You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

JC-473073 - Communications Specialist

California Department of Public Health
Email

The position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan enhancing preparedness and response for emerging public health threats through provision of leadership, guidance, and advance coordination and collaboration across a variety of complex program areas including policy, equity, public health practice, communications, access to clinical expertise, epidemiology, and pursuit of funding opportunities. Watch We Are CDPH to learn more.

The Regional Public Health Office (RPHO) was established in March 2023. Our mission is to strengthen public health capacity across all regions by fostering trusting and collaborative state and local partnerships. We work closely with local health jurisdiction (LHJ) leaders to address complex public health challenges, pool resources, share knowledge, and promote communication and coordination. We offer technical assistance to rural and under-resourced LHJs in support of regional goals, priorities, and projects, particularly in the areas of epidemiology and communication strategies.? We also oversee the local allocation of the Future of Public Health funds and the California Strengthening Public Health Initiative.

Our Goals

  • Add value to enhance, not replace, existing state and local structures.
  • Facilitate regional discussions to address cross-cutting public health challenges.
  • Identify gaps, share best practices, and explore opportunities for regional coordination.
  • Elevate regional priorities to inform statewide policies and strategic planning.
  • Connect LHJs and regions to CDPH subject matter experts and resources.

We provide a dedicated team made up of regional program coordinators, epidemiologists, communication specialists, and program specialists who work closely with assigned public health regions to ensure seamless coordination, effective communication, science and data analysis, and funding support.

THERE IS ONE VACANCY BEING ADVERTISED ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES. THE CANDIDATE WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN THE COUNTY NEAREST THE RESIDENCE OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE. THE COUNTIES ARE:  Shasta, Sacramento, Butte, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Richmond, San Mateo, Fresno, Kern, San Joaquin, San Bernadino, Ventura, Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

The candidate works under the administrative direction of the Health Program Manager (HPM) III, Assistant Deputy Director of the Regional Public Health Office (RPHO).

The Communications Specialist (Information Officer II) assists in standardizing messaging, developing materials for public consumption including social media, public service announcements, info graphics and messaging that is culturally competent in addressing the population needs of the Public Health Region. The Communications Specialist position works closely in collaboration with CDPH’s Office of Communications and other Centers as needed. The Communications Specialist team members will be directly assigned one or two of the following Public Health Regions: Rural North, Bay Area, Greater Sierra-Sacramento, Central California, Southern California, and Los Angeles; and may rotate duties as lead liaison with the CDPH Office of Communications. The Communications Specialists will work collaboratively as a team to support and provide back up to their Communications Specialist counterparts as needed. This position requires up to 20% travel.

To be considered for this position, please submit your application, resume, and cover letter by the final file date. Fill out the application carefully and completely with supervisor contact information and employment history, as incomplete applications are removed from consideration. Need assistance filling out your state application? Check out our How to Apply for a Job at CDPH.

Please ensure you are currently on the Information Officer II exam list and carefully review the duty statement, state pay for this classification, and benefits to ensure it is the right fit for you.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

  • Minimum 2 years’ experience working with local and regional communities in California; including experience with or at local health departments.
  • Minimum 2 years’ experience working with media and drafting public communication materials including press releases, media advisories and talking points.
  • A skilled and proactive communicator who demonstrates commitment to quality work.
  • Able to handle pressure and manage multiple tasks concurrently.
  • A team player that approaches assignments with a positive attitude.
  • Have strong organizational skills, able to work independently and willing to learn new ideas and assist where needed.  
  • Able to work with and lead multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Communicate with and convene a large group of internal and external stakeholders, including state and local program representatives and senior department leadership.
  • Ability to identify and resolve a broad range of complex governmental and programmatic challenges.
  • Demonstrate the ability to lead and manage multiple projects and daily tasks.
  • Equity-minded, responsive and sensitive to diverse populations.
  • Ability to assess issues and quickly identify the best possible solution(s).
  • Possess excellent and effective written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to collaborate with others.
  • Ability to establish and foster relationships with partners.
  • Ability to analyze program situations and develop effective courses of action to solve them.
  • Attentive to details.
  • Intermediate MS Office Suite expertise- Outlook, Word, Excel, PPT.
  • Proficient in virtual meeting platforms.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=473073

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.