Job Description
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), through its Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness Program (BT-PHP), located within the Division of Disease Control (DDC), is the lead administrative and planning agency for public health emergency preparedness and response in the City of Philadelphia. BT-PHP is responsible for establishing local public health preparedness priorities, developing and testing response plans, coordinating with local, state, and federal partners, and managing the public health response to real events. Due to the complex and resource-intensive nature of public health emergencies, extensive planning is needed to ensure that the City is prepared to respond effectively.
The Outreach Specialist is responsible for supporting communications and outreach efforts related to the COVID-19 response for the Division of Disease Control. This involves developing health communication messages and materials for different audiences. This position will also plan and deliver public health preparedness trainings to the public and service provider agencies. The Outreach Specialist will work with other emergency response partners to build collaborative relationships and ensure mechanisms are in place to effectively communicate with the public, including populations with access and functional needs, during a public health emergency.
This position is full-time, Monday through Friday, with occasional work after hours and on weekends to support Program activities. The position is grant funded for a minimum of one year. Continuation of the position is dependent on sustained grant funding.
Specific Duties:
- Develop and update outreach materials related to the COVID-19 response and other preparedness initiatives including fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, articles, posters, web-based content, and other educational materials.
- Identify and implement a dissemination strategy for these materials to reach a variety of partner agencies including community and faith-based organizations, healthcare entities, and at-risk individuals and communities
- Organize and execute outbreak-related training and educational seminars, including engagement of potential attendees and event management.
- Maintain relationships with community-based organizations and service provider agencies through the provision of trainings and educational materials targeted to meet their needs as well as Public Health Preparedness Program goals.
- Deliver and support comprehensive preparedness training curricula for partner agencies and the public.
- Ensure that risk communication plans and materials align with best practices, as well as local, state and federal guidance.
- Identify effective channels of communication for reaching targeted audiences, including identification of non-mainstream methods to promote important preparedness and emergency response information to at-risk or socially isolated populations.
- Represent DDC and PDPH at local, regional, state and national preparedness meetings. Serve as liaison to other agencies for emergency preparedness efforts, particularly those involving community outreach and at-risk populations.
- Participate in Public Health Preparedness program activities including trainings, exercises, and real public health response activities.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in public health or related field preferred, with an emphasis on health communications or other relevant field from an accredited college or university.
- Previous non-profit or government experience preferred
- Experience in community-based outreach, health education, and/or experience in risk communication activities in a public health or health services agency
- Attention to detail, excellent communication and organizational skills, and the ability to present information effectively to a variety of audiences.
- Excellent English language skills, including composition, grammar, and public speaking, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Desktop publishing or graphic design skills are a plus.
- Equally comfortable working individually and within a team environment.
- Flexibility, professionalism and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Fluency in languages other than English is also desirable
Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
- This job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment of less than 50 pounds and involves viewing a CRT or VDT screen 50 to 75 percent of the time. The position may require some travel and occasional participation in off-site functions. The position requires responding to public health emergencies and some after-hours activities to accommodate training and exercise activities.
Supervision:
- This position reports directly to the Program Manager of Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness.
Salary and Benefits:
- Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position comes with a comprehensive benefits package consisting of medical and dental coverage, paid sick, vacation, and personal time, and a retirement plan.
How to Apply:
- Interested applicants should submit an electronic cover letter that expresses the individual’s interest and expertise along with a resume to:
Emily Klein
Hiring Coordinator, Division of Disease Control
Philadelphia Department of Public Health