Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities and implement strategies to reach public health audiences through written and visual materials, web-based communications, social media, advertising, public presentations, and other tools using audience-centered messages.
• Collaborate with department program staff and Communications team members to plan, develop, manage and evaluate content for department social media platforms.
• Assist in planning, executing and evaluating department communication campaigns.
• Collaborate with Communications team members and program staff to develop public information materials that simplify and communicate complex ideas for diverse audiences.
• Adhere to county and department branding and style guidelines when developing public information materials.
• Support department staff in developing content that uses plain language and meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), when applicable.
• Work with department staff to ensure populations with special information needs receive timely, accurate, accessible, culturally appropriate and understandable information.
• Work with program staff and the Public Health web team to edit, maintain, and improve the department’s internal and external websites.
• Identify and elevate issues of concern and emerging trends to the Communications program manager and department leadership.
• Assist in writing and distributing news releases and responding to media requests as needed.

Requirements

• Associates of Arts degree, or equivalent, from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, English, public relations, journalism or a related field.
• Two years of professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field.
• The ideal candidate will have excellent writing, editing, presentation and public speaking skills; people skills (active listening, validation, oral communication, empathy); networking and facilitation skills; leadership and coalition building skills; organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of principles of risk communication; media relations best practices; strategies for effectively managing content on social media platforms; principles and practices of project management, including planning, scheduling, monitoring, collaborating and problem solving; public health and county government functions; principles of emergency management and incident command system.
• Ability to effectively and respectfully work with people from diverse backgrounds, identify the role of cultural, social and behavioral factors in determining the delivery of public health services and reflect those factors in all messaging, research and implement approaches addressing problems that consider cultural differences and working with diverse populations, demonstrate understanding of social determinants of health and health equity issues, demonstrate initiative and good judgment and know when to seek help, understand and follow verbal and written instructions in an effective and timely manner, effectively coordinate, perform and complete multiple duties and assignments concurrently and within established deadlines, establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, policymakers, other governmental jurisdictions, contractors, and community agencies, mediate difficult working relationships, effectively use a computer, Microsoft Office software, email, electronic scheduling, smart phone, and internet to accomplish job functions, and work in stressful and sensitive situations.
• FEMA ICS courses (ICS 100; ICS 200; ICS 300; ICS 700; ICS 800; IS-29A) will be required to be completed upon hire.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation.

Preferred

• Experience working in local government or public health is preferred but not required.