Health Education and Communication Coordinator

MPHI; Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

MPHI is seeking a Health Education and Communication Coordinator in Michigan. The hybrid Lansing-based role requires live-in expertise to plan, implement, and evaluate internal and external communications for the Division of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Responsibilities include content development across webpages, social media, press releases, and reports. The position emphasizes health equity, DEI alignment, and collaboration with internal staff and external partners.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, health communication or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience in health education, community outreach, health communications, or public relations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee development of division communications plans and strategies.
• Lead outbreak response communication as a core member of the Division’s response activities.
• Draft and coordinate review and dissemination of press releases, talking points, and media responses.
• Ensure all division communications meet content, style, and accessibility standards.
• Coordinate maintenance of external webpages and online reports.
• Develop and design content for reports, materials, and various channels.
• Identify opportunities to engage external partners to improve health outcomes.
• Assist with coordinating internal communications and with conferences, webinars, trainings.

Skills

Public health communication

Written & oral communication

Crisis communication

Health equity

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Content development

Graphic design basics

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite / Canva

Education

Master’s degree in public health or health communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Job description

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Health Education and Communication Coordinator

Pay: $72,092 - $103,649 / Posted Thru: 9/20/2026

Location

Hybrid, Lansing – Must Live and Work in the State of Michigan

Purpose

The Health Education and Communication Coordinator is responsible for planning, implementation, and evaluation of activities associated with internal and external communications within the Division of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The position serves as a resource for staff and programs across the division, providing operational and strategic communication support, planning and content development. This position is also responsible for development and dissemination of content across a range of mediums, including the Division’s webpages, social media, press releases, and reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee development of division communications plans and strategies in alignment with department, administration, and bureau priorities.
• Lead outbreak response communication as core member of the Division’s response activities.
• Draft and coordinate review and dissemination of press releases, talking points, and responses to media requests.
• Ensure all division communications are routed through appropriate review and approval processes, and meet all department and bureau content, style, and accessibility standards.
• Coordinate maintenance of external webpages, including online reports and resources, ensuring content is updated with current information as necessary.
• Review, develop, and design content, communication materials and reports for a variety of communication channels, both independently as assigned and as a consultant to program areas.
• Identify opportunities to engage external partners and communities to improve health outcomes.
• Coordinate and assist with internal communications for the Division.
• Assist with coordinating and facilitating conferences, webinars, and trainings as needed.
• Assist with writing grant proposals and creation of both internal and external reports, coordinating grant application submissions and special reports.
• Demonstrate commitment to health equity and DEI through engagement and alignment with BIDP, PHA, and MDHHS initiatives.
• Always represent the best interests of MDHHS and MPHI.
• Other duties as directed.

Qualifications

Education: Possession of a master’s degree in public health, health communication or a related field.

Experience: Three or more years of experience with demonstrated increasing responsibility in health education, community outreach, health communications, or public relations preferred.

Important Skills and Characteristics

• Strong understanding of public health infectious disease prevention and response.
• Advanced ability to convey highly technical information to the lay public through effective written and oral communication.
• Moderate to advanced knowledge of risk and crisis communication.
• Commitment to health equity and the understanding of health equity principles as related to public health communication planning, delivery and evaluation.
• Ability to effectively communicate the impact of structural and social determinants of health on individual and population level health outcomes.
• Ability to engage partners and communities most impacted in the development and design of health education materials.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, focused attention to detail, accuracy and efficiency.
• Self-motivated with the ability to complete tasks in a timely manner and handle multiple tasks at one time with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with email/internet browser software.
• Competency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or other graphic design software.
• Ability to organize and coordinate the work of others.
• Ability to be flexible with changing deadlines.
• Ability to organize, evaluate, and present information effectively.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Must have reliable home internet connection. A valid vehicle operator’s license to attend off-site/in-person meetings, conferences, and trainings. Viewing a CRT or VDT screen over 75% of the time. Position may occasionally require work outside of normal business hours.

Required Communication

Contact Person/Group: Emerging Infectious Diseases Division Director

Frequency: Daily

Purpose: General Direction & Supervision

Contact: BIDP Communications Coordinator

Frequency: Daily

Purpose: Coordination, Planning and Projects

Contact: Section Managers

Frequency: Weekly

Purpose: General Coordination and Consultation

Contact: Program/Project leads

Frequency: As needed

Purpose: Projects and Consultation

Contact: Division Staff

Frequency: As needed

Purpose: Projects and Consultation

Other Information

This position has a direct impact on the quality of services provided by MPHI to MDHHS. The Health Education and Communication Coordinator is a key member of the State’s response to infectious disease threats. The candidate will provide support to internal and external partners, as well as staff at all levels of the Bureau. The position will help ensure that the best evidence-based practices are being implemented across all Bureau programs to help protect the health of Michigan residents.

Additional Details

For purposes of employment standards, this classification is “Exempt” from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act.

MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

MPHI is an EEO employer that participates with e-verify.