Public Health Communications Specialist (Diabetes)

ABOUT NACDD

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is a member-based Association that improves the health of the public by strengthening state-based leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and management. NACDD’s core membership is composed of the 59 State and Territorial Health Department Chronic Disease Directors and their staff who protect the health of the public through primary and secondary prevention efforts and work “upstream” on root causes of chronic conditions. In addition, NACDD unites 7,000 chronic disease professionals across the United States working in state, tribal, and territorial health departments; nonprofits; academia; and the private industry to promote health and reduce the burden of chronic disease. As a national, nonprofit, professional Association, we advocate, educate, and provide technical assistance to inform programming and grow chronic disease prevention knowledge, leadership, and capacity. 

NACDD Employee Total rewards and benefit Options:

*Flexible work hours *Remote working options *Paid holidays *Medical insurance *Dental insurance *Vision insurance *Flexible spending account (FSA) *Professional development *Career growth opportunities *Paid time off (PTO) *Paid sick leave *Paid volunteer time *401(k) with employer match *Employee assistance program (EAP) *Long-term disability *Basic life/AD&D *Critical illness coverage *Accident coverage *Short-term disability *Home office supply support *Wellness activities *Employee recognition program *Employee engagement committees

POSITION SUMMARY

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors is seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our organization as a Public Health Communications Specialist to support several multi-year projects funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that focus on advancing diabetes prevention and self-management efforts. NACDD is a member-based not-for-profit Association that improves the health of the public by strengthening state-based leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and control in states and at the national level. NACDD's role continues to be that of standing in the gap, linking resources with its member experts, and together creating a safer and healthier America.

This position will be based in the Association’s Communications and Member Services Team and will report to the Senior Director of Communications and Member Services. This position will support communications-related activities within the Diabetes Portfolio, which is housed in the Center for Advancing Healthy Communities, and collaborate with Center leadership and assigned program team members to achieve high-quality deliverables in accordance with established timelines and budget. Specifically, the Public Health Communications Specialist – Diabetes will support the funded projects by planning, developing, disseminating, and evaluating project-specific communications plans, tailored messages for populations of focus, tools, fact sheets, one-pagers, newsletters, e-mail campaigns, success stories, briefs, reports, papers, talking points, press releases, and other program-related materials/collateral using a variety of technology, media, and communications strategies and platforms. This position will coordinate all efforts with NACDD’s Communications and Member Services Department and collaborate across the organization to increase reach and visibility of program success and impact among CDC, Members, thought leaders/partners, and funders. 

*This position is grant-funded, with funding secured through July 31, 2026. Continuation of the position beyond this date is contingent upon the availability of continued grant funding, which the organization is committed to actively pursuing.

