Communications Public Relations Specialist (Psc)

Agency: Department of Public Health

Office: Director's Office

Division: Communications

Posting ID: PS-20-0051/38975

Posted: 06/13/2024 - 06/27/2024

Salary: $7,083/month

Job Type: [[cust_employmentType_obj]]

County: Cook INCLUDES ALL COUNTIES

Number of Vacancies: 1

Plan/BU: [[bargainingUnit]]

A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING

HYBRID/REMOTE WORK SCHEDULE IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION

Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), a copy of your transcripts or diploma for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licensures to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. Please note that the Department of Public Health must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) before any offer can be extended. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.

Agency Marketing Statement

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.

Position Overview

The overall purpose of the Communication Public Relations Specialist will be to effectively disseminate health-related information and initiatives to the general public, build and maintain a positive public image for the agency, engage with the public and key stakeholders, and ensure clear and timely communication of public health initiatives, emergencies, and guidelines. This role plays a vital part in promoting health awareness, building public trust, and advancing the agency's public health.

The goal of this position will be to drive the dissemination of crucial public health information and elevate the visibility of pertinent programmatic matters. Currently, our team consists of only two dedicated staff members who are tasked with this responsibility within one of the largest public health agencies in the United States.

Other areas within the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) remain underrepresented due to limitations in communication's department bandwidth. This imbalance extends to insufficient support for local public health departments and internal agency issues that warrant proactive promotion. The ideal candidate for this role will play a pivotal part in addressing these communication gaps, amplifying awareness, and fostering robust engagement with the agency's initiatives across the board.

Job Responsibilities

1.Collaborate with agency programs to create public awareness campaigns to promote public health initiatives, such as vaccination drives, healthy lifestyle choices, and awareness about health risks with the creation of presentations and printed assets.

2.Foster community engagement by creating and collaborating on townhall meetings, podcasts and webinars with community organizations, leaders, and stakeholders to address local health concerns, gather input, and facilitate community involvement in public health programs.

3.Develop and create public information materials, such as brochures, websites, videos, newsletters, digital media and infographics, to educate the public and internal stakeholders about health issues and agency services.

4.Staff various public health events, serving as onsite communications coordinator for content, media, digital photo and video support.

5.Maintain calendar of public health campaigns, events and conferences to promote, creating communications materials and content as needed.

6.Communicate with government agencies, healthcare providers, partner organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate efforts and share information.

7.Develop strategies and messaging for responding to emerging health issues, both internally and with the external public and media.

8.Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, and internal and external stakeholders.

9.Arrange interviews, develop talking points and plan content, to ensure accurate and timely coverage of health-related issues. Advise on and edit final product.

10. Provide data dissemination and sharing relevant health data and statistics with the public to inform decision-making and promote health awareness.

11. Facilitate communication within the agency to ensure all staff members are aligned with the agency's messaging and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

1.Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college in Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, Public Relations, or a related field.

2.3-5 years of experience implementing a communication strategy that includes media outreach and social media content creation.

3.4+ years of experience in communications.

4.4+ years of experience creating video communications from concept, filming through post-productions, delivery, and promotion.

5.3+ years developing, implementing, and executing successful public relation campaigns.

6.Excellent organizations skills.

7.Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

1.Excellent written and verbal communication skills, press releases, and communication materials.

2.Proficiency in building and maintaining relationships with journalists and media outlets, as well as handling media inquiries and interviews.

3.The ability to activate crisis communication plans and communicate effectively during health emergencies and crises.

4.A solid understanding of public health principles, to accurately convey health information to the public.

5.Familiarity with social media platforms and strategies for using them to disseminate health information, engage the public, and address concerns.

6.Skills in engaging with diverse communities, understanding their needs, and building partnerships with local organizations and leaders.

7.Experience in planning and executing health-related events, workshops, and public awareness campaigns.

8.Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to tailor messages and initiatives to diverse populations.

9.Effective problem-solving skills to address public concerns, manage crises, and find creative solutions to communication challenges.

10. Collaborative skills to work with colleagues, other agencies, and stakeholders to achieve common public health goals.

11. Understanding of ethical considerations and legal regulations related to public health communication and patient confidentiality.

12. Organizational skills to manage multiple projects, budgets, and deadlines effectively

Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

Work Location: 69 W Washington St Chicago, IL 60602-3134

Agency Contact: DPH.HRRecruiter@illinois.gov

Job Family: Leadership & Management

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your "junk mail", "spam", or "other" folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

Nearest Major Market: Chicago