Public Health Communication Officer Job Listing at State of Vermont in Waterbury, VT (Job ID D20946A9-B866-4)

Description

Overview

The Vermont Department of Health is looking for our next Public Health Communication Officer - Media Relations Lead! The Media Relations Lead is a key member of our Communication Office and spearheads the development and implementation of our department-wide media relations strategy. Our ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative communications professional who understands how to deploy media relations tactics to further our public health mission and can work well under pressure when handling highly sensitive, complex, and time-sensitive projects.  

 

Major Areas of Responsibility for the Public Health Communication Officer - Media Relations Lead: 

•    Manage all media relations for the Department, including interview scheduling, information request triage and response, spokesperson preparation, and ongoing media monitoring. 
•    Work closely with other communication staff, Division Directors, the Commissioner's Office, the Agency of Human Services, and other state departments and agencies to coordinate strategy and key deliverables aligned with media events, press conferences, press releases, and statements.  
•    Support emergency communication efforts, serving as Public Information Officer in the department's emergency operations center and in the State Emergency Operation Center's Joint Information Center as assigned. 
•    Develop and lead media relations and spokesperson trainings for Health Department staff.

 

Qualities and skills that will help someone be successful in this role include: 
•    Strategic thinking - Able to anticipate media topics of interest and proactively advocate for and plan messaging strategy with leadership.
•    Communications - Has considerable knowledge of principles and best practices of communications.
•    Media relations - Able to work successfully with media outlets to further the efforts of a mission-driven organization or agency; understands key journalistic principles of newsworthiness, transparency, and timeliness. 
•    Collaboration and negotiation - Can navigate the competing wants and needs of multiple parties to reach a positive outcome.
•    Strong writing skills - Can distill complex, technical public health information into clear and effective public health messaging for the media and public; can internalize and incorporate our "voice" across their writing.
•    Grace under pressure - Able to meet short and urgent deadlines, while ensuring public information is vetted and cleared for release; able to respond diplomatically and reasonably when situations may conflict with reporter requests and perspectives.
•    Spokesperson skills - Able to speak on the record on behalf of the department when necessary.

 

The Vermont Department of Health is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the department's diversity and commitment to fostering an environment of mutual respect, acceptance, and equal opportunity. We're seeking people of all genders and backgrounds who are dedicated to improving economic, social, and health conditions for all Vermonters, and are committed to a vision of Vermont that embraces all the people who live here. Our work is best when a rich array of voices is included, and a shared mission and values exist. Black, Indigenous, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA, people with disabilities, immigrants, and people from all economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

 

Learn about the Health Department's mission, vision, and values: https://www.healthvermont.gov/about/our-vision-mission-values

Telework

The Vermont Department of Health supports a hybrid work environment. We believe a hybrid work environment promotes autonomy and allows for increased flexibility and better work-life balance. Upon hire, employees work with their supervisor to create a schedule that aligns with the business needs of the unit.

Who May Apply

This position, Public Health Communication Officer (Job Requisition #50344), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact Gillian.Morgan@vermont.gov.
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail.  You must apply online to be considered.
Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

 

AHS BACKGROUND CHECKS:  Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position.  In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.

Environmental Factors

Duties are performed in office, field and remote settings. Some work outside of normal office hours may be required. Stress may be encountered due to tight deadlines, conflicting opinions, and the result of policy and public communication decisions, especially during public health events and emergencies. The incumbent must be skilled at conflict management and have the capacity to integrate various and conflicting viewpoints in public health messaging.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in public health, journalism, communication, marketing, public relations or a closely related field.

OR

Bachelor's degree in public health, journalism, communication, marketing, public relations or a closely related field AND one (1) year of experience in journalism, marketing, advertising, communication, public relations or a closely related field.

OR

Bachelor's degree AND two (2) years of experience in journalism, marketing, advertising, communication, public relations or a closely related field.

OR

Four (4) years of experience in journalism, marketing, advertising, communication, public relations or a closely related field.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

Equal Opportunity Employer The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.

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