Communications Specialist

Title: Communications Specialist (VDH00946)

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Spec III

Hiring Range: $45,739 to $62,949

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: ROANOKE HQ

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Consider joining the Virginia Department of Health as we foster healthy and resilient communities. This is your opportunity to serve the public in the Administration Department as Communication Specialist at Roanoke City/Alleghany Health District.

Job Description:
The Communications Specialist manages and produces website content and updates to support to assigned VDH website platforms and provides related administrative and public relations support. This position is responsible for updating existing content, creating and/or editing new material as needed, and implementing solutions to improve the user experience. Ensures accessibility standards are in compliance with state and federal regulations, and ensures that website content is current, relevant, and actionable. Serves as a lead to effectively manage projects and assignments and works collaboratively with others to design and complete digital communications projects and initiatives. Provides consistent quality control and website maintenance.

Duties:
Website Support
• Creates and posts digital communications to support local health district webpages and/or provides support for "The Comms Hub", to include organization and publishing of communication assets from local and national sources, as well as vendor partners
• Writes, reviews, and edits website copy
• Develops web content, selects assets, and optimizes the user experience
• Repackages and simplifies existing content to improve engagement and user experience
• Creates graphics or visuals, including logos or other visual communication elements
• Updates websites with links, digital assets, and written content
• Creates content that meets web accessibility standards, ADA, and Section 508 regulations
• Performs routine updates to the LHD's website, as requested
• Collaborates with Local Health Districts and VDH subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop content; ensures content is current, relevant, and actionable
• May provide support for "The Comms Hub", to include organization and publishing of communication assets from local and national sources, as well as vendor partners
• May maintain cloud file storage system for asset management, including user-friendly file structure and user-friendly titling of assets
• Lends creative and strategic ideas to help further communication innovation efforts
• Manages two-way conversation with community members, empathizing with users to understand communication needs

Project Development
• Works collaboratively and communicates effectively with others to manage, design, and complete digital communications projects and initiatives
• Serves as a lead on assigned projects; ensures timely and accurate completion of project objectives

Marketing Support
• Provides support for marketing activities and initiatives as requested
• Assists with collaborative efforts and interaction with community partners in order to provide service delivery
• May support the distribution, promotion, and maintenance of supported area materials
• Consults with staff to provide support for publication options, printed materials, etc

E. Administrative Support & Technical Assistance
• Ensures that all content is in compliance with VDH, state, and federal laws and regulations
• Provides technical and administrative support to the district for website content and updates
• Provides consistent quality control through routine website audits and ongoing website maintenance
• Collaborates with leadership, SMEs, and staff to establish uniformed standards for content creation

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. May be required by VDH to adjust work hours, location, and job duties and participate in training to meet public health business needs, including emergencies. If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 35 local health districts.

Who We Are: The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) are two health districts in the Commonwealth of Virginia under the Virginia Department of Health and employ approximately 140 staff. RCAHD encompasses the cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem and the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke.

What We Do: RCAHD, which provides services from nine office locations, serves a combined population of over 278,400 people throughout both rural and urban environments and works to promote and encourage healthy behavior, protect the public against environmental hazards, prevent epidemics and the spread of disease, respond to disasters, assist communities in recovery and assure the quality and accessibility of health services for all members of the communities.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 13 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.

Minimum Qualifications
• Experience writing, reviewing, and editing website copy, developing web content, selecting assets, and optimizing the user experience
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical and complex information to plain language
• Experience providing communications and public relations support, such as experience with digital communications projects and initiatives, marketing support, and ensuring quality control
• Experience creating effective, engaging website content
• Knowledge of web design and/or web accessibility
• Ability to work independently and prioritize deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong project management skills and experience providing technical communications and website development expertise to others
• Excellent research and organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to collaborate across teams/departments and maintain effective working relationships
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams

Additional Considerations
• Experience using web content management systems, such as WordPress
• Experience with graphic design platforms such as Canva or Adobe Illustrator
• Understanding e-newsletters / digital marketing, and a preferred understanding of GovDelivery software

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.


Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service's Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website:

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Darlene Smith

Phone: N/A

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Note : Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer