The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) seeks to hire an experienced, creative, professional to serve as a Senior Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist for the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS).The Senior Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist is a key position with responsibility for coordinating and facilitating health communications bureau-wide. The position is located within BIDLS’ Office of Health Care Planning. The Senior Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialistworks across BIDLS divisions/offices to identify health communications needs and priorities. Working with subject matter experts, and in collaboration with the DPH Communications Office, the Senior Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist develops and oversee implementation of public awareness campaigns on a wide range of topics including flu, equine encephalitis, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections, among other topic areas. This position is responsible for developing and facilitating dissemination of health communications material for diverse populations throughout the Commonwealth, using a variety of formats and channels such as web content, social media content, posters, and fact sheets. The Senior Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialistalso develops and facilitates dissemination of health communication materials for public health partners, health care providers, and other professionals. Learn more about what it’s like to work at the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences. _Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and are not all inclusive):_ Coordinate and facilitate development of BIDLS’ health communications and public information activities, content and materials, including: * Assess BIDLS’ health communications and public information needs and priorities and identify appropriate strategies to address them. * Consult with subject matter experts and stakeholders (internal and external) to inform development, execution, and evaluation of health communications plans, campaigns, and other health communications/public information activities and materials. * Develop, facilitate execution of, and monitor health communications plans to guide implementation of priority health communication strategies. * Facilitate development and dissemination of technical and scientific information (e.g. epidemiological data, disease mitigation strategies, clinical guidance) for a variety of audiences including consumers, providers, and other stakeholders. * Ensure BIDLS health communication and public information campaigns, activities, and materials comply with BIDLS and DPHs standards and conventions; reflect and align with applicable policies, regulations, and statutes; and advance health equity. * Coordinate with MDPH Communications Office regarding development and implementation of health communications plans, campaigns, and public information activities and materials, including facilitating necessary review and approval. * Monitor, routinely review, and facilitate revisions/updates of health communications and public information content and materials to ensure that content is up-to-date, accurate, and relevant. * Oversee and monitor contracts with vendors of health communication, public information, and related services. * Supervise staff supporting development and execution of BIDLS health communication and public information efforts. * Coordinate and facilitate review of health education material and content developed by local providers, and as associated with BIDLS-supported programming. _Required Qualifications:_ * Ability to translate scientific and technical information/data for both professional and lay audiences. * Competency to organize information and materials to enable effective project monitoring. * Talent to communicate effectively both in writing and orally. * Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem solving with strong decision-making capabilities. * Demonstrated experience in effectively organizing information and thoughts clearly, concisely, and presenting to diverse audiences. _Preferred Qualifications:_ * Strong knowledge of, and experience in working in one or more areas of public health relevant to the prevention and control of infectious diseases. * High competency in applying health communications frameworks and risk communication principles applicable to infectious disease response. * Experience developing and implementing health communications campaigns and strategies that reach and successfully engage diverse audiences. * Capability to using electronic communication tools and strategies, including social media. * Demonstrated experience in conducting formative evaluation to inform communication and information strategies for diverse audiences. * Proficiency with project planning and management, including coordination of multiple projects and the resources necessary to successfully execute them. * Proven ability of working independently, and as part of a team. * Successful completion of an advanced degree in public health or discipline that provides education and training relevant to health communications, health education, or health behavior. * Must be a self-starter. * Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. _About the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS):_ The DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS), predominantly located in Jamaica Plain, provides public health response to infectious disease. These services include programmatic and epidemiologic response, as well as laboratory testing through the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL). Infectious disease response services address concerns of the general public as well as those disproportionately affected by infectious disease through a variety of risk factors. BIDLS administers ongoing disease reporting for over 90 reportable diseases in the state. Disease reporting review and follow-up with clinical providers and local boards of health is a central function of the bureau. Surveillance activity is complemented by an extensive contracted service system. These services are funded through state and federal resources and include prevention education, community outreach screening for infectious disease, immunization services, health service navigation, medical case management, insurance enrollment, housing assistance, and referral and linkage to infectious disease treatment. The SPHL provides scientific expertise and capacity to identify infectious agents, chemical agents, and other toxins that cause human disease. The SPHL is an active partner in joint activities with other bureaus/agencies such as environmental health, food and drug, agriculture, disease prevention and health promotion programs, and public safety. The SPHL is a reference laboratory of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Agent laboratory. SPHL staff work closely with laboratory and disease prevention programs at the CDC, and partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). _About the Department of Public Health:_ The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities. DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems. More information can be found at:* MA Department of Public Health * _Pre-Hire Process:_ A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. # 4 First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: 1. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.* 2. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience.* 3. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.* Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience. _Comprehensive Benefits_ When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! *COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Administrative Services* *Organization: Department of Public Health *Title: *Senior Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist Location: Massachusetts-Boston-250 Washington Street Requisition ID: 23000D4W