Strategic Communications Specialist

The Public Health Institute (PHI) is a large non-profit public health organization conducting a broad range of public health research, training, and technical assistance programs in California, throughout the nation, and around the world. PHI is seeking a full time Strategic Communications Specialist for the Berkeley Media Studies Group (BMSG). This position is located in Berkeley, CA.

BMSG is committed to helping public health professionals and community advocates engage the news media strategically to advance healthy public policies. The Strategic Communicationspecialist will help to advance the field of media advocacy by co-authoring BMSG publications and providing tailored technical assistance to support advocates in developing and carrying out their media advocacy plans. As part of the BMSG training team, they will develop and conduct media advocacy trainings for BMSG clients. Our clients work on public health policy issues including violence prevention, nutrition and physical activity, tobacco control, reproductive health and other issues.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Collaborate with colleagues in designing, conducting, and evaluating media advocacy trainings with a wide range of community groups and public health professionals.
Develop media advocacy training materials, including presentations, interactive training activities, and case studies of public health advocacy campaigns.
Write and edit media advocacy papers and case studies for publication in professional journals, newsletters, websites, and advocacy materials.
Track news coverage of public health issues in traditional and new media (e.g., newspapers and blogs) and provide strategic consultation to support BMSG clients in taking advantage of media advocacy opportunities.
Develop strategic consultation materials, including editing and/or developing news releases, media advisories, talking points, and other products, as directed.
Prepare project progress reports for funders, as directed.
Attend various project, community meetings, and conferences as directed.
Conduct outreach and ongoing communication with potential BSMG clients.
Perform other writing, training and strategic consultation projects as directed.

Qualifications:
A Bachelors degree in public health, public policy, journalism or related field required. A Masters degree is highly preferred.
A minimum of 5 years relevant experience.
Commitment to improving community health through social change and to building capacity in advocates through training and strategic consultation.
Excellent writing, public speaking, and analytical skills.
Experience delivering engaging, effective trainings based on adult learning theory.
Expertise in applying the principles of public health prevention strategies.
Demonstrated understanding of the public policy making process at the local, state, and federal levels. Direct advocacy experience working on public health and social justice campaigns preferred.
Substantial experience working with news organizations, print and/or broadcast. Experience developing communications strategies for advocacy campaigns preferred.
Experience providing effective strategic communications and/or advocacy consultations to a wide range of clients, for example elected officials, public health professionals, and community-based organizations.
Ability to clearly and respectfully edit client materials including press releases, briefing materials, and opinion pieces.
Ability to speak Spanish fluently preferred.
Familiarity with new online communications tools (blogs, e-flicks, etc.).
Willingness to travel throughout California and nationally. (Availability on evenings and weekends occasionally required).
Proficiency on the Macintosh computer using System 10.5 or higher, Microsoft Word 2008 or higher, FileMaker Pro, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to work well with minimal supervision.

Compensation:
This is an exempt position and the annual starting salary range is 51,147 to 53,704 DOE. PHI offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, short/long term disability insurance, life insurance, 403b (group retirement annuity) and partial subsidy of public transportation cost. For more information about PHI’s benefits, visit our benefits page at "http://www.phi.org/about/employment.html

How to apply:
To apply for this position go to www.phi.org and click link in the posting. The closing date for this position is January 15, 2010. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE