Public & Government Affairs Administrative Specialist

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents.

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This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on May 5, 2026.

Annual Pay Range: $ 58,735.50 - $ 74,184.52

Hourly Pay Range: $ 28.238222 - $ 35.665636

Starting salaries will be within the posted pay range based on job-related factors such as experience, training, and/or education. This position is classified as an Administrative Specialist 1.

Clackamas County’s Public & Government Affairs Department seeks a skilled Administrative Specialist to support the essential operations behind the county’s communications, community engagement, and legislative work.

Reporting to the Public & Government Affairs Director, this position provides advanced administrative, operational, financial, and customer service support, serving as a key resource to ensure efficient internal processes and responsiveness to the public and partner agencies. This role is well-suited for someone who is highly organized, adaptable, and motivated to contribute to public service. In this role, you will support the Director and the management team by coordinating daily operations, managing public inquiries, and ensuring timely, professional responses. You will also support financial processes, including accounts payable, billing, budget development, and expenditure tracking, while coordinating projects and maintaining organized systems that support effective department operations.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized and dependable administrative professional who demonstrates strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while delivering accurate, timely work. They communicate effectively with staff, leadership, partners, and the public, and are skilled at interpreting policies, conducting research, and presenting clear, concise information. They have experience supporting financial or budget processes, are comfortable working with data and tracking expenditures, and take a solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving while building strong collaborative relationships.

This role offers a unique opportunity to support the work that keeps county residents informed, connected, and engaged. As part of the Public & Government Affairs team, your contributions will directly support the county's communication with the public, the sharing of critical information, and the strengthening of community trust. If you are motivated by public service and take pride in supporting work that has a visible and meaningful impact, this position provides a chance to be part of a team dedicated to transparency, engagement, and connection across Clackamas County.

Required Minimum Qualifications/Transferrable Skills:*

• A minimum of one (1) year of experience performing administrative support, office coordination, or related work that includes responsibility for multiple functional areas such as customer service, financial processing, or project coordination
• Experience supporting or assisting with basic accounting functions such as accounts payable, billing, or financial tracking
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to compose clear and professional correspondence
• Proficiency with standard office software, including word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Ability to organize work, manage competing priorities, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications/Transferrable Skills:*

• Experience working in a public sector or government environment
• Experience supporting budget development, fiscal monitoring, or financial reporting processes
• Experience working in or closely supporting communications, public affairs, community engagement, or marketing functions
• Familiarity with customer relationship management systems, shared inbox management, or high-volume public inquiry response
• Experience drafting, editing, or coordinating written content for newsletters, websites, social media, or other public-facing materials
• Knowledge of public information practices, media relations, or digital communications tools

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Driving is required for county business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment.
• For veterans qualified for Veterans’ Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Administrative and operational duties to support the director and managers (at the director's discretion).
• Provide centralized customer service for the department, including processing and triaging external calls and Contact Us emails.
• Process accounts payable, billings, reports, and other accounting needs.
• Support department (at the director's discretion) with annual budget preparation and monthly budget reports.

View the full classification specification.

This position is included in the County’s alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off). Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework and based on the Department’s business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering classes and events, as well as alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle. Employee benefits become effective on the first of the month following an employee’s date of hire.

The attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular-status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 12 hours of vacation accrued per month
  • Eligible newly hired employees will have the one-time option to frontload their first year of vacation accruals! This means you have access to vacation leave upon hire.
• 8 hours of sick leave accrued per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
  • Employer paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee’s share of the retirement contribution.)
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Longevity pay
• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see link below for additional information)

This is a full-time County position represented by the Employees' Association.

Learn More About Benefits

County communications, community involvement, and legislative affairs

We are the communications team that provides strategic messaging, community involvement, and informative content to the public, the Board of Commissioners, and all the departments that serve Clackamas County.

Our goal is to help connect you with the services, programs, and opportunities that this county provides. You can stay connected with us through our semi-annual magazine, monthly email newsletter, social media channels, and our YouTube channel, #ClackCo TV.

Learn more about the Clackamas County PGA Department

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

Help with the Application

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources by calling 503-655-8459 or emails us at jobs@clackamas.us. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Requesting Veterans' Preference

Learn more about Oregon's Veterans' Preference

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.

James Callahan, Recruiter

Email: JCallahan@clackamas.us