Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Communications Specialist, Washington County Health Partners, Inc. - Washington, PA

Posted: 1/19/10

SUMMARY
The communications Specialist is a full-time, salaried, team member of Washington County Health Partners, Inc. (WCHP) and is responsible for supporting of all aspects of communications. This position requires excellent communication (verbal and written), presentation, interpersonal, general office organization, computer, and problem solving skills. The ideal candidate will have an interest in the community health field and previous experience in project management, collateral material design and execution, communications, marketing, public relations, advocacy, fundraising and website design, programming and maintenance. WCHP is a not-for-profit.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Create and maintain the brand and positive public identity for WCHP in collaboration with its executive director, staff, board of directors, service providers and community partners.
2. Position WCHP in the media as a credible organization related to community health issues. Proactively promote WCHP and its programs, partners and clients to the media and the public. Work with the media on proactively promoting advocacy messages related to issues of importance to WCHP through editorials, editorial board meetings, public service announcements and other outlets. Conduct public press conferences and other public events to reach media as necessary. Provide press releases to the media.
3. In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop strategic relationships and partnerships with key audiences including: legislators, policy makers, media representatives, funders, community leaders and other key stakeholders.
4. Support effective communications among executive director, staff, board of directors, task forces, service providers, community partners, funders, potential funders and elected officials.
5. Provide input on, support for and execute WCHP’s on-going advocacy, communications, and fundraising plans. (May include collaboratively working with “customers” for content expertise and to design collateral materials such as, brochures, flyers, newsletters, annual reports, factsheets, etc.)
6. Maintain WCHP’s websites and provide suggestions for improvement and streamlining.

Other duties:
* Arranging and staffing communication/advocacy-related meetings and taking minutes; scheduling meetings on and off-site; determining attendees’ availability and confirming meetings; arranging catering;
* Providing information and assistance to inquiries from individuals and organizations;
* Keeping a calendar and responding to availability inquiries; scheduling appointments;
* Providing a range of administrative and clerical support for communications-related projects (such as draft letters, memos, agendas, faxes; prepare presentations; photocopy and distribute memos, correspondence and routine mailings; make travel arrangements; format, proof, and edit for errors; typing; word processing; filing; data entry, etc.);
* Completing expense reports and timesheets;
* Creating and maintaining an office filing system (both paper and electronic) for communications files and records (including electronic databases), and organize and maintain current communication office files and program files;
* Expanding and keeping up-to-date contact lists and databases
* Learning and understanding WCHP’s community health assessment issues and acquiring an ability to anticipate the support, tools and supplies needed;
* Participating as an effective team member of WCHP; and
* Performing other duties as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential
duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge,
skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
* Good working knowledge of computers and software, including Microsoft Windows and Office suite (Word, Access, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, Outlook); design and publishing software (such as Quark, Adobe Professional/Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.); website development and maintenance software (such as Dreamweaver, etc.) and Internet research.
* Excellent organizational, listening, interpersonal, and communications (verbal and written) skills.
* Must be a self-starter who is motivated and well-organized with attention to detail and capable of meeting deadlines and working independently with minimal supervision.
* Able to maintain flexibility/adapt to abrupt changes in plans.
* Ability to analyze problems and generate solutions.
* Familiarity with basic office procedures and protocol.
* Proof of citizenship or permission to work in the United States.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing or similar field required. Experience in the community health field (or nonprofit organization) required. Experience in communications, public relations, media relations, project management for a health-related or non-profit required. Experience and education in advocacy and fundraising preferred. Some experience in design and website programming preferred, but not required. Experience working with Committees, Task Forces and volunteers preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Maintains a valid Drivers License.

WORK ENVIRONMENT and ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Work is performed in office settings, but may include travel to community sites. Must be able to perform essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Hand-eye coordination and fine-manipulation skills are necessary to operate computers and various office machines. This position also requires good listening skills and occasional lifting of 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Work Schedule: 40 hours/week, but more hours may be required at certain times and less at others. Evenings, early morning hours, and weekends may be required.

SALARY & BENEFITS
The Communications Specialist is a full time salaried position. Benefits to employees only include Health Insurance, vision, dental and paid time off. Some telecommuting and flexible work hours may be considered.

TO APPLY: Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, references, and salary history. Applications are due by 4:00 pm on Monday, February 1, 2010. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applicants should NOT contact WCHP to find out about the status of their applications. Applications via email are encouraged.

Send applications to:

Lee Rutledge-Falcione, MPH
Executive Director
Washington County Health Partners, Inc.
190 North Main Street, Suite 208
Washington, PA 15301
(P) 724-222-6511, ext. 16
(F) 724-222-6685
lrf@wchpinc.org
www.wchpinc.org

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT WCHP is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition.

Please mention that you heard about this opportunity from Dewey & Kaye Jobs Watch in your cover letter when applying for this position.

Please mention that you heard about this opportunity from Dewey & Kaye Jobs Watch in your cover letter when applying for this position.

The Dewey & Kaye division of McCrory & McDowell LLC provides strategy development, planning, financial sustainability, facilitation, training and executive search services to help nonprofits, foundations, community collaboratives and government agencies address strategic, operational and administrative issues.

Founded in 1951, McCrory & McDowell LLC today ranks as one of the largest accounting and consulting firms in the region, offering a wide range of services through distinct, but integrated groups that include Dewey & Kaye, Diversified Medical Management, Three Rivers Institute, and McCrory & McDowell's accounting, tax, and business consulting practices.