Local State Government Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Initial Posting Date:
07/31/2026
Application Deadline:
08/24/2026
Agency:
Oregon Business Development Department
Salary Range:
$8,299 - $12,835
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Policy and Government Affairs Manager (Government Affairs Manager 3)
Job Description:
Business Oregon, the state's economic development agency, is currently hiring a Policy and Government Affairs Manager (Government Affairs Manager 3) We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking leader to shape the agency's government relations strategy and champion policies that drive economic opportunity across the state of Oregon.
The Policy and Government Affairs Manager will play a vital leadership role within Business Oregon, guiding the agency's comprehensive government relations strategy across federal, state, and local levels. This position leads and coordinates legislative activities that advance Oregon's economic growth, business development, and infrastructure priorities. As a key member of the leadership team, the Policy and Government Affairs Manager will direct the development and implementation of Business Oregon's state and federal legislative agenda and serve as a strategic advisor on policy issues that shape the agency's mission and impact.
Note: We are committed to fostering a supportive work environment that promotes work-life balance and flexibility. This is a hybrid position that may have the ability to work from home, with the expectation of an in-office presence as needed to support business operations.
Here's what you will do:

• Advising the Director and department employees on state legislation, public policy, and department-wide program and policy issues.
• Reviewing legislative concepts, bills, and amendments to determine agency impacts and evaluate potential effects of bills.
• Evaluating and formulating recommendations for legislation and policy planning.
• Managing and coordinating department policy options, legislative and
• budget processes and strategy.
• Conducting broad-based policy issue analysis with state impact.
• Coordinating relationships with department partners, advocates, and advisory organizations.
• Coordinating department legislative relations, such as monitoring the process, evaluating and testifying on legislative proposals;
• Working with agency leadership and staff to coordinate and prepare testimony before the Oregon Legislature;
• Assisting the Director and Deputy Director in carrying out priority work.
• Representing the agency in various public venues.
• Managing development of the department's administrative rules and internal agency policies.

Minimum Qualifications:
Seven years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience;
OR
Four years of related experience and a bachelor's degree in a related field.
Requested Skills:
The ideal candidate will possess a combination of some or all the following skills.
If you have these requested skills, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose who will move forward! You do not need to have all these skills to be eligible for this position.

• Thorough knowledge of the legislative process at the state level; and working with legislative bodies at all levels (local, state and federal).
• Experience in policy recommendations, strategic agendas, and legislative strategies for an agency.
• Experience in developing, recommending, or implementing laws, rules, policies, or procedures to address organizational or statewide needs.
• Experience preparing and delivering testimony and supporting legislative efforts that advance executive priorities.
• Experience collaborating and building relationships with the legislators, legislative staff, the Governor's Office, federal officials, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Experience in economic development principles through a variety of industry sectors.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple complex initiatives, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our requested skills listed.
What Business Oregon does:
The mission of the Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD), dba Business Oregon, is to invest in Oregon's businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy.
Business Oregon is the economic development agency for the state of Oregon. We have about 200 people on our team, and we work with communities and businesses. We use our programs and expertise to help businesses grow, so they can in turn add jobs, diversify the economy, and increase Oregon prosperity. We work with communities to enhance and expand infrastructure and community safety with projects such as water/wastewater systems, seismic rehabilitation for schools, or rural broadband development. This also sets the stage for future business development. Our mission is to invest in Oregon's businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy, all carried out with an agency strategic plan.
Through a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility we can advance towards our vision of prosperity for all. As the state of Oregon's economic development agency, Business Oregon advances socio-economic justice by applying an equity lens to our programs, partnerships, and investments, ensuring that our decision-making and resource allocation reflect the needs of all Oregonians. By embedding diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility into our agency's culture and practices, we work to expand access, dismantle barriers, and promote equitable economic opportunities across the state.
How to Apply
Please Note: Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM PDT/PST on Monday, August 24, 2026
Complete the following required steps:

• Fill out the application. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday account through the Jobs Hub.
• Attach your current resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relates to the qualities that are listed under the "requested skills" section above.
  
  • Your cover letter must be limited to no more than two (2) pages.
  • Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the "requested skills" section may receive lower scores than those that addressed the requested skills.
  • Clearly demonstrate in your resume and cover letter how you meet all the minimum qualifications and requested skills listed above.
  • Failure to submit the required resume and cover letter may remove your application from consideration.
• Complete the questionnaire. After you submit your application, please go to your Workday inbox and respond to the public records request authorization, and gender identity questionnaire.
  
  • Answer the checkbox-style questions in the questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit your application, which completes the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.
• Warning - Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity and will not save your application progress unless you use the "save for later" function. If you need to take a break, please be sure to click the save for later button to save your progress. You will find your unfinished application in your Workday inbox.

Veterans, Disabled Veterans & State Servicemembers

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources. Be sure to submit your documentation prior to the close date of this posting to have the preference considered. Click on the Veterans, Disabled Veterans & State Servicemembers link for additional information. 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.

What's in it for you:

• Work/life balance, generous benefit package, 11 paid holidays a year, 3 paid personal days, flexible work schedules, paid leave, employer contribution retirement plan (PERS), and so much more. Learn more about working at Business Oregon and the benefits we offer.
• Planning for your future. Pension plan, and deferred compensation packages.
• Deepening employee engagement by connecting and building strong teams, using enhanced communications, transparency, mentoring, and coaching.
• Care for our people and culture. At Business Oregon, we value community and foster a sense of belonging for our employees. We invest in our employees' well-being including training and professional development, addressing burnout and other efforts that contribute to healthy, whole employees.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness. If you're employed by a government agency, you may be eligible. Learn more.

Additional Information:

• Business Oregon does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. Learn more.
• Hiring a successful candidate will be contingent upon the results of a criminal background check. Adverse background data may result in immediate disqualification.
• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current position and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
• Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials.
• This is a full-time management service, exempt position and is not represented by a union.
• This is a PERS qualifying position. Employees new to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) will get a 6.95% base salary increase and will pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS, after an initial six-month waiting period.
• Are you looking to live in and experience Oregon? Learn more about life in Pendleton, Salem, and Portland.

Need help?
We invite you to contact the recruiter for application questions or job-specific questions.

• The recruiter for this position is Caroline LeQuieu, HR Analyst. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition (REQ) number at the top of this job post.
• Email: caroline.lequieu@biz.oregon.gov
• Phone (call or text): (503) 779-8071

It is our policy to provide reasonable accommodation for all applicants who may need it. Should you need assistance or accommodation, please contact the recruiter at caroline.lequieu@biz.oregon.gov to discuss how we can best meet your needs.
Business Oregon is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.
Helpful Links & Resources
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Business Oregon Career Opportunities