Public Health Communications Manager

Introduction

The City of New Haven Health Department is seeking a creative, strategic, and community-focused Public Health Communications Manager to lead communications and outreach efforts that inform, engage, and empower our residents.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced communications professional who knows how to turn complex information into clear, compelling, and accessible messages that make a difference. As a member of the Department's leadership team, you will develop and implement communications strategies, oversee digital and social media platforms, coordinate public health campaigns, manage media relations, and strengthen connections with community partners.

The ideal candidate combines creativity with strategic thinking, strong writing and project management skills, and an understanding of how effective communication can build public trust and promote healthier communities. From everyday health education to time-sensitive public health emergencies, your work will help ensure New Haven residents receive accurate, timely, and culturally responsive information.

If you're passionate about meaningful communication, creative problem-solving, and using your talents to make a positive impact on your community, we encourage you to apply!

Primary Functions

This is a full-time supervisory position at the City of New Haven Health Department that is responsible for developing and implementing the long-term marketing and communications vision of the Department. As a member of the leadership team, this position supports the development and implementation of departmental communications and public education strategies.

Typical Duties And Responsibilities

• Plans and coordinates public health observances, campaigns, and annual communication calendars.
• Creates risk communication / health education materials through print, broadcast, and digital dissemination, including social media.
• Coordinates public-facing messaging for departmental programs.
• Ensures outreach and engagement activities align with departmental priorities and City public health goals.
• Collaborates with program staff to translate technical public health information into accessible formats.
• Develops culturally and linguistically appropriate messaging about important public health and well-being topics or services that impact New Haven residents.
• Coordinates the appearance of Department’s print and electronic materials such as letterhead, use of logo, brochures, etc.
• Ensures staff adherence with brand guidelines for all marketing and communications materials.
• Maintains Department website content and social media platforms.
• Manages the strategic and creative design for the Department including website, social media, video production, and marketing emails.
• Tests marketing materials with key audiences.
• Prepares press materials, public statements, and coordinates media interviews for Department Director and Sections.
• Serves as the primary media contact for the Department.
• Develops and updates branding guidance as needed.
• Develops short- and long-term plans and budgets for the marketing and communications programs/activities, monitors progress, assures adherence with plan and evaluates performance.
• Identifies strategic opportunities and tests new tactics for promoting Departmental services and key topics in public health.
• Leverages partner organizations’ reach to increase our impact with New Haven residents.
• Leads all grant-funded communication deliverables.
• Maintains documentation and reporting for marketing and communications activities.
• Leads the dissemination of approved emergency communications during public health activations.
• Coordinates with the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Mayor’s communication’s team to ensure alignment between operational alerts and public messaging.
• Develops and coordinates public health internship opportunities in partnership with academic institutions and community organizations.
• May coordinate the activities of interns, volunteers, and community health workers as assigned.
• Perform related work as required.
  
  

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, Public Health, Emergency Preparedness, or related field; Master’s Degree preferred, and 3 years’ experience in designing and producing print materials, website management, and social media creation and management, organizing, projects, and exercising analytical and administrative skills, and staff supervision. In lieu of a college degree, an additional 4 years of closely related work experience may be substituted. Spanish / English bilingual proficiency is desirable

Knowledge, Experience, Skills & Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of public relations principles and practices.
• Demonstrated skills, knowledge, and experience in the design and execution of marketing and communications activities.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners, including state agencies, local officials, community organizations, and the public.
• Ability to conduct research and to identify creditable information sources.
• Ability to develop well-written descriptions, media talking points, press releases, correspondence, and materials.
• Experience overseeing the design and production of print materials and publications, website management, and social media content creation and management.
• Experience supervising staff and managing daily workflows.
• Ability to evaluate and assess projects, including marketing campaign performance.
• Ability to document program results for internal use, for use by other agencies, and for grant reports.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other staff members, state agencies, local officials, community organizations and the public.
• Ability to interact in a non-judgmental manner with culturally diverse populations and persons experiencing a wide range of medical social conditions.
• Self-motivated, organized; able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong time and project management skills including organization, prioritization, and multitasking.
• .Ability to communicate effectively in writing and through presentations, public speaking, and interpersonal interactions.
• Ability to communicate in a professional manner with the public and community partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, graphic design (e.g., CAVNA) and email marketing platforms
• Proficiency with social media platforms
• Proficiency in using email clients (e.g., Outlook, Gmail) and calendar applications for scheduling and managing correspondence.
• Experience with updating a website using a content management system (i.e., Word Press, Elementor) and some experience with HTML.
• Knowledge of CLAS standards.
  
  

Necessary Special Requirements

• Flexibility of schedule, this position may occasionally require work to be performed outside of the traditional 9-5 schedule.
• Must have and maintain valid CT drivers’ license.
  
