AIM is seeking qualified candidates for its Public Health Communications Specialist position. As a key member of the communications team, the position’s core function is to create and develop communication plans, projects, and materials to boost health awareness about influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. The work will focus on initiatives to support historically under-resourced communities that experience health disparities and are disproportionately affected by influenza and COVID-19.

The Public Health Communications Specialist assists AIM staff in the administration and management of communication activities associated with a cooperative agreement awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement technical assistance for strategies to increase community engagement and uptake of influenza and COVID-19 vaccination. These activities are supporting CDC’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program and the 64 immunization programs. REACH is a CDC administered program that works towards reducing racial and ethnic health disparities by awarding mini-grants to organizations that address these issues. Through this AIM/CDC partnership—known as iREACH— REACH grant recipients plan and carry out local, culturally appropriate programs to address racial and ethnic disparities in immunization coverage among Black/African American, Latino, Asian, American Indian, and Pacific Island/Alaska Native communities. AIM provides a platform for REACH recipients to store and share materials, as well as facilitate communication with and between organizations.

This position will be responsible for developing and disseminating clearly written, well-designed health communication materials for AIM members, REACH recipients, and partners in a variety of formats, such as web content, social media toolkits, blogs, posters, training materials, and slide decks, etc. Additionally, this position will provide support for communication and information sharing among AIM members, REACH organizations, and key AIM partners, and support adding developed materials into the CDC’s media center as needed.

This position reports to the Communications Director.

Position Location: Remote
Job Type: Full-time (37.5 hour work week) with benefits, non-exempt. This is a grant-funded position and funding is available through September 2023; subsequent years of funding for this position are contingent on available grant funds.
Salary and Benefits: $65,000, commensurate with experience, competitive benefits package
Start date: September 2022 (negotiable)

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction, and management of the REACH grant project’s communication activities and ensure implementation of grant-required activities through monitoring and tracking of deliverables.
• Create communications project plans including scope, schedule, and cost estimates.
• Develop, review, and provide substantive and editorial feedback on AIM and REACH materials and resources, as needed, based on members’ common challenges and practices associate with COVID-19 and/or flu vaccination implementation and uptake. These might include fact sheets, social media toolkits, web content, presentations, reports, talking points, and other communication materials designed for both external and internal audiences.
• Collect, review, modify, and improve AIM and REACH resources, such as toolkits, checklists, quick guides, infographics, and other educational materials, assessing for reading level and health literacy. Ensure communication activities are based on accepted principles, methods, and best practices.
• Synthesize members’ strategies and messaging to understand vaccine needs, perceptions, and community-accepted approaches for reducing racial and ethnic disparities in vaccination. This could include synthesizing success stories, practices, and materials.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with partners, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Develop a process for and respond to requests for communications support from REACH recipients and immunization program staff.
• Support other communications functions as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• A thorough understanding, sensitivity, and appreciation for equity, cultural humility, and inclusiveness
• A bachelor’s degree (specifically in communications, health communications, health education, or public health is highly desirable). A master’s degree in public health or communications preferred.
• 5+ years of professional health communications experience
• Knowledge of health communication and social media environments
• 3+ years of experience in writing and copyediting education and outreach materials in plain language, for use in digital and non-digital platforms
• 3+ years of demonstrated communication or marketing strategic planning experience, including social media strategy
• Experience working in or with communities of color or other underserved communities
• Experience working with graphic design software (such as Canva) preferred
• Experience with national associations/nonprofits a plus
Experience working an immunization-focused, health care, or related environment highly desirable

The ideal candidate is:

• Passionate, friendly, and committed to AIM’s mission
• Confident, takes initiative, and works independently
• An excellent communicator with outstanding writing and editing skills and exceptional oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Adept at meeting short- and long-term goals and objectives
• Experienced with various communication channels and how they work (print and digital, web, social media, mobile)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, especially Microsoft Teams, with the ability to learn additional applications Proficient in AP style
• Able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Willing to work closely with a cross-disciplinary team of colleagues, partners, and members in a collaborative, collegial, and cooperative manner
• Knowledgeable of communication theory and practices

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter (including salary requirements), resume, and a professional or graduate school writing sample (the sample should be solely written by the candidate, 400-750 words, related to a health topic, and include at the top who the intended audience was) to jobs@immunizationmanagers.org. Please state “Public Health Communications Specialist” in the subject line of the email. No phone calls or LinkedIn messages please.

About the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM)

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) is the only professional public health association for all federally funded immunization program managers in the United States and its territories. Founded in 1999, AIM is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that enables immunization managers to work together to effectively prevent and control vaccine-preventable diseases and improve immunization coverage in the U.S.; promotes adequate and efficient allocation of resources to immunization efforts; promotes development and implementation of sound immunization policies and programs; and provides a forum for development and dissemination of information among its members.

ICF is a mission-driven company filled with people who care deeply about improving the lives of others and making the world a better place. Our core values include Embracing Difference; we seek candidates who are passionate about building a culture that encourages, embraces, and hires dimensions of difference.

@ ICF Next, we are fearless in finding new ways to solve problems, relentless in making sure it pays off for our clients and committed to making a positive change in the world.

Join our community of mission-driven creatives, communicators, strategists, and technologists to challenge the status quo.

We’re currently hiring for a Senior Communication Specialist, Media Partnerships to work with our federal health client.

As a Senior Communication Specialist, Media Partnerships, you will:

• Cultivate, maintain, and nurture relationships with key media outlets and state, Tribal and local health departments.
• Support the client in key areas of media partnerships management, including developing, implementing, and evaluating a strategic partnerships plan.
• Identify and research media markets and outlets to design effective outreach strategies in support of client objectives that may be specific to health topics, communities or audiences.
• Contribute to the client’s overall media strategy related to a variety of client initiatives that focus on audience or community-specific engagement
• Oversee product development of media materials, working with senior press officers, subject matter experts and creative teams to write, edit and design content (e.g., press kits) to support a range of efforts.
• Own key project tasks in a highly visible and fast-paced work environment; work with senior and junior staff on the prioritization, coordination, completion and submission of key project deliverables.

As a Senior Communication Specialist, Media Partnerships, you will have:

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, public health, health communication, marketing, social sciences, or equivalent required.
• 5+ years of media relations experience, with Federal, state, Tribal or local government media experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing partnerships with media outlets as well as state, Tribal or local health agencies.

Professional Skills

• Expertise developing and implementing media relations strategies for audience- and community-focused public health programs.
• Ability to think creatively and provide innovative solutions to clients’ communications challenges/problems (e.g., new influencer engagement or ways to visualize complex information through storytelling or graphic representation).
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills, with ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities at a given time.

Location: The preferred candidate will site on site with our federal health client in Atlanta, GA. However, for select candidates ICF will consider locations in Washington DC or remote work in the United States.

Working at ICF

Working at ICF means applying a passion for meaningful work with intellectual rigor to help solve the leading issues of our day. Smart, compassionate, innovative, committed, ICF employees tackle unprecedented challenges to benefit people, businesses, and governments around the globe. We believe in collaboration, mutual respect, open communication, and opportunity for growth. We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building an inclusive workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to hiring regardless of any protected characteristic, such as race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status, or military/veteran status. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO & AA policy.

COVID-19 Policy: New or prospective U.S. employees must provide proof of complete vaccination on the date of their commencement of employment. If selected for employment, you will provide proof of your full vaccination status, defined as vaccinated two weeks after receiving the requisite number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or authorized for emergency use by the FDA.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email icfcareercenter@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Read more about non-discrimination: EEO is the law and Pay Transparency Statement.

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final salary for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position. The salary range for Colorado is - $60,598.00-$103,017.00

At the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services we’re passionate about “helping people live better lives.” Every individual within DHHS makes an impact. We want to elevate, engage and empower those that choose to spend their energy making the world a little brighter.

We are searching for our next Director of Communications. Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, the Director is responsible for promoting the mission, priorities and brand image of the Agency by communicating and coordinating accurate, helpful, timely and clear information in a variety of ways and via a variety of channels, including internal communication, public information, visual information and legislative coordination..

We recognize that our employees bring tremendous value to the State of Nebraska and that their vital work helps us fulfill our mission and obligation to the public. We support our staff by offering fantastic benefits, training and development opportunities for personal and professional growth. We run a positive, team-oriented atmosphere.

What you will receive:
• Career Development and Learning
• 156% match of first 4.8% contribution to Retirement Plan
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Generous Leave Accruals and benefits
• Opportunity to be part of a caring organization
• Flexible Schedules
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Great teammates 

Pay is commensurate with Education & Experience 

Nebraska State Office Building: Lincoln, NE 

Examples of Work

What you will do as the Director of Communications:
- Manage and oversee the agency’s communication and public information activities, including planning, developing, implementing and evaluating a variety of communication methods and strategies for internal and external communications such as social media, traditional media and public relations; emergency communications; DHHS website and social media pages; and production and distribution of promotional materials.
- Serve as the primary spokesperson and media contact for the agency by presenting official statements to the media on behalf of DHHS; formulating a strategy for media response to highly sensitive issues, often under tight deadlines with considerable oversight and exposure; and ensuring a coordinated, accurate, positive and timely response to media, public and other inquiries.
- Partner with executive leadership to guide and coach them on best communication practices.
- Collaborate and partner with our internal executive level team members on media campaigns while providing best practices on communicating our messaging.
- Develop talking points, speeches and other written documents for the CEO and other executive leaders.

- Manage and oversee the agency’s communications efforts, including coordinating activities with DHHS staff, Governor’s Communications Office and other state agencies; researching issues, and assist with and responding to requests for information from the Legislature and others.
- Develop end-to-end communications campaign plans including messaging, script and presentation development, event logistics, executive briefs, media training and more.
- Develop and maintain internal communications team on key messages and content that supports story development through employee-focused channels
- Manage and oversee the DHHS system advocate/help line, including responding to the public’s questions and concerns about agency programs and services.
- Provide leadership, mentoring, guidance and evaluation to staff within the Office of Communications (OCOM) team and ensure all work is completed in support and enhancement of the objectives and goals of the agency, divisions and programs. 

Qualifications / Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:  
- Master’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, marketing or a related field.
- Five to seven years of progressive and increasing responsibility and experience developing, planning, and managing public relations, mass media communication activities or public information programs.
- Expert-level professional judgement in navigating complex issues and adept at crisis communications.
- Experience in advocacy, including serving as the spokesperson for an organization/agency.
- Experience working in or with government agencies is preferred.
- Able to work in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.

The successful candidate would be an eclectic-thinker, dynamic leader and a creative storyteller. We are looking for someone who is energetic, passionate and comfortable working within all levels of state administration. 

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