Summary:
The Health Communications Specialist III will write and edit a variety of communication materials, including but not limited to fact sheets, web and email content, social media posts, infographics, talking points, and video storyboards. Ensure all materials adhere to best practices in health education, risk communication, and plain language principles. This role develops visually compelling, accessible, and user-centered communication products—including print, digital, social, and video assets—while ensuring compliance with CDC branding, Clear Communication Index standards, and Section 508 requirements.
Responsibilities
Essential Job Functions:
- Tailor content for diverse audiences, including clinicians, public health professionals, policymakers, and the general public.
- Strategic Planning and Implementation: Collaborate with internal teams to develop and execute strategic communications plans for health campaigns and initiatives. This includes creating rollout plans and coordinating major announcements.
- Develop and maintain a content calendar to ensure timely delivery and posting of materials across various platforms.
- Public Relations and Risk Communication: Provide consultation support to prepare spokespeople for media engagements and develop key messages and talking points on public health topics.
- Build and maintain relationships with media representatives to ensure accurate and consistent messaging.
- Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify communication needs during public health crises, ensuring that messaging is clear, accurate, and timely.
- Develop key messages, talking points, media statements, and communication materials that effectively convey risk information to diverse audiences, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and the general public.
- Social Media and Digital Strategy: Create and lead the implementation of social media and digital media strategies to enhance the division’s online presence and engagement.
- Monitor and analyze social media metrics, providing insights and recommendations for optimization.
- Collaboration and Coordination: Work with subject matter experts, communications professionals, and external partners to ensure effective communication efforts and information sharing.
- Provide reporters with timely, accurate information for their use.
- Collaborate with federal, state, and local health agencies, as well as community organizations, to coordinate crisis communication efforts and ensure alignment of messaging.
- Engage with key stakeholders to gather feedback and insights that inform communication strategies and enhance public understanding of health risks.
- Research, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement: Conduct formative research and message testing to inform communication strategies and improve message/channel effectiveness.
- Gather, organize, and analyze metrics related to communication efforts, providing regular reports and recommendations for improvement.
- Monitor media coverage and public sentiment to assess the effectiveness of communication strategies and identify areas for improvement.
- Conduct post-crisis evaluations to analyze communication outcomes, providing recommendations for future risk and crisis communication efforts.
- Crisis Communication: Manage crisis communication efforts as needed, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information during public health emergencies or outbreaks.
- Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive crisis communication strategies tailored to DHQP’s public health initiatives and emergencies.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify potential risks and develop proactive communication plans to mitigate those risks.
- Participate in emergency response activities as required, including potential work in the CDC Emergency Operations Center and after-hours and weekend support during public health emergencies.
- Compliance and Best Practices: Ensure all communications materials comply with CDC guidelines, including Section 508 accessibility standards and agency-specific standard operating procedures.
- Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in health communications and digital media.
- Document all communication procedures and protocols to ensure continuity and facilitate future communication efforts.
- Provide regular updates and reports to DHQP leadership on communication activities, challenges, and outcomes.
Qualifications
Necessary Skills and Knowledge:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based public health environment.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Three (3) or more years of professional experience developing visual or health communication materials.
- Demonstrated experience creating print and digital design products, such as infographics, presentations, reports, and web content.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in a related field.
Pay and Benefits
The annual salary range for this position is $95,000 to $115,000.
At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
