Preparedness Communications Supervisor

Maricopa County; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Exceptional work-life balance

Career growth opportunities

Low-cost healthcare

On-site childcare

Job summary

Maricopa County’s Public Health department seeks a Preparedness Communications Supervisor to lead public messaging for all residents and at-risk groups. The role includes proactive risk communications planning, strategy development, directing staff who execute external public information, and representing communications during emergencies, supported by the Communications Manager.

The position offers a hybrid schedule with growth opportunities, a focus on data-driven public health messaging, and

Qualifications

• Three years of public relations experience
• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, or a related field
• A combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis

Responsibilities

• Supervise, train, and provide guidance to professional staff providing public information or supporting emergency communications; manage performance and priorities
• Monitor reports for potential outbreaks; inform messaging to prevent illness and minimize risk; develop objectives and plans based on CERC principles
• Support proactive and responsive media efforts through relationships with outlets reaching diverse communities; serve as spokesperson during incidents
• Update and maintain emergency communications plans in coordination with the Office of Preparedness and Response
• Lead development of communications assessments to inform outreach with vulnerable populations
• Train Subject Matter Expert in media relations tools and techniques
• Collaborate with partners across cities, school districts, and county departments to align messaging

Skills

Public relations experience

Crisis communications experience

Emergency risk communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, or a related field

Job description

Pay Range

Anticipated Hiring Range: $72,500 - $92,500 annually

Full Pay Range: $72,500 - $112,500 annually

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Posting Date

08/14/26

Application Deadline

08/20/26

Job Type

Contractor with Benefits

Department

Public Health

About The Position

The Preparedness Communications Supervisor will lead a team focused on public messaging for the general public and for groups disproportionately affected by public health incidents. This role includes proactive risk communications planning, strategy development, directing and leading staff who execute external public communications, and representing communications in emergency response operations. The role will be supported by the Communications Manager, who will provide guidance in emergency communications and connect work across the entire communications team.

About Us

Come work for Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the 3rd largest health jurisdiction in the U.S.! MCDPH’s mission is to increase the quality of life for our residents by collaborating with the community to develop and implement strategies, programs, and services addressing the emerging and changing needs of public health. We aim to serve Maricopa County residents with a focus on impact and a data-driven approach to our work. We value our staff's unique skills and differences, as well as the varied experiences and disciplines we represent. Together, we are working towards our vision of creating a healthy, thriving Maricopa County for all.

Proud to Offer

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 11.98% monthly contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
• Want to learn more about the County’s Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more! Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We Require

• Three years of public relations experience
• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, or a related field
• A combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis

Other Requirements

• Within one month of hire, all employees will be required to provide evidence of immunity or receive immunizations for vaccine-preventable illnesses for any position within the Maricopa County Department of Public Health; required immunizations include MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tdap (whooping cough and diphtheria), Varicella (chickenpox), and annual Influenza; some positions require a Hepatitis B vaccine and/or a Tuberculosis test

We Also Value

• Three to five years of public relations experience
• Three or more years of crisis and emergency risk communications experience
• Two or more years of developing and implementing communications plans
• Two or more years of supervisory experience

Job Contributions

• Supervise, train, and provide guidance to professional staff providing public information or supporting emergency communications; support training, review work, and manage performance; organize and assign work, set priorities, and follow up to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work
• Monitor reports for potential outbreaks; inform messaging to prevent illness and minimize risk; oversee the development and review of strategic communication objectives, techniques, and plans based on crisis and emergency risk communications (CERC) principles
• Support proactive and responsive media efforts through relationships with outlets that reach diverse communities and serve as a departmental spokesperson as needed in incident response and on issues such as West Nile Virus, Flu, and Heat
• Update and maintain emergency communications plans, in coordination with the MCDPH Office of Preparedness and Response
• Lead development and maintenance of communications assessments to inform specialized outreach with vulnerable populations
• Train department Subject Matter Expert in media relations tools and techniques
• Work collaboratively with partners such as cities and towns, school districts, and County departments like Emergency Management, Office of Communications, and Human Services to align communication messaging
• Participate in high-level emergency response events and exercises on behalf of the Communications office
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Working Conditions

• Position is typically office or administrative work and is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions
• Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time

Selection Procedure

• Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications
• Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile
• Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.