Communication Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Maternal Child Health Communications Specialist Helpline, Community Resources Referrals Job Details

Job Title: Communications Specialist (Maternal Child Health) Helpline, Community Resources Referrals

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Work Arrangement: Remote

Residency Requirement: Candidates must reside in Indiana

First-Day Onsite Requirement: Must report onsite in Indianapolis on the first day of work to pick up equipment

Number of Openings: 3

Employment Type: Contract

Estimated Start Date: November 30, 2026

Estimated End Date: September 30, 2027

Contract Duration: Approximately 10 months

Submission/Application Deadline: November 4, 2026

Candidate Pay Rate: $34.00 per hour

Training Schedule: 8:30 AM5:00 PM for 46 weeks

Regular Working Hours After Training: 10:30 AM7:00 PM Eastern Time

Work Schedule: Specific workdays and weekly hours not provided

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Communications, Social Work, Information Technology, Education, Special Education, Home Visiting, or a related health or human services field

Position Overview

The Communications Specialist supports a maternal and child health helpline that connects mothers, pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and families with community services, information, referrals, and resources. The position helps identify barriers to accessing services and connects families with appropriate programs and providers.

The role also supports statewide efforts to reduce infant mortality by providing screening and referral services to eligible pregnant women in targeted counties, including direct outreach and referrals to home visiting services and other resources.

The successful candidate will help families navigate maternal and child health services while maintaining accurate records, following established intake and referral processes, and supporting effective coordination among service providers and community partners.

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree or higher in Communications, Social Work, Information Technology, Education, Special Education, Home Visiting, or a related health or human services field

Required Skills / Experience

Experience: 3 years of experience in positions involving maternal needs, special needs, or work with very young children

Experience: 3 years of knowledge or experience related to typical and atypical child development and special needs conditions

Experience: 3 years of prior experience utilizing databases and producing data reports

Knowledge of social service and medical providers to whom helpline referrals are made

Ability to develop specialized knowledge of Information and Referral (IR) services and services available throughout Indiana

Excellent listening skills and the ability to assess callers' situations and needs and determine appropriate referrals

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with professionals and the general public

Compassion, understanding, and a nonjudgmental approach when working with people facing difficult situations

Logical thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to remain composed during stressful circumstances, including suicide, abuse, and crisis calls

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Ability to multitask, prioritize, and adapt to changing needs

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint

Well-developed written and verbal communication skills

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Ability to maintain attention to detail, interpret policies, resolve problems, and use good judgment when guiding callers toward appropriate resources

Preferred Skills / Experience Nice to Have

Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, Burmese, or Haitian Creole

Job Responsibilities Helpline Operations and Client Support

Handle a high volume of incoming and outgoing calls efficiently

Help families navigate resources and referrals throughout the maternal and child health life cycle

Complete intake and screening processes accurately and thoroughly

Identify clients' barriers to accessing services and connect them with appropriate community resources

Conduct screening and referral services for eligible pregnant women in targeted counties

Contact eligible pregnant women directly and refer them to home visiting services and other resources

Follow up with clients engaged in the system to help ensure service quality

Community Resources and Referral Coordination

Develop in-depth knowledge of early childhood systems and programs, including Help Me Grow IN, Home Visiting, Early Childhood, Special Education, and Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Understand program eligibility requirements, referral and application processes, due process information, and related support services

Maintain knowledge of community resources and service providers throughout Indiana

Assist in identifying gaps and barriers to services and trends in system issues experienced by families

Apply Information and Referral (IR) standards and use the Vision Link Database

Send confirmation letters and resource information to referral sources

Data Reporting and Recordkeeping

Assist in maintaining filing systems for all cases

Support the Lead Communication Specialist in producing caller data reports

Report daily call volumes and other data filters, including referrals, call types, needs, and providers

Maintain attention to detail when recording and processing client information

Teamwork, Communication, and Professional Development

Attend staff meetings, conferences, and workshops to enhance professional skills and stay informed about systems and current best practices for working with mothers, children, and families

Work effectively as a team member and assist other staff members as needed

Maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external partners to support daily problem-solving and interpretation of regulations and policies

Communicate effectively with diverse groups of employees and partners with different functions and skill levels

Work with relevant staff and contractors to support compliance with helpline requirements

Program and Compliance Support

Represent the maternal and child health program and its internal and external partners in statewide coordination activities

Support adherence to agency, state, and federal requirements

Interpret policies and regulations, resolve problems, and use sound judgment when determining appropriate referrals