Program Areas
Workforce Operations Division
This division serves businesses by recruiting and referring qualified applicants, and job seekers by providing a diverse range of resources. Services are provided through the WorkSource Oregon partnership, a coordinated service delivery strategy that includes state agencies, and private local providers.
Program functions include: interpreting and applying laws and rules that govern employment service programs; providing support, technical assistance and training to field staff and managing programs targeted to specific populations.
Workforce and Economic Research Division
This division serves businesses, policy-makers, students, job seekers, department staff, and others. They provide information about unemployment rates, employment trends, wages, education, and training requirements for Oregon's jobs, and career decision-making materials.
Each year they respond to over 8,000 information requests; provide over 300 presentations to a total audience exceeding 10,000; and welcomes over 850,000 customers to their website, www.qualityinfo.org.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Division
This division includes Tax, Benefits, Programs & Methods, and UI Call Centers. Together, these sections support economic stability for Oregonians during times of unemployment through the payment of unemployment benefits.
The duties of these sections include: processing and payment of benefit claims; determination and collection of employer contributions to the UI Trust Fund; monitoring of benefit payments; uncovering and deterring benefit overpayments and fraud; development and monitoring of UI technical programs, design and implementation of UI training and the compilation and publication of UI program data.
Administrative Areas
Office of Human Resources
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) provides human resource and labor relations consultation for all agency employees on topics such as recruitment and selection, staff development, personnel and benefits administration, nondiscrimination and affirmative action, cultural competency, and diversity. OHR provides support to the OED statewide Labor Management Committee and the OED Equity and Inclusion Council as well as have an important role as a liaison between the Department of Administrative Service (DAS) Chief Human Resource Office (CHRO) and OED. Organization and Talent Development is a part of the Office of Human Resources providing classroom, online, and virtual learning opportunities to employees.
Financial Services
This section oversees the Department's budget, accounting, procurement, and contracting functions. They are responsible for providing leadership in the development and execution of the agency's biennial budget, actuarial services, federal financial reporting, cash management, and the development and execution of legal contracts.
Legislative Affairs and Communications
This section supports the mission and strategic goals of
the Employment Department by serving as the
primary face of the agency for internal and external communications
including public records requests, media inquiries, agency website, and social
media presence. Working with the agency’s programs, Legislative Affairs
and Communications produces publications that promote agency services
to employers and job seekers. In alignment with the Governor and
working with the agency’s director and executive team, Legislative Affairs
and Communications strategically develops, executes, and implements agency legislative priorities
by collaborating with other state and federal agencies, policymakers,
stakeholders, and interest groups. These legislative and communications roles
serve as a foundation for the agency to engender accountability, transparency,
and trust with the citizens and businesses we serve.