Communications Specialist

• To provide a communications professional to organize, coordinate, and promote its community outreach activities and speaking engagements to increase RIDOH'
• s visibility. In addition, the person in this position would manage the development, production, coordination, and dissemination of RIDOH'

s monthly community newsletter in partnership with the Department's Center for Public Health Communication.

Responsibilities

• Organize, coordinate, and track the Department's disparate outreach activities.
• Engage communities to cultivate relationships, build power, and advance shared priorities.
• Curate and promote opportunities for RIDOH involvement in external, community facing events.
• Build and maintain healthy relationships with strategic partners and community-based organizations to advance the goals of the Rhode Island Department of Health
• Collaborate with Department programs to ensure alignment of engagement initiatives with organizational goals and objectives.
• Attending meetings and events to represent the organization and connect with community members.
• Coordinate with Department programs and initiatives (e.g. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) working group) to organize and manage the purchase of sponsorships and promotional materials for external outreach events.
• Collaborate with the various community engagement working groups in the Department to align their work.
• In partnership with the Department's Center for Public Health Communication, develop and / or review content of promotional materials related to community events.
• Collaborate with programs and Center for Public Health Communication staff to create content (writing / editing) and visual assets (producing videos and photographic content) for dissemination on social media and other channels to showcase RIDOH'

s community-based work.

In partnership with the Department's Center for Public Health Communication, manage the development, production, coordination, and dissemination of the Department'

s monthly community newsletter. This includes working with Department leadership and communications staff to curate and develop content each month, developing a community spotlight featuring a community member working on a public health issue, and attending community events to gather photos and videos for the newsletter.

• Contribute to the Department's social media contents and with program staff and the Social Media Manager on responses to public comments.
• Ensure that messages and materials adhere to agency communications policies and standards for branding, graphics, style, Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS), and accessibility.
• Develop and execute community outreach strategies to build strong relationships and promote the Department's initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Possession of strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational / project management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across different levels of an organization
• Comfort and skill in public speaking
• Understanding of concepts of health equity
• Experience creating visual assets for communications materials
• Ability to evaluate the health beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of specific audiences, including their needs for information about the Department'

s programs and objectives

• Strong verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of public health
• Experience writing and developing communications materials tailored to specific and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work independently to manage multiple projects and deadlines, with attention to detail
• Initiative to launch, complete, and report out on long-term projects and to independently take projects from concept to completion
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, associates, public groups, private and public agencies, and community partners and members from diverse backgrounds
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office products and email management software
• Ability to think creatively and develop innovative strategies for community engagement
• Strong knowledge of digital marketing and social media platforms

Education and Experienc :

• Master's degree in English, communications, public relations, journalism, public health, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years employment in a responsible position in public health, journalism, media relations, communications / marketing, or a related field.

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Other :

Will include some non-standard work hours on evening or weekends on occasion.

Being multi-lingual is not required but would be beneficial.

Client Name : RI Department of Health

Position : Hybrid ( This position requires someone to be able to be on-site at least part time. Some telework may be possible)

Travel : Yes, travel to community outreach events will be necessary

End Date Projected : 3 months with strong possibility of extension