Who We Are
At the Washington Association for Community Health, we bring community health centers together to collaborate and expand access to high-quality health care statewide. We help community health centers navigate state and federal policy, provide evidence-based health care, and problem solve as a group. Our services include workforce development programs, technical assistance and training, and policy advocacy.
We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.
The Association is looking for a strong and highly professional individual capable of anticipating issues and addressing opportunities independently and effectively. This team player will hold the utmost standard of compliance and able to navigate communication styles between executive leaders and public leaders.
Position Summary
The Washington Association for Community Health seeks a Communications & Advocacy Specialist to implement a comprehensive, year-round communications and advocacy strategy that grows the Association’s presence with the general public and state leaders. This role will be a member of the Public Policy team and report to the Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Communications. The Coordinator will work across Association divisions to develop external communications assets demonstrating the value and role of community health centers across Washington state, and will work in close collaboration with consultants to ensure these materials reach intended audiences. The Specialist will also be responsible for coordinating advocacy programs and events at the Association, including annual Legislative Hill Days in Olympia and in Washington D.C.
Essential Functions
- In consultation with Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communications, lobbyists, and consultants, and key partner organizations, develop and execute year-round advocacy and legislative engagement, content, and media strategies that enhance the public perception of FQHCs.
- Create and/or curate all advocacy and policy materials, as well as supporting Association and FQHC executive leadership engagement with state and federal decision makers. These materials may include but are not limited to: talking points and key messaging, fact sheets, policy summaries, public testimony, audio-visual assets, blog and social media posts, and newsletter content.
- Collect and steward patient, provider and health center stories demonstrating the value of FQHCs in alignment with HIPAA guidelines.
- Develop, coordinate and execute advocacy related events, including annual state and federal legislative days.
- Work collaboratively with other Association communication staff to develop and maintain Association-wide editorial calendar and other shared communications/marketing tools and resources.
- Serve as a steward of the Association brand, logo and associated assets.
Position Requirements
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Experience developing and executing events that includes developing programming, booking spaces and food, managing registration, planning for day-of logistics, etc.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills and proofreading ability.
- Ability to work with subject matter experts to develop materials that communicate complex concepts and data into simple, concise messages.
- Commitment to and understanding of the root causes of health inequities; advocate for equity related to age, disability, religious culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social class, indigenous background, national origin and gender.
- Consistently demonstrate initiative, independence, and follow-through in project completion.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational management.
- Ability to work well in a professional team environment, including respect of differences, enthusiasm for collaboration, communication, and celebration; and appreciation for the critical role everyone plays in project and mission implementation.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Design experience or comfort with html desirable, but not required.
- Proficiency with Zoom, Teams, or very similar web-based event and meeting platform.
- Ability to multi-task, work under pressure and adapt to change.
- Strong desire to learn, ask questions and drive toward solutions.
Required Education And Experience
- Bachelor’s degree related field.
- Two (2) or more years experience in communications, marketing, public policy, advocacy or experience working with elected officials and/or candidates for public office.
Preferred Education And Experience
- Master’s degree in related field.
Additional Requirements
- Must possess reliable and dependable transportation.
- Occasional travel to support in-person meetings, including occasional evenings and weekends.
- Work Environment
- Working indoors in an office setting.
- The Association supports hybrid models of work, both in person and remote.
- The hybrid model requires at least 2 days in the office.
Position Information
FLSA: Full-Time Exempt
Salary Range: $59,500 to $89,300 DOEE
Location: Hybrid Olympia, WA
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance.
- Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance including supplemental Life Insurance.
- Eleven (11) paid holidays and three (3) Floating Holidays.
- 1.75 Paid Time Off (PTO) days accrued monthly (21 days annually) for the first year of employment (increasing one day per year of employment).
- 403(b) Retirement Plan Employer Contribution (following 90-day new employee probationary period) with three percent (3%) employer contribution).
- Technology subsidy.
- Wellness reimbursement.
- Family & Bereavement Leave.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave tax premiums.
- Washington Worker's Compensation Fund tax premiums.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We reaffirm our collective commitment to a workplace free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.