Applicants must submit a cover letter detailing their interest in the role and how their previous experience aligns with the requirements of this position.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide communications-related strategic and technical subject matter expertise (SME) to the Diabetes Portfolio; 
• Work closely with project team members, other partners, and funders, as needed, to carry out workplan activities tied to communications and resource development and dissemination in accordance with established timelines;
• Design and develop communication assets and ensure alignment of efforts with processes, practices, and tools put forth by NACDD’s Communications Department;
• Develop and implement communications plans/activities to further promote the National Diabetes Prevention Program and diabetes self-management program work, along with other related projects/efforts, to Members, partners, and funders;
• Manage and update content about diabetes programs and projects on NACDD program-specific webpages;
• Review/revise existing resources, as needed, to ensure content and format is appropriate and clear;
• Draft and/or proofread, edit, fact-check, rewrite, and work with project teams to deliver quality content in alignment with NACDD Communications brand guidelines; ensure all resources are clear, correct, comprehensible, and consistent (e.g., accurate and free of grammatical errors);
• Identify opportunities to promote projects and forecast needs for project deliverables related to resource development and dissemination;
• Leverage a variety of technology, media, and communications strategies and platforms to increase reach and visibility of projects (e.g., MailChimp, webpages, social media, videos, podcasts, and PowerPoint presentations);
• Provide training and assistance to team members and project partners, as needed, around producing high-quality resources and other communications-related activities;
• Collaborate with external project partners, as needed, to help them understand NACDD communications systems, processes, and procedures;
• Maintain knowledge of best practices around communications and resource development and dissemination; keep up with trends in public health to identify how and where programmatic/project work intersects with leading ideas or emerging issues;
• Assist with federal and non-federal grant opportunities (e.g., grant writing), as needed;
• Collaborate with and maintain effective, positive working relationships with other NACDD team members and program partners;
• Participate in Communications/Center/Diabetes Portfolio, NACDD, CDC, and other project-related meetings and events (e.g., CDC calls with Technical Monitors, as needed);
• Perform other duties, as assigned or necessary, to achieve Diabetes Portfolio/Center and Communications Department goals and objectives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Public Health Administration, Health Sciences, Communications, or related field with minimum of five to seven (5-7) years of relevant experience;
• Experience working with CDC or other federal agencies on creating and disseminating public health campaigns related to state-level chronic disease prevention and health promotion;
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating communications plans (and other communications assets); 
• Experience managing contracts and relationships with communications partners and vendors;
• Ability to identify opportunities to leverage communications strategies to demonstrate project impact;
• Superior oral and written communication and organizational skills with strong attention to detail;
• Strong reviewing and proofreading capabilities using AP, MLA, APA, and other  styles;
• Strong interpersonal skills, excels in building relationships and partnerships with stakeholders, and able to work with a team; ability to maintain quality customer service standards;
• Adept at facilitating meetings, conference calls, and other meetings, virtually or in-person;
• Ability to effectively connect and communicate with other team members working on other projects; ability to identify opportunities for synergy and/or collaboration;
• Ability to effectively present information to a variety of audiences and respond to questions from senior management, staff, other NACDD team members, the Board, and internal and external partners/stakeholders;
• Strong project management, prioritization, and planning skills, with demonstrated success producing high-quality deliverables according to established timelines and budget;
• Excellent multitasking and problem-solving skills with ability to analyze situations, identify existing or potential problems, and recommend solutions; 
• Self-motivated; able to work independently and to receive and incorporate feedback from others into plans;
• Resilient, flexible, and innovative;
• Ability to establish and maintain professional credibility and diplomacy; understands the importance of keeping current industry or subject matter expertise;
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint), virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, and project management platforms such as Smartsheet;
• High proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, utilizing Mac OS, and other graphic design platforms (e.g., Canva); ability to master other technologies and software applications (e.g., WordPress for webpage development and management);
• Ability to travel, as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

• Master's degree in Public Health, Public Health Administration, Health Sciences, Communications, or related field
• Prior Association or other nonprofit experience preferred, specifically member-based organizations serving state public health practitioners;
• Prior work experience in a state, county, or local health department preferred;
• Prior experience working in and/or supporting public health programs focused on diabetes prevention and/or diabetes management is preferred;
• Prior experience working in and/or supporting public health programs focused on tribes and/or tribal organizations nice to have;
• Prior experience developing public health communications around Medicare, Medicaid, and/or innovative payment solutions (e.g., community care hubs, umbrella hub arrangements) nice to have;
• Proficiency in grant writing and management; specifically, ability to effectively communicate through technical writing for required federal grants (and other types of grants) and cooperative agreements nice to have.

Location/Remote

• Must be located in one of the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, or Washington;
• REMOTE - Must be available to travel, as needed.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Up to 10%

SALARY RANGE:

• $75,000 – $90,000

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT:

Applicants must submit a cover letter detailing their interest in the role and how their previous experience aligns with the requirements of this position.   

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

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

This position is primarily performed remotely in a home-based office environment. The role involves frequent computer use, sitting and/or standing as preferred by the employee, virtual collaboration, and participation in video and audio conferences. The employee must be able to communicate clearly, focus for extended periods, manage competing priorities, and work independently within a remote setting. Occasional travel may be required.

NACDD is an equal opportunity employer for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.