Job Description

How to Apply

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Position Summary

Are you a big-picture thinker who also loves making the details shine? Do you get energy from building connections, creating memorable experiences, and telling stories that inspire people to visit and explore? If so, you might be exactly who we're looking for. Explore The Dalles is searching for a Tourism Director who is part strategist, part creative engine, and part community champion. This role leads the tourism vision and execution for our region, rooted in a strong City-awarded contract and an even stronger sense of pride in place. From building destination marketing campaigns to enhancing the visitor experience on the ground, you'll help shape how the world sees and experiences The Dalles. You'll need leadership skills, curiosity, confidence, and compassion. You'll work independently and alongside a small but mighty team—guiding strategy, setting tone, and delivering results that truly make an impact. Our dream candidate isn't just task-savvy. They're a people-first communicator, endlessly curious, ready to collaborate, and able to navigate the occasional high-stakes conversation with professionalism and tact. This job is fun, fast-paced, deeply rewarding, and ready for the right person to make it their own. If you can bring structure to a swirl of creative ideas, love making local businesses shine, and want to play a central role in The Dalles' visitor economy—we want to hear from you.

Requirements

• 2-3 years of experience in tourism, destination marketing, public relations, or community engagement

• Proven ability to write and manage social media, campaigns, and content across digital platforms

• Demonstrated leadership, supervision, or project management experience

• Strong communication skills 'written, verbal, and interpersonal 'with the ability to adapt to diverse personalities and audiences

• Basic budgeting, campaign tracking, and reporting experience (preferred)

• Comfort using Canva, Constant Contact, Microsoft Office, Meta Business Suite; knowledge of InDesign or Datafy a plus

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to travel locally and regionally as needed as a job function

Preferences

• Visionary with a doer's mindset

• Emotionally intelligent and unafraid of feedback or constructive input

• Organized in their process, flexible in their pace

• Naturally collaborative, yet capable of independent follow-through

• Committed to community, economic vitality, and making The Dalles shine

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee tourism marketing strategies, digital ad campaigns, content creation, and event promotion that align with Explore The Dalles goals and City contract deliverables

• Guide, support, and empower the tourism team to do their best work, while fostering a strong, positive team culture

• Manage ExploreTheDalles.com content, event calendar, digital tools, and itineraries, directly or through delegation

• Write and oversee the creation of content - including social media posts, press releases, blogs, videos, and digital features 'to grow visibility and engagement

• Organize and lead efforts to enhance the experience of visitors to our community - whether they're here for a weekend getaway, a business conference, a family reunion, or passing through on an adventure

• Coordinate grants, tourism budgets, and reporting 'ensuring transparency, timeliness, and alignment with both internal standards and City expectations • Use tools like Datafy, Google Analytics, and social metrics to analyze tourism impact, inform decisions, and refine strategy

• Maintain and grow relationships with key tourism partners including Hood-Gorge Region, Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance (CGTA), Travel Oregon, and the East Gorge Food Trail

• Represent Explore The Dalles at events, workshops, and strategic meetings, balancing leadership with collaboration

• Support destination development planning, future-facing strategy, and creative program development that uplifts The Dalles' brand and visitor experience

• Ensure excellence and alignment across all marketing, communications, and community-facing efforts

Pay

$60,000.00 to $65,000.00 per Year; Depending on Experience

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Vacation, Retirement

Paid vacation: 1 week after 1 year of employment; increases to 2 weeks after 2 years

3% retirement match (Simple IRA) after 12 months

Opportunities for training, conferences, and professional development travel

Priority of Service

The Jobs for Veterans Act affords priority of service to covered Veterans and eligible spouses over non-covered persons for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services.

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