Communications Specialist, Government Relations

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Government Relations Communications Specialist is responsible for developing, coordinating, and executing strategic communications that support the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s (PAMED) advocacy, public policy, and government relations objectives. This position serves as a key resource in translating complex legislative, regulatory, and political issues into clear, compelling communications for members, policymakers, stakeholders, media, and the public. This position plays an important role in communicating PAMED’s legislative priorities, engaging physician members in advocacy efforts, and increasing awareness of public policy issues affecting physicians, patients, and the practice of medicine in Pennsylvania.

This position will work collaboratively with the Government Relations, Membership, Communications, and Executive Leadership teams to promote advocacy initiatives, enhance member engagement in grassroots efforts, and assist in translating complex legislative and regulatory issues into clear and engaging communications that inspire physician participation and demonstrate the value of PAMED membership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Government Relations Communications

1. Assist in developing and distributing communications related to PAMED's legislative priorities, advocacy initiatives, and public policy positions.
2. Draft and edit legislative updates, advocacy alerts, newsletters, website content, email communications, and social media messaging.
3. Translate complex legislative and regulatory information into accessible, engaging content for physician members and other audiences.
4. Support the development of talking points, fact sheets, issue briefs, and other advocacy materials.
5. Coordinate with the Communications team to ensure consistency in messaging, branding, and organizational priorities.
6. Assist in communicating PAMED's advocacy accomplishments and demonstrating the value of physician membership.
7. Create engaging content for PAMED's advocacy webpages, electronic newsletters, social media channels, and other digital platforms.
8. Collaborate with Communications staff to develop graphics, short videos, infographics, and other digital content that supports advocacy initiatives.
9. Assist in maintaining and updating government relations and advocacy content on PAMED's website.
10. Support the development of communications campaigns that connect public policy issues to the everyday experiences of physicians.
11. Monitor basic engagement metrics, including email performance, advocacy participation, and digital content reach.
12. Identify opportunities to improve communication effectiveness and increase member participation.

Grassroots Advocacy and Member Engagement

1. Support grassroots advocacy campaigns designed to encourage physician participation in the legislative process.
2. Assist in preparing and distributing calls to action, legislative alerts, and member engagement communications.
3. Help manage advocacy communications through digital engagement platforms, including VoterVoice or similar systems.
4. Support efforts to increase physician engagement with elected officials and policymakers.
5. Assist with planning and promoting advocacy events, including PAMED Advocacy Days, legislative briefings, and member educational opportunities.
6. Help identify opportunities to highlight physician perspectives and experiences in advocacy communications.
7. Assist with coordinating advocacy-related meetings, webinars, legislative events, and educational programs.
8. Prepare meeting materials, presentations, briefing documents, and follow-up communications.
9. Support communication and coordination with physician leaders, legislative contacts, and organizational partners.
10. Assist with special projects and emerging advocacy initiatives as assigned.
11. Work collaboratively across departments to ensure government relations initiatives support PAMED's broader strategic priorities.
12. Actively assesses and improves contributions to company culture by practicing advocacy meaningfully, encouraging, and respecting individuals' ideas and experiences, elevating colleagues' confidence to bring their whole and best selves to work and navigate all communication based in active listening and thoughtful dialogue.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES MAY INCLUDE:

Assist with coordination of other Government Relations and PAMED initiatives that may be requested or assigned.      

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sedentary work. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. Hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Operation of a motor vehicle, occasionally                                      

This PDQ accurately reflects the duties, qualifications, and other requirements of this position.

Revision Date: 11/11/2026

EOE - It is the policy of PAMED to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship, genetic information, possession of a General Educational Development certificate as opposed to a high school diploma, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This commitment applies, but is not limited, to decisions made with respect to hiring, placement, compensation, benefits, promotions, demotions, transfers, terminations, layoffs, return from layoffs, administration of benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: Required Skill/Education/Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, political science, public policy, journalism, marketing or a related field preferred
• 3 years’ experience in communications, public affairs, government relations, advocacy, public policy, association management or a related field
• Preferable experience working with associations at a state or national level
• Previous experience with physicians and medical professionals preferred
• Exceptional written, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills
• Experience developing professional written communications for diverse audiences
• Ability to communicate complex public policy and legislative issues into understandable terms
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks/events
• Ability to think and work independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrate verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Experience creating content for digital, print, and social media platforms
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, CRM systems, website content management systems, and email marketing platforms
• Valid state issued driver’s license

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Some night and weekend meeting attendance is required as needed. Attendance is also required at PAMED’s House of Delegates (HOD) meeting held over one weekend each year (October) in Hershey, PA.