Position Title: Outreach and Communications Manager for Rural Health Transformation

Salary: $105,000 (plus benefits)

Position End Date: 7/31/2027

Location: State of Connecticut Department of Social Services - Hartford, CT

About the CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations, and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the sole entity authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has launched approximately 1,000 programs and raised over $740 million. The CDC Foundation managed over 300 CDC-led programs in the United States and in more than 130 countries last year.

Overview:

The CDC Foundation is seeking an Outreach and Communications Manager for Rural Health Transformation to support the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). This position will report to the Project Director of Rural Health Transformation in the Division of Rural Health Transformation in the DSS Commissioner's Office.

The Outreach and Communications Manager will support communications, public engagement, and outreach for the Connecticut Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

Under the direction of the Project Director of Rural Health Transformation, with additional project-specific supervision from both Project Deputy Directors, this position will provide communications and outreach support for RHTP projects assigned to DSS as well as general communications support for the Division of Rural Health Transformation in concert with DSS’ Communications and Legislative Affairs team.

This position is currently a hybrid position. This role may require statewide travel.

Required Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field; and

· 8+ years professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Developing and implementing internal and external communications plans;

· Strong oral and written communication, including writing, editing, presenting, and storytelling;

· Public relations/communications involving a variety of internal and external stakeholders, especially in or related to local, state or federal government;

· Customer service and problem solving; and

· Demonstrated digital Literacy proficiency including email marketing and social media.

Responsibilities:

· Develop and manage the strategic communication plan for the overall RHTP and specific RHTP initiatives implemented by DSS;

· Develop, implement, and coordinate communications and briefings for internal and external stakeholders, including state agencies, Congressional and state legislators and legislative delegations, healthcare providers, municipal and regional government agencies, community-based organizations, and other community partners;

· Prepare, edit, and present reports and updates for internal and external stakeholders, such as slide decks, talking points, presentation notes, website updates, social media posts, newsletters, press releases, press conferences;

· Acting in concert with DSS’ Communications team, establish and maintain strong working relationships with media outlets to maximize opportunities for engagement on Rural Health Transformation topics.

· Support active communications and stakeholder engagement, including engaging with and providing leadership and staff support to a newly created Rural Health Transformation Advisory Council and Regional Collaboratives;

· Manage public inquiries, email lists, and other incoming communications requests;

· Pilot and test new, innovative strategies for public engagement so that DSS and its sister RHTP implementing agencies can reach key interested stakeholders living in Northeast and Northwest Connecticut;

· When directed by DSS RHTP leadership, oversee contracted partners relevant to outreach and communications, including but not limited to the RHTP evaluation contractor; and

· Manage the RHTP brand identity and visual standards across all channels, including managing review when required by the federal government in accordance with RHTP award terms and conditions.

Special Notes:

This role is involved in a dynamic public health program. As such, roles and responsibilities are subject to change as situations evolve. Roles and responsibilities listed above may be expanded upon or updated to match priorities and needs, once written approval is received by both the CDC Foundation and the Connecticut Department of Social Services in order to best support the state of Connecticut in their public health programming.

This position is currently a hybrid position. CDC Foundation retains the right to make adjustments to this as required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law. We comply with all applicable laws including E.O.

11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.

The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.

Relocation expenses are not included.

About the CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations, and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has raised over $1 billion and launched more than 1,000 programs impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, and to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of CDC-led programs in the United States and in more than 140 countries last year. Learn more at www.cdcfoundation.org.

About the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities. DSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS services about 1 million residents of all ages in all169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, online and phone access options.

DSS is the overall lead agency for Connecticut’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which is anticipated to be at least $100 million per year for five years for Connecticut (first year grant award was approximately $154 million). CT's RHTP grant includes thirty projects, each of which is assigned to one of 10 state agencies to implement, including eight projects assigned to DSS.