Massachusetts Veterans Jobs

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) seeks to hire an experienced, creative, professional to serve as an Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist for the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS). The Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist is a key position working across BIDLS’ divisions, contributing to the development, coordination, and implementation of data-driven health communications plans and associated activities to advance and support public health response to infectious disease. The Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist collaborates with internal and external subject matter experts to identify and address health communications topics, issues, and priorities for BIDLS. The Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist will contribute to health communications on a range of topics including flu, equine encephalitis, HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections, among other areas. The Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist will research, write, and otherwise develop culturally relevant health communications for diverse populations, translating scientific and medical information into messaging appropriate for intended audience and suitable for dissemination through various strategies including print, social media, and other digital channels. This position will contribute to the development of information and materials to inform and educate the public health and health care workforces and will assist in optimizing BIDLS’ webpages as a key source of information for the general public, providers, and others. Learn more aboutwhat it’s like to work at the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences. _Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):_ * Assist and contribute to development of BIDLS’ health communications and public information activities, content and materials, including: * Analyze and summarize data, consult with subject matter experts and research, write, and otherwise develop health communications products (e.g. fact sheets, educational materials, presentations, reports) for dissemination to intended audience(s), which may include the general public, public health and/or health professionals, policy makers, and others. * Prepare and ensure presentation of statistical, scientific, and medical information is clear and appropriate for intended audience(s) for health communications products. * Reviews reports, memoranda, and other written communications for completeness, accuracy, and content. * Contribute to support for development and/or implementation of health communications efforts and products developed by local providers, and as associated with BIDLS-supported programming. * Monitor BIDLS webpages and collaborate with BIDLS subject matter experts and the DPH Communications Office to optimize and improve user experience. * Provide bureau-wide support for website content, ensuring that all BIDLS content is current, relevant, and appropriate for intended audience, and is presented in a manner consistent with BIDLS’ and DPH conventions and requirements; and coordinates with BIDLS subject matter experts to revise or adapt content ensuring creative and informative content. * Evaluate program activities in order to determine progress and effectiveness and to make recommendations concerning any changes needed. * Develop or contribute to the development of talking points, newsletters, or similar communications supports associated with speaking engagements, public events. * Assist in providing training and orientation to other bureau staff around department communications. * Confer with bureau management and other personnel to determine program requirements and availability of resources and to develop the criteria and standards for program evaluation. _Required Qualifications:_ * Able to communicate effectively both in writing and orally. * Capable to translate scientific and technical information/data for both professional and lay audiences. * Capability to organize information and materials to enable effective project coordination and completion. * 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. * Knowledge of, and experience applying health communications frameworks and risk communication principles applicable to infectious disease response. * Experience working with community-based health and human service providers to develop and implement health communication strategies to engage diverse communities, and communicate effectively about public health issues. * Professional experience using web-based and other digital tools and strategies for health communication. * Proven ability of working independently, and as part of a team. * 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) three 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, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. Substitutions: I. 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 experience.* II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.* III. 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 experience.* Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. _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! *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: *Infectious Disease Health Communications Specialist Location: Massachusetts-Boston-250 Washington Street Requisition ID: 240000OI