Communication Specialist

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Position Details
Proposed Start Date: 07/16/2026

Classification Title: Human Resources & Organizational Development

Rank: N - No Rank

Working Title: Communication Specialist

Department: 600300 - HRC Human Resource Center

Position Number: D92766

Representation: UU - Unclassified Unrepresented

Renewable: Renewable

Position FTE: 1.0

Tenure Status: N - not applicable

Position Summary
Portland State University is Oregon's most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America's most dynamic cities. Our mission to "let knowledge serve the city" reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands‑on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.

More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree‑lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state‑of‑the‑art science labs. We are proud of our world‑class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.

The Communication Specialist will ensure an equity‑ and accessibility‑oriented approach to all website communications. This position will report to the Training & Employee Development Manager in Human Resources.

At this time, applications are

strictly limited to current PSU employees . External applications will not be considered during this initial review phase.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in relevant area plus 2 to 4 years of professional experience.

Ability to persuade others and to adjust communication style to suit the audience to effectively communicate with people in all levels of an organization.

Excellent writing skills, including conveying all necessary points concisely.

Excellent critical thinking, judgement and decision‑making ability, including the ability to weigh short and long‑term costs and benefits of a potential action.

Effective at managing own time.

Ability to work well under pressure and to handle conflict with the highest professionalism.

Strong project management skills.

High level of emotional intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience updating web content.

Experience complying with digital accessibility regulations.

Experience in a large, complex organization.

Experience in an environment with a unionized workforce.

Experience in higher education and public sector.

Experience in successfully building and leading a team.

Key Cultural Competencies

Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.

Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.

Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.

Adhere to all of PSU's policies, including the policies on prohibited discrimination & harassment and the professional standards of conduct.

Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long‑term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours
Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm. Up to one day a week remote, after training period and with the approval of the supervisor.

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.

The starting annual salary for this position will be $55,020 – $58,000 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools. Please visit the total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

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