Communications Advisor, Bureau of CHECW Deputy Commissioner

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a world-renowned public health agency as a Communications Advisor, where you will play a crucial role in promoting health equity and advancing public health initiatives. This exciting position involves advising leadership on communication strategies, developing impactful public-facing materials, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to enhance community engagement. You will be part of a transformative team dedicated to addressing chronic diseases, mental health issues, and the health impacts of climate change. If you're passionate about public health and committed to equity, this is the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of New Yorkers.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health or related field required.
• Five years' experience in health communications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise on internal and external communications matters.
• Develop and implement the division's communications plan.
• Support the Agency press office with timely responses.

Skills

Health Communications

Project Management

Public Health Knowledge

Communication Skills

Equity Commitment

Education

Master's Degree in Public Health

Doctorate Degree in Relevant Field

Job description

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (the NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the country. Our mission is to protect and improve the health of all New Yorkers, in service of a vision of a city in which all New Yorkers can realize their full health potential, regardless of who they are, how old they are, where they are from, or where they live.

As a world-renowned public health agency with a history of building transformative public health programming and infrastructure, innovating in science and scholarship to advance public health knowledge, and responding to urgent public health crises, we serve as the population health strategist, and policy, and planning authority for the City of New York, while also having a vast impact on national and international public policy, including programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and racial and social justice work.

Our Agency’s five strategic priorities are:

1. To re-envision how the Health Department prepares for and responds to health emergencies, with a focus on building a “response-ready” organization.
2. Address and prevent chronic and diet-related disease, including addressing rising rates of childhood obesity and the impact of diabetes.
3. Address the second pandemic of mental illness, including reducing overdose deaths and strengthening youth mental health systems.
4. Reduce black maternal mortality and make New York a model city for women’s health.
5. Mobilize against and combat the health impacts of climate change.

PROGRAM AND JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) oversees the Agency’s work at the intersection of public health and health care. The CMO also works directly with the Chief Equity Officer and Deputy Commissioner for the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness (CHECW). CHECW aims to eliminate racial inequities resulting in premature mortality, with a focus on chronic disease.

The Communications Advisor will report directly to the office of the Chief Medical Officer/Executive Deputy Commissioner (CMO) and will work closely with the Office of External Affairs to promote the priorities of the CMO and Chief Equity Officer, including CHECW’s health equity agenda. The Advisor will also:

1. Advise the CMO, Chief Equity Officer, and CHECW’s bureaus on internal and external communications matters.
2. Apply an equity lens to division communications materials.
3. Coordinate with the Office of External Affairs to implement a communications plan that advances CHECW’s priorities.
4. Act as a subject matter expert to support communications and engagement relating to CHECW’s community investment activities.
5. Develop and oversee implementation of the division’s communications plan.
6. Collaborate with bureau subject matter experts.
7. Prepare the CMO for public events.
8. Develop and implement systems to organize division communications projects.
9. Research and write public-facing materials about the division’s public health initiatives.
10. Review and edit materials to ensure clarity and consistency.
11. Support Agency press office with timely responses to press inquiries.
12. Coordinate with the Office of External Affairs on social media and web content.
13. Analyze data on community partners and media.
14. Assist in identifying metrics to evaluate communications strategies.

IMPORTANT NOTES TO ALL CANDIDATES:

Please note: If you are called for an interview you will be required to bring copies of original documentation, such as:

1. A document that establishes identity for employment eligibility.
2. Proof of Education according to the education requirements.
3. Current Resume.
4. Proof of Address/NYC Residency dated within the last 60 days.

FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL.

This position MAY be eligible for remote work up to two days per week.

Minimum Qualifications

1. For Assignment Level I: A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.

To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:

1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field and one year of full-time experience.
2. A master's degree with specialization and three years of responsible full-time research experience.
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to the above.

NOTE: Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

Preferred Skills

• Five years’ experience in health communications.
• Experience communicating complex technical information to stakeholders.
• Self-starter who can work independently.
• Experience in public health and/or health care.
• Commitment to pursuing equity.
• Innovative thinker with excellent communication skills.
• Outstanding project management skills.
• Ability to simplify technical information for the public.
• Understanding of public health issues.
• Proficiency in languages other than English is a plus.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.