US driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s). Your license does not have to be issued in Oregon to be considered.

What we’d like to see:

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience, education and alignment with ODOT values to help us decide who will move forward.

Proven ability to set long-term vision and lead organization-wide legislative and policy initiatives, including developing and executing comprehensive government affairs and external relations strategies aligned with organizational goals.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with a record of building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with government officials, policymakers, industry leaders and community groups.
In-depth understanding of governmental processes and legislative procedures across local, state and federal levels, combined with experience in advocacy and influencing policy decisions.
Ability to translate and communicate complex public policy issues clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences using exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated success overseeing large programs and teams, managing budgets and implementing new legislation and initiatives, while effectively balancing multiple priorities and projects.
Demonstrated transportation policy understanding or experience.

How to apply:

Complete the following required steps:
- Fill out the application or attach a resume. Please contact the recruiter under the ‘Need help?’ section if you have any questions about how to fill out the experience fields or to attach a document. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer.
- Attach a cover letter. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relates to the qualities that you have under the “what we’d like to see” section above.
  - Your cover letter must be limited to no more than two (2) pages.
  - Please address your cover letter to Kris Strickler, Director.
  - Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the “what we’d like to see” section may receive lower scores than those that addressed the desired qualities.
  - You must upload your cover letter in the ‘Resume/Cover Letter’ section of the application.
- Complete questionnaire. Answer the checkbox-style questions before submitting your application.
After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.
If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will be available after you submit your application. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your military service document(s) to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments.

Need help?

For questions, call 971-273-8687 or email ODOTRecruitmentEM@odot.oregon.gov.

Additional information:

This recruitment will remain open until filled. Our first application screening is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Wednesday, 9/3/2025, but we may close the announcement at any time after this date when we have received an adequate number of applications. We cannot guarantee that we will consider applications received after this screening date. We encourage interested applicants not to delay in applying.
We do not offer visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. We are not an E-Verify participating employer, and we are unable to proceed if E-Verify participation is required [e.g., STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension].
We may use this recruitment to fill multiple or future vacancies.
We will conduct name-based criminal background checks on final candidates, including current ODOT employees. All applicants may be subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as driver license, LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System), and/or education verification as required for the position.
You will become part of the state's management team.

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices. Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding EEO/AA/ADA, contact 1-877-336-6368 (1-877-EEO-ODOT). This information can be made available in an alternative format by contacting ODOT Recruitment at 503-986-3700. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

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Administrator, Government Relations, External Affairs, Public Policy, Legislative Analysis, Government Jobs