Communication Specialist

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

We are looking for a Full-Time Communication Specialist to join the UTHealth School of Public Health in Houston, TX. This position will support the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), established by the 87th Texas Legislature (2021), is an agency associated with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). In this position, you will support general TEPHI communications activities, as well as a TEPHI sub-project to develop a comprehensive vaccination social marketing and health promotion campaign for agricultural workers and their families in the Rio Grande Valley, Panhandle, and El Paso areas of Texas. You'll be responsible for creating and maintaining marketing and communications deliverables that effectively support and promote the TEPHI Agricultural Workers Resiliency Program, including graphics, written content, collateral, and other promotional products.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), established by the 87th Texas Legislature (2021), is an agency associated with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).  By leveraging the robust capabilities of Texas’ largest school of public health and its six campuses located throughout the state in Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio TEPHI will:

• Create a trained multi-sector public health reserve of at least 3,100 members across the state.
• Establish a reliable and secure data analysis infrastructure reinforced by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
• Create a laboratory testing network to monitor for emerging infectious agents beyond COVID-19.
• Develop new and operationalize current “work and learn safe” protocols for small and rural businesses, schools, and essential food production.

 Position Key Accountabilities:

• Responsible for overall communication management as assigned.
• Gathers information, generates ideas, and develops and influences the creation of high quality, creative communications and materials.
• Gathers information through research and interviews with faculty, staff, and other appropriate sources, with consideration for sensitivity and HIPAA requirements as needed.
• Responsible for driving the creative development process and communicating the project development as needed.
• Generates ideas for communication strategies and develops related promotional plans, tactics and materials.
• Consistently creates, updates, and maintains clear and compelling internal and external web content through collaboration with team members and regular audits.
• Uses desktop publishing software to create various print and electronic publications, such as compelling reports for participants or stakeholders, executive summaries, white papers, project updates, infographics, email marketing initiatives, and other projects.
• Designs marketing materials for external advertising and promotional events.
• Collaborates with team members from UTHealth Houston Communications and Public Affairs, TEPHI, community organizations, state entities, and external partners and stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

Preferred:

• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge in producing well-written, creative copy with a strong background in AP style
• Content management system skills
•  Equally adept at working independently and collaborating with a team
• Ability to think strategically and creatively to develop solutions and innovative ideas
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and familiarity with social media platforms
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Experience in public health or governmental communications
• Photography and video skills
• Bilingual English and Spanish

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field.

Minimum Experience:

• Three years of experience in public relations, communications, writing/editing or related field.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.