Communication Specialist

Valley Youth House; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orientation program

Competitive compensation with PTO

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Disability coverage

Pre-tax Spending Accounts

Wellness programs

Referral program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Valley Youth House is seeking a full-time Communication Specialist in Bethlehem to lead internal communications, create compelling content, and manage media relations. The role emphasizes a trauma-informed, healing-centered voice for brand storytelling across website, blogs, social media, newsletters, and campaigns.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of professional communications experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• At least 3 years of corporate communications, media, journalism or related experience.
• Strong writing, speaking, organizational skills; ability to work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal communications strategy for employees at all levels, ensuring timely information and positive staff relations.
• Create and edit content highlighting the Valley Youth House brand, mission, and services with a trauma-informed voice.
• Develop content for fundraising and marketing campaigns and measure performance to refine strategy.
• Manage yearly Agency Annual Report in partnership with design/vendor.
• Cultivate media relationships, manage advisories, press releases and events, and track progress toward KPIs.

Skills

Writing skills

Communication

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position: FT -Communication Specialist- $21hr - $25hr

Location:

Bethlehem

The Organization:

Valley Youth House empowers and strengthens the lives of children, youth, and families through inclusive programming that builds resilience and fosters growth and independence. VYH works from a Trauma Informed / Healing centered perspective, incorporating positive youth and human development and cultural awareness into all aspects of our agency. We want our clients and staff to feel safe, have choice and voice, collaborate in a trusting environment, and be empowered to make a difference in their own lives and the agency.

Why Should You Apply?

• An extensive orientation program to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
• Competitive compensation package with paid time off (PTO) to promote work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, including prescription benefits.
• Enroll in our 401(k)-retirement plan and enjoy a company match to secure your financial future.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Take advantage of our pre-tax spending accounts (Health Care and Dependent Care FSA).
• Health and wellness programs to support your overall well-being.
• Referral program where you can earn rewards for bringing talented individuals to our team
• Tuition reimbursement program to fuel your professional growth.

Essential Functions of the CommunicationSpecialist:

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS:

• Lead internal communication strategy for employees, ensuring that staff at all levels have the relevant and timely information they need to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively, while building positive internal relationships and supporting staff culture and engagement efforts.
• Actively engage with the President & Executive Director, Agency Executive Cabinet/Leadership Team, Board Members, Human Resources, and Advancement team to ensure that internal Cascading Messages, agency updates, and the internal newsletter House Happenings, etc. are communicated in an effective and timely manner.

CONTENT CREATION:

• Writing and editing compelling content that highlights the Valley Youth House brand, mission, and services, using a trauma-informed, healing-centered voice, including, but not limited to program/agency updates, client and former client led narratives, and staff spotlights for use on VYH website blog, social media, newsletters, etc.
• Develop original written content for agency fundraising and marketing campaigns, including, but not limited to, advertising, case statements, email/e-newsletter, direct mail, and e-appeals and measuring performance to refine future strategy.
• Manage and produce yearly Agency Annual Report, working in partnership with design and print vendor.

MEDIA/PUBLIC RELATIONS:

• Cultivate and build new relationships and strengthen existing relationships with priority media outlets.Manage advertising strategy and execution: writing, editing, and distributing advisories, press releases, op-eds, press kits, and other information.Lead communication efforts for ribbon cuttings and press conferences.
• Enhance Thought Leadership strategy to gain earned media and awareness to elevate public profile and continue to position the Agency and employees as subject matter experts.
• Actively seeks opportunities to further positive reputation in the media/public and to promote the Agency mission, services, expertise, nominations, and accomplishments.
• Track, measure, and analyze metrics to demonstrate progress towards Strategic Plan, Agency, and Department KPIs and goals

Minimum Qualifications of the Communication Specialist:

• This position requires a professional who is achievement-oriented and adept at prioritizing and multi-tasking. A team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority both inside and outside of VYH.The position requires maturity, excellent skills in writing, speaking, organization, independence of judgement, and the ability to work independently as well as a team player.
• Bachelor’s required.
• 3 years of professional corporate communications, media, journalism, public relations or related experience is required.

Physical Requirements of the Communication Specialist:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; or sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk, working on a computer.
• This position requires occasional regional travel to different Valley Youth House sites and offices and Advancement related events.
• Ability to navigate stairs.
• The individual must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel when necessary.
• The candidate must be an individual who has never been convicted of any child abuse offenses.

If eligible

• Medical, vision, and prescription benefits available after the first month of hire
• Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time Off
• 401k -6% match
• Employer-paid clearances, physical, and training
• Opportunities for Tuition reimbursement
• Opportunities for licensure supervision hours for LCSW and LPC