Communication and Education Specialist

CDPH is currently hiring for a Communication and Education Specialist (Health Program Specialist I) within our Center for Family Health's (CFH) Genetic Disease Screening Program (GDSP) Division. In this role, you will function as a highly skilled technical program consultant responsible for performing duties relating to the planning, developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating communications and education programs and activities for the GDSP Division. You will also provide expert consultation and assist in the development of complex communication strategies, education materials, and outreach plans that support the Division’s mission and goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides highly skilled, specialized, and complex technical assistance to GDSP as well as providing consultation, partnership, and coordination with GDSP program managers and state partners to facilitate the communication of information to and from GDSP to stakeholders, providers, and program recipients related to GDSP programs

• Coordinates, plans, implements, and evaluates the development of complex, high-stakes health education materials for the entire GDSP by writing patient education materials in a suitable literacy-level and a culturally appropriate manner, including designing written materials using available computer software, developing layout, and producing graphics and illustrations using computer and other design techniques for the development of various documents (e.g., newsletters, patient/provider fact sheets and handbooks, videos, public service announcements, etc.) to support GDSP’s work

• Creates and/or oversees creation of storytelling and presentations using videos, social media, blogs, infographics, professional texting, interactive activities, and other relevant modalities that would be appropriate for working with diverse, low-resource, and low-literacy communities

• Uses cloud-based programs for email blasts, surveys, and other communications; works with website coordinator to design web pages; and edits and prepares all documents/materials consistent with government document accessibility requirements, the GDSP document review process, and the requirements of CDPH’s Office of Communications

• For printed materials, works closely with the state printer or other printing vendor to prepare final document specifications and develops necessary steps to distribute printed materials to targeted audiences

• Researches and develops cutting-edge evidenced-based techniques for effective public health outreach education and communication, and researches best practices using materials available through professional literature and reputable Internet sites and by conferring with fellow Health Program Specialist staff

• Assesses provider and patient education needs through the development of surveys and focus groups when needed, and incorporates findings and knowledge gained into strategies to facilitate the flow of information required to support changes in, and for the effective maintenance of GDSP, including the development of Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses

• Supports stakeholder communications by working with various California providers, professional societies, advocacy organizations, and health care insurers; participates in appropriate interagency efforts to coordinate the promotion and/or the evaluation of program policies and services; and coordinates high-level division wide public health campaigns with GDSP program leads

• Serves as lead in developing, organizing, and monitoring the implementation of comprehensive communication plans, and identifies gaps and weaknesses in current approaches, in part by regularly completing a comprehensive review of health education materials that need to be updated or rewritten to meet the needs of any new program policies and procedures

• Analyzes current trends; researches and evaluates various types of data from appropriate sources; and conducts needs assessments to determine target audiences to develop new strategies to communicate key messages with selected target audiences, including plans to measure the effectiveness of new materials and educational activities

Telework Policy and Residency Requirement:

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Minimum Qualifications:

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in health program administration, at least one (1) year of which shall have been with major responsibility for a significant program, such as is normally found in a complex or departmentalized medical care delivery setting or health institution or organization. Possession of a Doctoral Degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Health Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related health professional field may be substituted for up to one year of the required general experience.

and

Possession of a Master's Degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Hospital Administration, Comprehensive Health Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related health professional field (1 year of additional specialized qualifying experience may be substituted for the required master's degree).

Desirable Qualifications:

• Training and experience working in the field of health communications, including public health promotion and health education activities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including addressing ADA compliance requirements

• Excellent facilitation, coordination, project management, and organizational skills to meet critical deadlines

• Experience or interest in storytelling and presentations using videos, websites, social media, blogs, infographics, and other relevant modalities

• Commitment to developing and maintaining an up-to-date and extensive knowledge base related to genetic disease screening, health communications (including current trends in digital media/social media), health education, and health equity

• Commitment to creating materials for marginalized, disadvantaged, or low-resource communities; non-English-speaking communities; or communities with literacy needs

• Bilingual in English, Spanish, or Chinese

About California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

At CDPH, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do. The Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

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