Media Relations Specialist 2 or 3
POSTING DATE: JUNE 5, 2026
APPLICATION DEADLINE: *OPEN UNTIL FILLED
This position is subject to close once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified
Full-Time Unclassified Position
SALARY: See Job Description
LOCATION: District Administration, Columbus Department of Public Health; 2100 Comer Ave., Columbus, GA, 2nd Floor, Health & Human Services Center
DUTIES: Under general supervision, this position will be based in Columbus, GA and will travel throughout West Central Health District’s 16-county health departments and is responsible for maintaining and promoting a positive public image for West Central Health District. Duties include preparing media releases, speeches, print and web-based communications, website content, and social media messaging designed to increase public awareness of the agency’s programs, services, initiatives, accomplishments, and public health priorities. *This is Not a Remote Position.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
•Supervise office support staff.
•Develop and oversee the implementation of a strategic marketing and communication plan to advance West Central Health District’s strategic business and operational program initiatives, services, and profile, through both web-based, social marketing and traditional communication mediums.
•Write articles, news releases, briefs, and announcements on relevant West Central Health District’s program information, and publish through social media, the WCHD website, and via media outlets.
•Manage the WCHD website and all social media channels.
•Communicate with WCHD leadership team members and health department staff regarding the promotion of WCHD services and initiatives to devise and implement a branding strategy for West Central Health District and its programs and services.
•Serve as the District’s Risk Communicator when emergencies or crisis situations arise.
•Establish systems to track, monitor, and summarize progress of strategic and operational initiatives in marketing and communications.
•Ensure external communication procedures and policies for agency-wide compliance are well documented and communicated to all staff and partners.
•Provide high level marketing and communications technical assistance and consultation to WCHD Leadership Team and program supervisors.
•Provide program-related information to the press and general public and respond to inquiries from the media.
•Coordinate the development of marketing materials, informational brochures and publications.
•Assist in the development of professional presentations and abstracts for conferences, workshops and training sessions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Media Relations Specialist 2 – (Hire-in salary – $55,000.00)
Associate’s degree in communication, journalism, or other closely related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of media relations job-related experience; or Associate degree in communication and journalism or related field from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of experience at the lower-level Media Relations Specialist 1 (GSP150) or position equivalent.
Media Relations Specialist 3 – (Hire-in salary – $60,500.00)
Associate’s degree in communication, journalism, or other closely related field from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of job-related media relations experience; or one (1) year of experience at the lower-level Media Relations Specialist 2 (GSP151) or position equivalent.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, or other closely related field from an accredited college or university and at least 2 years of job-related experience. Bilingual (English & Spanish speaking) preferred. Experience in serving as a spokesperson for an organization to the media, partners, venders and/or stakeholders. Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills. Proficient in all MS Office applications and the Adobe Creative Suite, Web design and social media management experience, a plus.
All West Central Health District 7 employees are deemed essential workers in the event of an emergency. As such, you may be called on to participate in an event including but not limited to staffing a shelter, working at a Specimen Point of Collection Site (SPOC) and/or working at a Point of Dispensing site (POD). If you are called on to participate, you are required to report to the designated site as a condition of employment, whether the emergency occurs during or outside regular work hours.
Benefits for Full-Time Eligible Employees:
•13 Paid Holidays
•Generous Leave Package
•Employees Retirement System
•Health Insurance
•Dental Insurance
•Vision Insurance
•Health Care Spending Account
•Dependent Care Spending Account
•Life Insurance
•AD&D Insurance
•Disability Insurance
•Legal Insurance
•Long-Term Care Insurance
•Specified Illness
•Deferred Compensation (401K & 457 Plans)
•Atlanta Postal Credit Union
An applicant who has a disability, which requires special accommodation, should contact the Human Resources office at 706-321-6127.
All Applicants Must Apply At: www.dph.georgia.gov Click on “About DPH” then “Careers”. Locate this position and click “Apply” to begin your application.
Applicants chosen for employment will be subject to the following:
•Criminal Background Check/ Fingerprinting
•Pre-Employment Drug Screening
•I-9 Employment Verification
•Reference Checks