  

This position is aligned with current Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals published by The Council on Linkages between Academia and Public Health Practice.

Public Health Sciences

• Assists with the development and implementation of multiple strategies, initiatives and activities that promote health and prevent disease.
• Assists in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies that address established community health improvement priorities in partnership with public and private organizations.
• Researches and retrieves information regarding evidence-based health promotion and health education initiatives, programs and activities from a variety of text and electronic resources.
• Develop and promote and/or market health education materials and information that are accurate, culturally appropriate and educationally sound.
• Gather, organize and maintain data for program monitoring, evaluation and improvement.
• Good knowledge of the principles, practices and terminology of public health and chronic disease epidemiology; Good knowledge of disease prevention and health promotion programs.
  
  

Analytical/Assessment Skills

• Working knowledge of assessing individual and community health needs ability to collect reliable data and analyze.
  
  

Policy Development/Program Planning Skills

• Assists with the implementation of public health programs and services.
• Ability to plan, implement and evaluate health education strategies, interventions and programs.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of all prevention and promotion programs and outreach effort.
  
  

Communication Skills

• Delivers targeted, culturally-appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand health promotion and disease prevention information, policies, regulations and local code.
• Adheres to ethical principles and policies in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information.
• Good working knowledge of the appropriate use of technology in health prevention and promotion and ability to independently adapt to the fast-changing landscape of technology.
  
  

Cultural Competencies

• Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, and ethnic, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities.
• Ability to learn about and work with all cultures, ethnicity, social economic statuses being respectful and non-judgmental.
  
  

Community Dimensions Of Practice Skills

• Knowledge of communication organizations and services available to provide health and social services for the total health of patients.
• Assists in the development and coordination of community and agency partnerships, initiatives, programs and events to address identified community health priorities and improve population health; develop and implement processes to ensure public involvement and input.
• Provides leadership in the process of developing and applying evidence-based and evidence-building community health improvement strategies into specific, measurable action plans in partnership with public and private organizations.
• Collaborates with community and across the Department to assess population health needs.
• Ability to facilitate/coordinate community stakeholder groups.
• Ability to present, understand and relay all points of view on issues.
  
  

Leadership and Systems Thinking

• Collaborate with internal and external partners in providing for and promoting the health of the population
• Contributes to a work environment where continuous quality improvements in service and professional practice are pursued.
• Demonstrates leadership and management skills; ability to independently manage projects while providing supervisory / oversight to diverse groups of community members.
  
  

Financial Planning and Management

• Collaborates in activities such as time studies that contribute to the development of budgets and the efficient use of resources.
  
  

Physical Requirements

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Amount of Time

Working Environment

Amount of Time

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Stand

X

Wet / humid conditions (non-weather)

X

Walk

X

Work near moving mechanical parts

X

Sit

X

Work in high, precarious places

X

Touch, handle, or feel

X

Fumes / airborne particles

X

Reach with hands & arms

X

Toxic / caustic chemicals

X

Climb or balance

X

Outdoor weather conditions

X

Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

X

Extreme cold (non-weather)

X

Talk or hear

X

Risk of electrical shock

X

Taste or smell

X

Work with explosives

X

Risk of radiation

X

Lifting or force to be exerted?

Vibration

How Much And

how often?

Amount of Time

Utilizes computer workstation & office equipment

X

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Customer / employee interaction (face-to-face)

X

Up to 10 pounds

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 75 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

More than 100 pounds

X

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a Special Fund, "Non-Tested" position.

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 3144, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Bargaining agreements are available to review HERE.

Benefit Information

Employees become eligible to participate in the Medical & Dental benefit plan provided for members of Local 3144. Employees may elect a medical plan including prescription drug and dental coverage, for which employees must contribute a portion of the premium cost. Benefit information can be found online HERE, under the Local 3144 Management & Professional banner.

Eligible employees receive paid vacation, paid sick days, paid personal days, and paid holidays.

Term Life Insurance of $20,000 is provided at no cost to the employee.

Short-Term Disability coverage is also provided at no cost to the employee.

Special Funded employees shall not be covered by the City pension but shall continue to be covered by Social Security; they are eligible to participate in a 457 Plan, which includes a city match of contribution up to 3% of salary. Employees become 100% vested at three years.

The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening in accordance with the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification.

It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process, and in some cases, this information may be used to determine the eligibility list. A hiring decision may be made prior to the removal of the job posting.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.

Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.

We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.

Conclusion

To Apply For This Opportunity:

• Complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use.
• You MUST click on the job posting you are interested in, and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting.
• MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application!
• Review or modify your application for that position
• Click "Ready to Send App" or the "Send" tab; read page and click the attestation
• Click "Send to City of New Haven"
• You will be redirected to "CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION"
• You will also receive an email and text, if a number was provided, confirming your submission
• If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at [email protected]
  
  

Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.