Community Relations Coordinator

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

About The Position

The incumbent serves as the primary media liaison for the Division of Public Health (DPH), leading media relations and public communications efforts. This position manages media inquiries, coordinates interviews with DPH staff, and ensures that information is communicated to the public and media in a clear, accessible manner consistent with health literacy principles. The role oversees DPH website content and video news briefs, including the development and dissemination of news releases, media advisories, and other public information materials. Additional responsibilities include monitoring media coverage, maintaining and updating web content as needed, and supporting emergency response activities through an assigned role within the State Health Operations Center (SHOC), which is activated during public health emergencies.

Requirements

Three years experience in public relations or media relations to establish and promote a positive image and inform or influence specific audiences through the use of internal and external communications such as public forums, print or electronic media, speech writing, writing/editing, marketing, advertising, or special events.
Three years experience in gathering, organizing, formatting, translating, or interpreting information into forms more easily understood by the media or public, and disseminating the information through the use of print, broadcast or electronic media.
Three years experience in public speaking which includes gathering, preparing and presenting information to the public or media groups.
Six months experience in developing, planning and directing public events, campaigns, programs, or services to meet community needs.
Six months experience in determining and evaluating alternative courses of action to resolve or mitigate controversial issues.
Six months experience in developing policies, procedures or programs for dissemination of information to the public or media groups.

Responsibilities

Serves as the primary media liaison for the Division of Public Health (DPH), leading media relations and public communications efforts.
Manages media inquiries and coordinates interviews with DPH staff.
Ensures clear, accessible communication of information to the public and media, consistent with health literacy principles.
Oversees DPH website content and video news briefs.
Develops and disseminates news releases, media advisories, and other public information materials.
Monitors media coverage and maintains/updates web content.
Supports emergency response activities through an assigned role within the State Health Operations Center (SHOC).
Gathers, organizes, and formats information related to an agency's goals, objectives and services.
Promotes an agency's image consistent with the overall direction of the agency.
Coordinates timely and accurate responses and information to citizens, community groups or governmental agencies.
Encourages participation in the use of agency services.
Coordinates and conducts public meetings, media events or educational programs.
Ensures a mutual sharing of information with other agencies, media and the general public.
May supervise staff.