Social Media & Digital Engagement Specialist (Public Health)

General Information Job Code: SHR-HC-02 Location: Ripple Effect Headquarters – Rockville, MD Employee Type: Exempt, Full-Time Regular Telework: Fully Remote Salary Range: $68,385.00 - $76,932.00 (how we pay and promote) Position Overview Are you passionate about bridging science and storytelling to improve public health? As a Social Media & Digital Engagement Specialist you will support public health communications initiatives through the development, management, and dissemination of digital content across multiple channels. This role combines health communications expertise with social media strategy and audience engagement to ensure accurate, accessible, and impactful public health messaging. The incumbent executes communications campaigns, manages digital engagement activities, develops science-based content, monitors performance metrics, and contributes to continuous improvement efforts while working under direct supervision with increasing independence. While not an exhaustive list, key duties for the position include: Managing and maintaining social media content across platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube, and emerging digital channels Developing and executing social media and digital engagement plans that align with public health priorities, communication objectives, and campaign goals Creating and editing a variety of health communication products, including social media content, newsletters, communication plans, messaging documents, marketing collateral, website content, presentations, and outreach materials Translating complex scientific, technical, and public health information into clear, audience-focused messaging using plain language and health literacy best practices Supporting public health social marketing initiatives by coordinating content deployment across multiple communication channels and tracking campaign performance Monitoring audience engagement, social media conversations, and stakeholder interactions while identifying opportunities to improve reach and impact Preparing reports and dashboards that summarize communication metrics, engagement trends, and performance insights Contributing to branding, style guides, communication standards, and quality assurance processes to ensure consistency and compliance across communication products Tracking schedules, editorial calendars, and project timelines to support timely delivery of communications products and campaigns Supporting client and stakeholder engagement through professional communications, meeting participation, and responsive service delivery Identifying communication challenges, recommending improvements, and contributing to continuous process enhancement efforts Providing informal guidance and quality review support for junior team members as appropriate Requirements Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Health, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Digital Media, Health Promotion, or a related field At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in health communications, public affairs, digital communications, social media management, marketing, or related fields Experience developing communication materials and digital content for public-facing audiences Basic Requirements Experience managing organizational social media platforms and implementing content strategies Experience developing written communications products such as newsletters, messaging documents, blog posts, website content, communication plans, or social media campaigns Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to translate technical or scientific information into plain-language content Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to execute instructions. Knowledge of public health communications, audience engagement, and health literacy best practices Experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting communication or social media performance metrics Experience using social media management and scheduling platforms Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint. Skills That Set You Apart Experience supporting federal health agencies such as CDC, NIH, CMS, HHS, or other public health organizations Experience supporting public health awareness campaigns, social marketing initiatives, or health promotion programs Experience with social media management platforms such as Hootsuite, Sprinklr, Sprout Social, Buffer, or similar tools Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility requirements, digital accessibility standards, and plain language guidance Basic knowledge of AI tools, including their limitations and risks, and how they can be applied to support project management tasks. Benefits At Ripple Effect, we reward our employees for their contributions to our mission. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes competitive pay, exceptional benefits, and a range of programs that support your work/life balance and personalized preferences. Learn more about our benefits and culture here. Ripple Effect