Job Specification Details

This is the senior level of a three-step career ladder that involves advanced management of communication projects and strategy across the department.

Public health communication, marketing and media strategy, management, leadership and advisory work at a senior professional level for the Department of Health involving a wide range of rapidly evolving and complex public health issues. This position is part of the Communication Office team within the Commissioner’s Office. The primary purpose is to manage and guide the overall communication and outreach-related work of the Health Department in order to provide timely, accurate, credible and accessible information to protect and promote the health of Vermont residents and visitors.

Duties may include: developing and implementing communication strategy, plans, policies and guidance; leading cross-department teams and work groups on specific projects; consultation, coaching, and training presentations to staff, state government, community partners or public groups; leading crisis/emergency risk communication response during public health emergencies; reviewing and providing final clearance/approval on public messaging. The focus of this position may be on leading one or more of the following communication domains: communication planning and strategy; website management; social marketing; media relations; social/digital media; language access, accessibility and health communication equity.

The role involves extensive interactions with department leadership, directors, subject matter experts, public health communicators, other state government leaders and communicators, community partners, journalists, and creative services vendors.

Work is performed independently as part of a team under the general direction of the Communication & Policy Advisor for Public Health. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships, and results orientation.  

Lead and manage one or more Communication Office domains for the Health Department – communication planning and strategy; website management; social marketing, branding and graphic design; media relations; social/digital media; language access, accessibility and communication equity. Lead cross-division groups or teams to strengthen communication capacity or accomplish communication-related projects. 

Advise leadership on communication strategy and principles of crisis and emergency risk communication. Develop messaging that can be tailored to a range of communication methods, including media interviews, public statements, website content, social media, videos, marketing and promotions, and translated products, etc.

Develop communication, marketing, media, plans, procedures, governance documents, statements of work, work plans, contracts and agreements. Create and implement website strategy. Lead department web editors in their work to ensure a valuable, up to date and easy to use website. Partner with website development and hosting resources. Design and provide media training for communicators, spokespeople and subject matter experts. Create systems to track and respond to media requests. Develop and maintain media guidance, standards and procedures. Write news releases, key points, public statements. Set marketing, design and brand standards, oversee marketing campaigns, and advise leaders and communicators on marketing strategy. 

Serve as a Lead Public Information Officer in an emergency response, or lead the work in a specific domain of the Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) team. Serve in a PIO leadership role with the State Emergency Operations Center’s Joint Information Center (JIC) as needed.

Duties are performed in office, field and remote settings. Some work outside of normal office hours may be required. Stress will 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 integrating various conflicting viewpoints.
 

Significant expertise and experience in exercising the principles and practices of public health communication and crisis and emergency risk communication.

Significant specialized or technical expertise in one or more public health communication disciplines: planning and strategy; website management; social marketing; media relations; social/digital media; graphic design, language accessibility; and health equity.

Demonstrated ability to understand, quickly synthesize and translate scientific and technical information into clear communications for a variety of audiences.

Demonstrated ability to lead groups or teams in work projects assignments to achieve a specific goal.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing.

Demonstrated ability to develop communication plans – including identifying audiences, outlining strategies, setting goals, and measuring outcomes. 

Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels within the Health Department, and with partner organizations and the media.

Considerable proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, content management systems (Drupal), social media management tools, or creative software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva). 

One (1) year experience as a Public Health Communication Officer, Public Health Marketing Director or a Division Information Director.

OR

Master’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 in public health, journalism, communication, marketing, public relations or a closely related field AND two (2) years of experience in journalism, marketing, advertising, communication, public relations or a closely related field.

OR

Bachelor’s degree AND three (3) years of experience in journalism, marketing, advertising, communication, public relations or a closely related field.

OR

Five (5) years of experience in journalism, marketing, advertising, communication, public relations or a closely related field.

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.