Job Description

C-CORE Education & Health Communication Specialist

PHMC is proud to be a leader in public health. PHMC requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before the first day of employment. We will offer the vaccination at no cost via our Health Centers.

DEPARTMENT: Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)

DIVISION: Division of HIV Health (DHH)

OVERVIEW: HIV clusters and outbreaks are signals that specific people and places are experiencing rapid transmission, which occurs because affected communities are not being reached by existing services due to stigma, discrimination, racism, poverty, and other social and structural factors. The HIV Centers for Cluster and Outbreak Response Enhancement (HIV C-CORE) Education & Health Communication Specialist plays a key role in designing and implementing communication strategies and educational materials that address the unique needs of communities disproportionately impacted by ongoing HIV transmission. This position will support efforts to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and increase access to HIV services within affected communities, with a strong emphasis on engaging local stakeholders, including community members and organizations, to strengthen HIV response activities. The Education & Health Communication Specialist will work closely with the C-CORE team and external partners to develop culturally relevant health communication materials, facilitate community engagement efforts, and enhance outreach strategies that foster trust and understanding in networks of ongoing HIV transmission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with community organizations, leaders, and members to co-design HIV-related communication materials, ensuring they resonate with local populations and effectively address stigma, misinformation, and barriers to healthcare.
• Lead the development and implementation of public health campaigns focused on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care in networks experiencing recent and rapid transmission of HIV.
• Work closely with the C-CORE team to integrate communication strategies into the broader HIV outbreak response plan, ensuring that messaging aligns with the latest epidemiological data and community needs.
• Organize and facilitate regular community advisory board (CAB) meetings, focus groups, and listening sessions to gather feedback from affected populations, and collaborate with public health professionals, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders to ensure community-informed responses.
• Track the effectiveness of health communication initiatives through community feedback, surveys, and other evaluation methods to continually refine strategies and ensure optimal engagement.
• Stay informed of the latest HIV data, cluster-specific trends, and outbreak responses to ensure communication materials are up-to-date and relevant to current public health priorities.
• Prepare detailed reports on communication activities, outcomes, challenges, and successes, and share findings with internal and external stakeholders to inform future programming and policy development.
• Offer guidance and support to community partners on the development and delivery of health education and HIV-related communication activities.
• Support the training of community health workers, peer educators, and other stakeholders in effective health communication techniques related to HIV care and prevention.
• Attend case review and community action team (CRT and CAT) meetings.

SKILLS:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Deep understanding of the social and cultural factors influencing health behavior in communities impacted by HIV
• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including public health professionals, community members, and organizations
• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with local stakeholders, including community-based organizations, peer groups, and health providers
• Ability to design innovative communication materials and campaigns that are tailored to the needs and preferences of high-risk populations
• Must be organized
• Ability to assess community needs, evaluate program effectiveness, and adjust communication strategies accordingly
• Cultural humility and enthusiasm for meaningfully engaging with members of communities impacted by HIV who are diverse in terms of race and ethnicity, national and regional origin, age, class and educational background, sexual identity, and gender identity

EXPERIENCE:

• Required: Minimum of two years of experience in public health communication, education, or related fields, particularly focusing on HIV or other infectious diseases in underserved communities
• Preferred: Experience with HIV prevention, treatment education, or health communication in the context of HIV clusters or outbreaks
• Prior involvement in community engagement activities or working with populations disproportionately impacted by HIV is highly desirable.
• We strongly encourage individuals with lived experience and/or identities related to populations disproportionately impacted by HIV to apply.

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor's degree program in public health or a related field at an accredited college or university with a minimum of the experience listed above (completion of a master's degree program in public health or a related field may count toward one year of public health program experience)

SALARY: Commensurate with experience

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

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