Communications Director

As the BCD Communications Director, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, planning, development, and management for health education and communication functions in BCD. In addition, this position provides direction and supervision of the Health Education Unit personnel which includes making hiring recommendations, orienting new employees, providing training, counseling, or coaching to employees on performance, and disciplining as necessary. In this position, you can expect to coordinate and maintain contacts and relationships with other sections, bureaus, and external partners as well as local, regional, other state and federal government agencies.

More about the Health Education Unit:

The Health Education Unit provides public health education, communication, and technical assistance to support communicable disease surveillance, prevention, and outbreak response activities. The Unit develops statewide communication and educational materials for local public health staff, healthcare providers, and the general public across a wide variety of communicable disease topic areas, including: enteric, waterborne, vector borne, zoonotic, invasive bacterial, mycotic, sexually transmitted, vaccine preventable, and respiratory diseases, as well as tuberculosis and refugee health.

The Unit provides technical assistance as well as ongoing training to local health departments, tribal health agencies, and healthcare providers related to communicable disease prevention and control. The Unit also provides health education and technical assistance in response to a wide range of communicable disease threats, serving as a core part of the epidemiologic team that conducts outbreak detection, investigation, and response.

The Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Public Health (DPH) is recruiting for a Communications Director for the Bureau of Communicable Diseases (BCD). This position offers the option to work remotely up to 5 days per week and will be headquartered at any of our regional offices. As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you'll also have access to an amazing benefits package, including: 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time. Top rated health plan options starting at $39/month for single plans and $97/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service. Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System, which is considered among the best in the country! Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.

Minimally qualified applicants will have all of the following:

• Experience in a leadership or supervisory role (e.g., coordinating work activities, hiring, assigning, directing, evaluating work, completing performance evaluations, providing training, coaching, managing conflict, developing, and implementing policies and procedures, etc.).
• Experience creating, proofreading, and editing communication materials for a broad spectrum of audiences with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. 
• Experience with current trends in digital or social media. 
• Experience creating, implementing, or overseeing programs in a communications or health education related field. 

Well-qualified applicants will also have one or more of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in public health, health science, health communication, community health, communications, journalism, or related field. 
• Experience working for a state or local government in a communications or health education role. 
• Experience overseeing a team that generates communications plans, media responses, social media content, media campaigns, or educational materials. 
• Experience working in the public health or communicable diseases field. 
• Bilingual skills in Hmong or Spanish* 

*Note: If applicable the selected candidate will be required to complete a language assessment to receive the add-on pay described above.

Your letter of qualifications is limited to 2 pages. For a guide on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here.

The starting salary is between $40.00 to $43.46 per hour (approximately between $83,200 to $90,300 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. A 12-month probationary period is required. Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction.

This position is classified as a Health Services Supervisor and is in pay schedule and range 81/03. An add-on of $1.00 per hour may be paid for bilingual skills in Spanish or Hmong. As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you'll also have access to an amazing benefits package, including: 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays and ample sick time. Top rated health plan options starting at $39/month for single plans and $97/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service. Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System, which is considered among the best in the country! Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program employer.