Communications Associate

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. The BPHC envisions a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy, fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of antiracism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

The Communications Office guides and works closely with BPHC program staff to develop public health awareness campaigns, messaging, and other communications deliverables and works with all forms of media, including press releases and digital campaigns, print materials, social media, audio and video and more. The Communications Office also develops communication strategy, handles all press requests, and collaborates with other city departments and the Mayor's Office to amplify public health messages, priorities, and policies.

ROLE

The Communications Associate helps advance BPHC's goals by supporting all aspects of the Communications Office. This includes working closely with BPHC programs and partners to develop communication campaigns; promote public health messages and programs; and create press releases, talking points, graphics, and other materials. The Communications Associate strategically advances public health goals by developing communications for the public, key stakeholders, and the media. The Communications Associate also helps support the Communications Office, assists in project management, and adheres to editorial calendars.

Note: This position is funded under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support BPHC's expanded behavioral health work.

DUTIES

• Create engaging public health-related content that brings BPHC's voice to important conversations and promotes BPHC programs and services across all communications channels.

• Work closely with BPHC program staff to develop proactive and creative communication campaigns and become an expert in specific initiatives.

• Draft a wide range of communications materials, including advisories, press releases, talking points, promotional materials, web copy, social media copy, emails and newsletters, and video scripts.

• Create dynamic, multilingual materials, including flyers and graphics for digital and print.

• Work closely with communications vendors to support public health campaigns and events and to ensure consistency in branding.

• Create project timelines and workplans, maintain editorial calendars, and keep projects on deadline.

• Prepare staff members for interviews, write press releases and talking points, and help manage media requests.

• Manage communications for events, meetings, and press conferences as needed, including on weekends and evenings.

• Support crisis and emergency response communications, ensuring delivery of timely, accurate information to the press and public.

• Support the production of multimedia and digital projects.

• Help maintain the website to ensure information is up to date.

• Work to help BPHC advance as an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti-Racism Policy.

• Perform other duties as assigned.