Canton Public Information & Health Communications Manager

Starting Salary:  $59,083 (+$10 - $20/hour in benefits)

Employment with the Canton City Public Health Department comes with a full array of benefits.  We offer comprehensive health insurance, paid vacations, paid holidays, a retirement plan, and sick time.

Interested in this position? Please submit your application through governmentjobs.com/careers/cantonohio by clicking the “Apply” button on the posting. Applicants MUST submit a copy of a valid driver's license or other photo ID along with their application and any other pertinent documentation.

This is an open examination. To be eligible for this position, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or have a permanent resident card. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Health Promotion, or other related field.Position Summary:
The Public Information & Health Communications Manager leads Canton City Public Health’s communications, public information, and community engagement efforts to advance awareness of public health programs, services, and priorities. Serving as the department’s Public Information Officer (PIO), this position develops and implements strategic communication initiatives, manages public messaging and media relations, and supports emergency and risk communications. 

The position collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to promote community engagement, strengthen public trust, and ensure communications align with organizational goals, public health best practices, and accessibility standards. The Public Information & Health Communications Manager provides supervision and direction to the Performance Improvement & Accreditation Coordinator and supports organizational accreditation, performance improvement, and communications continuity efforts.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to public health practice and embrace the mission, vision, and values of Canton City Public Health.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
I. Strategic Planning & Communications

• Develop and manage the department’s communication plan, branding guide, and messaging strategies and campaigns for public health programs.  
• Conduct audience analysis and evaluate communication campaign effectiveness using engagement and performance metrics.  
• Develop communication strategies tailored to diverse populations and priority public health initiatives.  
• Support internal communication initiatives that promote organizational awareness, employee engagement, emergency notifications, and consistent agency messaging.
• Regularly communicate with team members and community members.        
• Collaborate with all divisions of CCPH to support communication, outreach, education, and public awareness activities.  
• Develop data visualizations, infographics, dashboards, and reports that communicate public health trends and outcomes to internal and external audiences.  

II. Public Information Officer (PIO) Duties    

• Handle media inquiries, write press releases, and manage public relations for routine matters and public health emergencies.  

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise direct report staff: assign duties; complete employee evaluations, career development, training matrix responsibilities, and disciplinary actions (as necessary); oversee the accuracy and completeness of work, etc., in collaboration with the HPP Director.
• Create and revise processes and policies to ensure efficient department communications.
• Serve as an active member of the Division Leadership Team (DLT), collaborating on division operations, strategic planning, resource allocation, policy development, and organizational decision-making. 

IV. Content Development & Digital Strategy   

• Create and update content for social media, websites, and newsletters to ensure accuracy and accessibility.  
• Monitor social media analytics, website traffic, and campaign performance to improve engagement and outreach effectiveness.
• Monitor and respond appropriately to public comments, misinformation, and emerging communication concerns in coordination with department leadership.
• Prepare communication performance reports and recommend strategies for improving public engagement and outreach effectiveness.
• Communicate scientific, technical, and public health information in clear, accurate, and accessible language for diverse audiences. 
• Capture and produce photography, video, and multimedia content supporting public health communication initiatives.

V. Accessibility & Inclusive Communication Standards 

• Ensure all digital and printed communications comply with accessibility and plain language best practices, including ADA, Section 508, and digital accessibility best practices where applicable.  Develop culturally responsive messaging appropriate for diverse community populations.  

VI. Community Outreach, Education, & Engagement   

• Develop educational materials and campaigns for health initiatives (e.g., vaccination clinics, disease prevention).  
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, healthcare partners, media outlets, and stakeholders to enhance public awareness and trust in public health initiatives.  
• Plan and promote agency events to enhance visibility and community involvement.  
• Oversee and maintain the CCPH website, ensuring user accessibility and relevant content.  
• Increase public awareness and engagement through strategic communication initiatives.  
• Support public confidence in public health programs through timely and accurate communication.  
• Improve community access to reliable health information.  

VII. Emergency Preparedness and Response   

• Serve as the PIO, creating messaging and media communications for emergencies.  
• Coordinate and implement outreach and communication strategies for preparedness initiatives.  
• Assist with Public Health Emergency Response communication plans and participate in public health emergency response activities.  
• Collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to ensure response readiness.  
• Document planning meetings and prepare organizational publications for diverse audiences.  
• Participate in Incident Command System (ICS) communication functions during public health emergencies.  
• Assist in risk communication and crisis communication planning.  
• Maintain readiness to support emergency operations outside normal business hours when activated.  

VIII. Performance Improvement & Accreditation Standards   

• Coordinate CCPH's social media presence with adherence to PHAB standards.  
• Assist in leading quality improvement projects and initiatives.  
• Contribute to organizational strategic planning activities. 
• Participate in activities supporting agency accreditation and public health goals.  
• Collaborate on educational materials and outreach efforts with various teams and partners.  
• Establish effective relationships with stakeholders to enhance communication efforts.  
• Ensure all communications align with established best practices and principles.        

