Public Information Officer

Media Relations Specialist

We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.

As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact. No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:

• Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team – Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths
• Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
• Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you

As a Media Relations Specialist within the West Central Health District at the Georgia Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.

This position will be based in Columbus, GA and will travel throughout West Central Health District's 16-county health departments and is responsible for maintaining and promoting a positive public image for West Central Health District. Duties include preparing media releases, speeches, print and web-based communications, website content, and social media messaging designed to increase public awareness of the agency's programs, services, initiatives, accomplishments, and public health priorities.

This is Not a Remote Position. You will support the Department by utilizing your expertise to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Supervise office support staff.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of a strategic marketing and communication plan to advance West Central Health District's strategic business and operational program initiatives, services, and profile, through both web-based, social marketing and traditional communication mediums.
• Write articles, news releases, briefs, and announcements on relevant West Central Health District's program information, and publish through social media, the WCHD website, and via media outlets.
• Manage the WCHD website and all social media channels.
• Communicate with WCHD leadership team members and health department staff regarding the promotion of WCHD services and initiatives to devise and implement a branding strategy for West Central Health District and its programs and services.
• Serve as the District's Risk Communicator when emergencies or crisis situations arise.
• Establish systems to track, monitor, and summarize progress of strategic and operational initiatives in marketing and communications.
• Ensure external communication procedures and policies for agency-wide compliance are well documented and communicated to all staff and partners.
• Provide high level marketing and communications technical assistance and consultation to WCHD Leadership Team and program supervisors.
• Provide program-related information to the press and general public and respond to inquiries from the media.
• Coordinate the development of marketing materials, informational brochures and publications.
• Assist in the development of professional presentations and abstracts for conferences, workshops and training sessions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Media Relations Specialist 2 - (Hire-in salary - $55,000.00) Associate's degree in communication, journalism, or other closely related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of media relations job-related experience; or Associate degree in communication and journalism or related field from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of experience at the lower-level Media Relations Specialist 1 (GSP150) or position equivalent. Media Relations Specialist 3 - (Hire-in salary - $60,500.00) Associate's degree in communication, journalism, or other closely related field from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of job-related media relations experience; or one (1) year of experience at the lower-level Media Relations Specialist 2 (GSP151) or position equivalent. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, or other closely related field from an accredited college or university and at least 2 years of job-related experience. Bilingual (English & Spanish speaking) preferred. Experience in serving as a spokesperson for an organization to the media, partners, venders and/or stakeholders. Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills. Proficient in all MS Office applications and the Adobe Creative Suite, Web design and social media management experience, a plus.

All West Central Health District 7 employees are deemed essential workers in the event of an emergency. As such, you may be called on to participate in an event including but not limited to staffing a shelter, working at a Specimen Point of Collection Site (SPOC) and/or working at a Point of Dispensing site (POD). If you are called on to participate, you are required to report to the designated site as a condition of employment, whether the emergency occurs during or outside regular work hours.

The DPH Commissioner and agency leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being. The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and help employees meet their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes of physical activity may be allocated per workday, typically in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

State of Georgia employees are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board regarding salary.

DPH accepts educational credentials recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) as valid. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degrees, diplomas, licensures, and other relevant credentials.

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.

Relocation assistance is not provided.

In the event of an identified emergency, you may be required, as a term and condition of DPH employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

DPH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, email View email address on click.appcast.io.

DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer.