Public Information Specialist

Job Description

PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST

Req #: 240856 Department: EPIDEMIOLOGY Job Location: Seattle Campus Posting Date: 11/14/2024 Closing Info: Closes On 11/21/2024 Salary: $6,900 - $7,600 per month Other Compensation: Limited Recruitment: Open to UW Employees only
If you are a UW employee and would like to be considered for this position, please login to your UW employee profile to apply. Shift: First Shift Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.
The department of Epidemiology, National Alzheimer’s Coordination Center (NACC), has an outstanding opportunity for a Public Information Specialist (Payroll Title: Public Information Specialist).
The National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) serves as the data, communication, and collaboration coordinating center for the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRC) Program. NACC is currently funded by more than $58M in grants from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and is home to one of the largest (48,600+ participants), oldest, and most powerful Alzheimer’s datasets. Our extensive database of rich, longitudinal, standardized clinical and neuropathological data was built in collaboration with more than 42 ADRCs across the US over the past 25+ years. NACC is driving major innovations to modernize data infrastructure (collection, integration, storage, and sharing) and build interoperability with other NIA-funded repositories to transform and advance Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementia (AD/ADRD) research and discovery. NACC is expanding its database to integrate electronic health records, Medicare claims, digital biomarkers, and digital neuropathology data, as well as additional genetic, biospecimen, and standard imaging (MRI and PET) metadata. Additionally, NACC is developing a novel data search and visualization portal to make all ADRC data streams readily searchable and accessible to the international research community. This work will open the door to new discoveries in AD/ADRD, improve our understanding of the disease, and enable the development of better early disease detection, personalized medicine, and more impactful therapeutics. NACC is part of the Department of Epidemiology within UW’s School of Public Health.
NACC is organized into five teams: 1) technology team, 2) project team, 3) research team, 4) grants and finance team and 5) communications team. NACC has been funded by NIA since 1999 and is based at the University of Washington, Department of Epidemiology.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Public Information Specialist works closely with the Communications Manager, the leadership team, and staff to ensure consistent and coordinated communication of messaging across the University, College, department, and ADRCs, as well as with internal and external stakeholders. This role provides a comprehensive range of communications, public relations, marketing, and design resources to support the mission and growth of NACC. This position plans, drafts, and edits internal and external communication for NACC; maintaining a strong brand for the center, including impactful publications, print/digital collateral, and website assets; coordinating media and public relations activities to promote NACC to external audiences; updating the center’s website and digital presence.
The Public Information Specialist reports to the Communications Manager and must have excellent communication skills and understand research and database complexities that will come into play when generating NACC publications. In addition, the individual must have the capacity to work professionally and diplomatically interface with a variety of external constituencies involved in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Print and Digital Communications - 60%

Collaborate with the Communication Manager and Executive Director in the development and implementation of comprehensive, measurable communication plans that elevate the Center's brand and align with its strategic goals.

Manage and expand social media strategy by creating social media posts for NACC’s social media channels, such as Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

Manage and advise on periodic content audits and site analytics monitoring.

Develop reports on social media engagement, offering insights and recommendations to improve functionality to the Communications Manager and NACC Leadership.

Plan, draft, and edit content for various NACC campaigns and initiatives.

Create Hubspot emails and campaigns.

Develop and implement content strategy in support of external ADRC activities/programming (e.g. Knight Diversity conference), including social media and email communication support.

Develop and manage all digital communications. Track both internal and external communication campaigns using the Communications Campaign SmartSheet and Asana, leveraging digital marketing tools, analytics, and data for performance insights.

Provide all aspects of communications support for the semi-annual ADRC Meeting communications, including content creation, graphics, flyers, posters, landing pages, badges, registration forms, and any additional needs that arise including acting as the Communications point-of-contact at the Meetings.

Serve as the liaison and work closely with the Events and Collaborations Manager on institutional and project-specific initiatives, including publicity for NACC, special projects, ADRC meetings, and collaborations with Gates Ventures. These efforts aim to accelerate digital innovation in Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD).

Manage, create, implement, and evaluate project management plans to support the annual research performance progress report (RPPR) and assist with writing and editing of the report.

Provide communications project management support for various ad hoc initiatives, including but not limited to the Grants/Finance Carryover Request, through tasks such as scheduling meetings, organizing documentation, drafting reports, and maintaining detailed notes.

Draft and edit news stories, press releases, profiles, and research features to increase brand awareness.

Draft, edit, and distribute the monthly NACC Newsletter.
Design, Marketing, and Branding - 20%

Develop and implement marketing and communications strategies and materials to enhance department recruitment and promote programs, including the creation of flyers, one-sheets, and social media campaigns, as well as promotional materials for NACC-sponsored seminars, academic programs, advancement events, and recruitment initiatives.

Innovate, develop, edit and disseminate new content for multiple media platforms for sharing via digital and print media content across digital channels and tools.

Understand and incorporate School of Public Health and UW branding guidelines in conjunction with NACC branding guidelines.
Web Development and Maintenance - 10%

Support the design and integration of communications streams on the NACC website.

Plan, create, and edit graphics and written content for various landing pages.

Assist the web developer with any website updates.

Provide project management support for website redesign.
Research Team Communications Support - 10%

Create, edit, and disseminate mass emails to academic and community audiences locally, nationally, and internationally.

Create and edit data collection forms, Coding Guidebooks, and Research Data Dictionaries using Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat.

Support communications between Research Team and external stakeholders by developing, editing, and distributing emails from Research Team to ADRC stakeholders, planning and creating graphics, and assisting with REDCap survey development needs.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, public health, or related degree.

Three years of progressively responsible editorial, marketing, social media community engagement or a related field.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills. Ability to translate technical or scientific information for general audiences.

Demonstrated experience with current digital content best practices, developing content for social media and websites.

Proven ability to create, adhere to, and effectively communicate branding and content guidelines.

Strong attention to detail with excellent project and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.

Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Ability to communicate diplomatically and effectively with a variety of constituencies involved in AD research. This includes the ability to exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and use independent judgement.

Strong interpersonal skills with an emphasis on forging relationships with team members, external partners and stakeholders.

Experience in reporting metrics.

Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with desktop publishing and photo editing and graphic design software, Adobe InDesign and Acrobat.

Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ability to work outside normal business hours occasionally when necessary.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree, in Communications, Public Relations, Public Health or related discipline.

Experience assembling and editing federal agency grant proposals and applications.

Prior work experience in an academic, research, healthcare and/or administrative environment.

Proficiency and experience with:
o REDCap
o HubSpot
o Canva
o Asana, SmartSheet, Sharepoint, Teams or other project management tools
o Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator)

Familiarity with Alzheimer’s Disease research.
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .

Open to UW Employees only
If you are a UW employee and would like to be considered for this position, please login to your UW employee profile to apply.