IX. Other  Responsibilities  

• Attend and actively participate in internal and external meetings and workgroups, as required.  
• Complete assigned contract deliverables.  
• Maintain communications records and materials in accordance with applicable public records retention requirements and agency policies.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Minimum Qualifications and Credentials:
The following must be acquired and maintained prior to initial hire.  

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Health Promotion, or a related field.
• A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or community engagement, with a preference for experience in public health.
• Ability to hold a flexible schedule; hours will include evenings and weekends.

Skills :  

• Proficiency with graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva), social media management platforms, and content management systems.  
• Strong technical skills in Microsoft Office Suite and digital communication tools.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading abilities, with a focus on clarity, tone, and accessibility.  
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, capable of managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.  
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to interact professionally with diverse audiences.  
• Knowledge of branding principles, strategic communication, and modern media channels.
• Experience working in public health, healthcare, government, nonprofit, or emergency management.
• Experience with photography, videography, graphic design, and multimedia production.
• Familiarity with risk communication principles and health literacy concepts.  

 
Additional Requirements:   

• Reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license.
• Willingness to work occasional overtime and some weekends, if necessary.  
• Ability to work independently and generate original content while maintaining regular and predictable attendance.  

The following must be acquired and maintained. These credentials are not required at initial hire but must be obtained within 12 months of hire.

• Core NIMS/ICS Training Requirements for PIO. Training will be provided for all these credentials.

Work Environment:
The Public Information & Health Communications Manager will operate in a hybrid work environment, primarily in an office setting within CCPH. The role will mainly involve sedentary to light activities, such as sitting, walking, climbing, reaching, and communicating. In field settings, the position may occasionally expose the manager to adverse conditions, including challenging weather, emergency-response situations, and emotionally sensitive or high-stress interactions. Responsibilities may include attending community events, photographing outreach activities, supporting emergency operations, and conducting media interviews.

The manager will utilize standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets, to perform daily tasks. Additionally, the role may require various physical tasks, including standing, walking, and handling materials with the hands, with the ability to lift and move items weighing up to 30 pounds when necessary.

Ability to hold a flexible schedule; hours will include evenings and weekends. 
City vehicles will be provided for work activities/work travel with supervisor approval. Travel may be required outside of Canton and occasionally, overnight.  

Reasonable accommodation, in accordance with ADA Compliance, will be made available to those who need it to achieve the above descriptions.

Benefits:
This position takes part in a pension plan from the Ohio Public Employment Retirement System.
Eligible for insurance (medical, dental, vision, life), paid sick leave, paid vacation, and paid holidays.  

Key Competencies:
Canton City Public Health has adopted The Council on Linkages Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (www.phf.org/corecompetencies).  Employees must possess skills associated with the competencies appropriate for assigned tier level.       

Canton City Public Health has adopted Organizational Competencies that all employees are expected to achieve (800-031-P_Canton City Public Health Organizational Competencies).

Professional competencies associated with public health communications, health literacy, emergency risk communication, media relations, and community engagement apply to this position.

SHOULD TEN OR FEWER QUALIFIED APPLICATION BE RECEIVED, AN EXAMINATION MAY NOT BE REQUIRED UNLESS TESTING IN NEEDED TO MERGE APPLICANTS ONTO AN EXISTING LIST. NAMES WILL BE PLACED ON AN ELIGIBILITY LIST IN ACCORADANCE WITH THEIR APPLICATION FILING DATE. SHOULD MORE THAN TEN QUALIFIED APPLICANTS REGISTER FOR THIS EXAMINATION THOSE APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE FORMAT, LOCATION, DATE, AND TIME OF THE EXAMINATION.

RATING
Your name will be placed on a list of eligible candidates upon receiving a passing score. Once the list has been established, your name will remain on the list for a period of one (1) year.

*DISCLAIMER*

All applicants should receive an email from [email protected] confirming that their application was received. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact Civil Service at [email protected] to confirm that your application went through.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VETERANS
As provided in ORC 124.23C, any person who has completed service in the uniformed services, who have been honorably discharged from the uniformed services or transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service, and who is an Ohio resident and any member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio National Guard, who has completed more than 180 days of active duty service pursuant to an executive order of the President of the United States or an act of Congress of the United States may file with the director a certificate of service or honorable discharge (DD-214 – Long version), and upon this filing, the person shall receive an additional credit of twenty percent (20%) of the person’s total grade given in the examination in which the person receives a passing grade.
   
A member in good standing of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio National Guard, who successfully completes the member’s initial entry-level training shall receive a credit of fifteen percent (15%) of the person’s total grade given in the examination in which the person receives a passing grade.
 
NOTICE OF DRUG TESTING REQUIREMENT
Pursuant to Civil Service Rules applicants are hereby advised that the position of employment being examined for MAY be subject to a drug test. The results of the drug test may affect the hiring status of any candidate in consideration.
 
NOTICE OF BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
Be advised that candidates MAY be subjected to a confidential background investigation, including, but not limited to, a criminal record check and driving record check.

ADA COMPLIANCE
Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA Compliance will be made available upon request to those qualified applicants in need of it, in order to achieve the essential job functions as described above.
 
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for appointment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, age, type of disability, or any other non-merit factor.