COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI; Michigan; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Washtenaw County Health Department seeks a professional communications lead to coordinate department messaging, produce high-quality content, and manage outreach across diverse audiences. The role emphasizes crisis communications, public health messaging, and cross-department collaboration.

The ideal candidate will oversee internal/external communications, support emergency information dissemination and maintain the department web presence while translating complex health topics for the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field.
• Some roles require a Master’s degree.
• Experience in public health communications is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate department communications and service activities.
• Develop high quality written and digital content describing department work.
• Lead internal and external communications and outreach events.
• Prepare information for media, public forums and emergency communications.
• Manage department website and online presence.
• Translate complex health information for diverse audiences.
• Support narrative development for strategic plans and programs.
• Represent the agency to communities and partners.

Skills

Crisis communications

Public health communications

Media relations

Data analysis

Project management

Written materials

Strategic communication

intercultural communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree may be required for some roles

Job description

INTERNAL UNION APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN FIRST CONSIDERATION FOR UNION POSITIONS

Washtenaw County Health Department envisions a healthy community where every resident has the opportunity to achieve optimal health and well-being.

GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR HEALTH EQUITY

Washtenaw County Health Department is committed to working with community members and partners to address the factors that influence health, including employment, education, housing, neighborhood, public safety, food access, air and drinking water quality, and health care. Our work toward health equity and social justice will be guided by the following principles:

• We value all people equally
• We promote the improvement of living conditions in which community members are born, grow, reside, work, play, learn and age.
• We strengthen partnerships with community members that aid in community empowerment through community capacity building, organizing, and mobilizing.
• We name racism and other -isms as a barrier to health equity and social justice.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of a higher-classified employee, serves as a professional lead worker, coordinating service activities of a designated unit within the department to which assigned and performing complex and sensitive professional communications support related to department and divisional operations.

Accountable for initiating, leading and supporting effective communications of the department¿s services, outcomes and emergency information or instructions to diverse audiences and the community as a whole. Ideal candidate will work across the department to foster public sharing of health information, data and instructions to maximize reach, impact and understanding. Provides research, analysis and recommendations and is responsible for conveying complex information about public health issues and interventions clearly and accurately.

DEPARTMENT-WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES

• Applies ethical principles in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information.
• Contributes to implementation of organizational strategic plan.
• Communicates in writing and orally with linguistic and cultural proficiency (e.g., using age-appropriate materials, incorporating images).
• Describes the concept of diversity as it applies to individuals and populations (e.g., language, culture, values, socioeconomic status, geography, education, race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, profession, religious affiliation, mental and physical abilities, historical experiences).
• Collaborates with community partners to improve health in a community (e.g., participates in committees, shares data and information, connects people to resources.
• Describes how public health sciences (e.g., biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health services administration, social and behavioral sciences, and public health informatics) are used in the delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.
• Adheres to organizational policies and procedures.
• Incorporates ethical standards of practice (e.g., Public Health Code of Ethics) into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities.

The above statements are intended to provide general guiding competencies and are not an exhaustive list.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Serves as a professional lead worker within the assigned unit of the department to which assigned. Coordinates, monitors and assigns work to other employees within the unit.
• Responsible for the development of high quality communication products, including written and digital content that describes, analyzes and measures the work performed and supported by the department or that promotes needed public health interventions or emergency instructions. Requires independent judgment and attention to detail.
• Actively supports and assists in the development of a strategic plan for communications including goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for overall departmental communications and within divisions and programs including print, broadcast media, web based communications and public relations.
• Leads the development, organization and implementation of internal and external communications activities and operations of the department and divisions.
• Responsible for the preparation and delivery of information using a variety of methods including electronic and print media, direct mail, video, radio, forums, conferences and participation in public events. Extensive writing experience required, including experience with a variety of content (news articles, educational materials, technical reports, data reports, requests for proposals, resolutions, grants, contracts, etc.).
• Serves as the web site and web team coordinator., Developes and manages the department¿s web pages and online presence.
• Provides direct information and community service activities, such as appearing before interested groups and making presentations at workshops, seminars, or events.
• Participates in the unit/department reviews in order to provide and receive feedback on types of services provided and effectiveness of message dissemination, outreach or interventions.
• Represents the agency to the community, other County departments, outside agencies, families of customers, and other interested parties in such a way that an understanding of customers¿ needs are fostered.
• Participates in service planning, research, analysis, grant preparation and evaluation of designated unit/program. Develops alternative proposals and identifies objectives related to goal and policy formulation.
• Prepares and participates in the collection of data and information on services. Prepares various written and statistical information in proper format for presentation. Monitors grant proposals and programs.
• Provides assistance in the in-service training of other employees. Serves as a resource to department employees by providing consultation and training on public communications and other administrative services.
• Writes department materials, reports, press releases, website content, speeches, presentations and other public communications.
• Serves as the alternate Public Information Officer when the primary PIO is unavailable. Serves as spokesperson and liaison to the media; develops messaging and coordinates live broadcast and print interviews regularly.
• Assists with the planning and implementation of the communications aspects of departmental emergency preparedness activities.
• Develops and implements communications projects utilizing web-based technology and listserves to directly communicate with citizens.
• Uses standard office equipment in the course of the work. May drive a County or personal vehicle in the performance of the work.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Principles and practices of communication, including crisis communications
• Computer applications and online platforms related to the work.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, work teams approach and general project management methods.
• Ability to plan work, think conceptually, observe and evaluate trends, draw logical conclusions and make sound decisions and recommendations.
• Ability to perform a variety of professional-level program and project management work without close supervision.
• Department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Basic budgetary principles and practices
• Techniques of dealing effectively with individuals of varying socio-economic backgrounds.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining complex concepts, health issues or interventions, including laws, policies and regulations.
• Research, data analysis and report preparation techniques.
• Using sound independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Preparing clear, concise and effective written materials and maintaining accurate records.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

Possession of a valid Michigan Vehicle Operator¿s License is required. Professional licensing necessary to carry out the tasks of the unit/department to which assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate. These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

EDUCATION

Equivalent of a Bachelor's degree including, but not limited to: Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Public Health, Bachelor in Clinical Psychology, Bachelor in Public Administration. Based on the nature and scope of the work performed by the assigned unit, some positions will require a Master's degree in one of these fields.

EXPERIENCE

Two (2) to three (3) years of progressively more responsible in performing professional level human services and/or related service delivery. Specific experience with organizational or governmental communications, multimedia formats, media relations and crisis communications.

This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.