Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Health Officer-Administration, responsible for planning and leading all external communication activities to promote and enhance the Health Department’s mission and goals. Ensures the branding, integrity, and effectiveness of Health Departmental information and public health messaging. Coordinates media relations and oversees the Health Department marketing plan. Identifies and prepares grant applications. Represents the Health Department at various internal and external meetings as directed.
Essential Functions
1. Leads the development and implementation of the Health Department’s strategic communications plan. Works collaboratively across the Health Department to develop and execute program communication initiatives. Utilizes available data and information with situational knowledge to guide strategic plans, recommendations, and decisions.
2. Develops and implements Health Department marketing strategy. Identifies distribution channels for target populations aligned with Health Department health equity goals. Creates and distributes information to promote Health Department services and programs. Responsible for compliance with accessibility requirements and best practices.
3. Develops and monitors internal policies and procedures for public information, utilization of social media platforms, and any disseminated or distributed public information. Has broad discretion to maintain and enforce brand and identity standards and compliance with platform standards.
4. Manages the creation, editing, approval, and production of Health Department electronic, printed, and social media communications. Ensures the branding, integrity, and effectiveness of Health Departmental information and public health messaging. Coordinates and evaluates advertising and promotional materials.
5. Leads public relations and media communications efforts for the Health Department during routine matters and urgent incidents of public health significance. Serves as the liaison to senior management for media purposes. Establishes and maintains positive, effective working relationships with media representatives, other local and state agencies, and other organizations. Identifies resources for paid media coverage regarding health topics and campaigns.
6. Plans, organizes, and conducts health communication campaigns in partnership with Health Department leadership to influence behavior and improve health. Collaborates and works with vendors for communication campaigns, the Health Department website, and social media. Manages contracts with agency-chosen vendors.
7. Maintains the Health Department website content and development procedures. Ensures the integrity and accuracy of information in collaboration with Health Department programs. Provides training and oversees additional staff updating the website to ensure compliance with Health Department standards. Monitors and reports on trends and outcomes. Responsible for compliance with accessibility requirements and best practices. Collaborates with Innovation and Technology Department to ensure technical maintenance and security management.
8. Oversees social media efforts for the Health Department across multiple accounts and platforms. Provides training and oversees additional staff moderating Health Department accounts. Plans and implements social media content on various platforms in collaboration with Health Department programs. Monitors and reports on trends and outcomes.
9. Leads Health Department communications-related grant efforts. Develops budget proposals and project recommendations for communication activities. Identifies and prepares grant applications. Researches grant information and provides related documentation. Monitors grant due dates and helps create submissions, reports, and forms.
10. Coordinates Risk Communication Strategies with Emergency Preparedness and Ingham County Emergency Management. Participates in required Office of Public Health Preparedness activities and training. May serve as Public Information Officer during emergency responses.
11. Represents the Health Department at various internal and external meetings. May serve on the Board of community groups or organizations. Acts as liaison for committees and represents the Health Department at state and national planning activities.
12. Responsible for maintaining comfort and facility when communicating with media organizations, coordinating public appearances, and assuring Health Department staff and organization upholding a high level of communication professionalism at all times.
Other Functions
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
- During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited, to those in his/her job description.
(An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)
Employment Qualifications
Education & Experience
A minimum of one of the following combinations is required:
A Master’s Degree AND a minimum of 3 years of experience in public health, communications, public relations, or public policy.
OR
A Bachelor’s Degree AND a minimum of 5 years of experience in public health, communications, public relations, or public policy.
Requirements and Working Conditions
Working Conditions:
- Works in office and clinic conditions.
- May work in various off-site locations throughout the county.
- May be exposed to communicable diseases, blood, and other bodily fluids.
- This position is required to travel for meetings and appointments.
Physical Requirements
- This position requires the ability to sit, stand, traverse, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, typing, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
- This position performs light work requiring the ability to exert 20 pounds or less of force in the physical requirements above.
- This position primarily requires close visual acuity to perform tasks within arm’s reach such as: viewing a computer screen, using measurement devices, inspecting and assembling parts, etc.
- This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
- This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
- This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.
(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)
ICEA PRO 9
March 2024
