Outreach Specialist

Description This position is with the Rural Health Information Hub, a federally-funded national information center focusing on rural health issues. The position is fully supported by grant funds. This position will provide assistance and leadership in the areas of outreach and marketing for the project through developing content in a variety of formats for the RHIhub website, ruralhealthinfo.org; promoting RHIhub to external audiences; and working closely with program leadership to plan, facilitate, and evaluate outreach activities.

 

May consider work location other than Grand Forks, North Dakota, if advantageous to the activities of the grant program.

 

Department The Center for Rural Health connects resources and knowledge to strengthen the health of people in rural communities. For 40 years, we have worked with the public and private sectors expanding a circle of partners to develop creative solutions to critical health issues. The Center is located at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks. Our approach is multi-disciplinary, as we create solutions to complex challenges. The Center for Rural Health works with communities, healthcare organizations, healthcare providers, policy-makers, researchers, tribal nations, and rural health stakeholders. Additional information can be viewed at: http://ruralhealth.und.edu/.

 

Duties & Responsibilities Development of web content in a variety of formats (e.g., text, blog, video).

 

• Oversee the maintenance of web content for the “About” and “Spread the Word” section of RHIhub’s website. Develop new web-based products to promote the project. Work with editor and editorial group in the creation and maintenance of content for the RHIhub website Write web copy for the RHIhub website as requested by supervisor. Plan, oversee, and develop webinars, including adding supporting resources to digital assets management system and content management system. Develop articles for the Rural Monitor and other publications that promote RHIhub products and services. Develop methods of featuring key content on the website and other RHIhub products.

Outreach and promotional activities.

 

• Oversee distribution and tracking of RHIhub promotional items. Review RHIhub Calendar of Events to determine which organizations to target for promotional offers. Initiate contact and develop connections with government agencies, state and national organizations, and individuals to disseminate information. Oversee shipping of promotional materials to RHIhub audiences, ensuring that orders are delivered in a timely manner.

Promote RHIhub and its products and services to external audiences.

 

• Research and contact target audiences to help them become more familiar with program services. Coordinate the development of promotional materials and activities. Coordinate the selection of conferences at which to promote services, as well as the scheduling of staff to attend each conference. Serve as a resource to staff regarding promoting the project. Assist with the creation of presentations and supporting materials to promote RHIhub. Develop and maintain relationships with key government agencies, state and national organizations, and individuals. Exhibit and present program services at meetings and conferences. Create and distribute articles, press releases, and media kits to media and external organizations. Contribute to the project’s Search Engine Optimization efforts. Contact organizations to encourage links to RHIhub’s websites. Coordinate RHIhub’s social media efforts, including developing a plan and calendar, working with staff to identify content to distribute, writing posts, leading Twitter chats, interacting with the public, social listening, etc. Develop visual content to be distributed via social media.

Coordinate and facilitate outreach activities in conjunction with program leadership; contribute to program management.

 

• Lead effort to develop, maintain, and implement outreach/marketing plans for the Rural Health Information Hub. Work with program management, web staff, and graphic designer to maintain consistent branding. Assist in the planning of program activities. Assist in reporting to funder and Advisory Board. Keep supervisor informed of concerns and suggestions of external organizations. Work with supervisor to evaluate the success of various types of promotional activities.

Participate in professional activities.

 

• Accept opportunities to participate on committees, make presentations, and publish appropriate research or accomplishments. Keep current on the latest developments in the fields of rural health and information dissemination, as well as other areas of interest through proactively seeking out information, including following appropriate websites, blogs, social media and newsletters. Contribute to the advancement of the profession and status of the Center for Rural Health and the University.

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of rural health issues. Knowledge of format, layout, design, and construction of branded materials. Strong skills using computers, specifically with Microsoft Office software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook or similar), e-mail, and Internet usage. Must have superior communication and interpersonal skills. High quality customer service, outreach, and marketing skills. Demonstrated ability to prioritize, coordinate multiple projects and assignments, meet deadlines and function in a fast paced environment. Strong skills with social media and demonstrated understanding of good practices for organizational social media use. Strong internet search skills. Strong analytical, problem solving, decision-making, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to take direction, organize, and follow-through on assigned tasks and to work as part of a team. High level of attention-to-detail and the ability to generate high quality and timely work products. Demonstrated ability to take initiative and be self-directed. Be willing to travel occasionally to national, regional, or local events/meetings.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public administration, business, or health-related field. Will consider other degrees with directly relevant work experience. Experience in public speaking or making presentations. Excellent writing skills, with demonstrated ability to write for the web.

Writing samples must be submitted (attached) at the time of application. Please provide the following 3 writing samples:

 

1. 1. Professional email to an organization asking if they would be interested in promotional materials for their upcoming rural health conference. Imagine this article was newly released, https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/volunteering-seniors/. Write posts for Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to promote the article and engage the audience. A portfolio of additional writing samples that demonstrate writing ability, preferably as it relates to outreach/marketing. Acceptable items to include: press release, marketing plan, newsletter/magazine article, webpage copy, academic paper, etc.

• Successful completion of criminal history records check.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of directly related work experience. Experience or training with social media strategy. Experience working with state or national organizations to promote grant-funded activities. Experience working with a content management system and basic HTML. Experience with social media management tools and software. Experience using Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.

Minimum Hiring Salary/Position Classification $40,000/year minimum starting salary. Can range higher based on experience and qualifications. Full-time, Benefited, Exempt. This position is partially grant-funded

 

Work Schedule/Start Date Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

 

Benefits Includes single or family health care coverage (premiums paid for by the university), basic life insurance, EAP, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual and sick leave. Optional benefits available: supplemental life, dental, vision, flexible spending account, supplemental retirement plans.

 

To Apply For full consideration, all application materials must be fully submitted by 11:59PM on the closing date.

 

Additional Information

 

To find out why living and working in Greater Grand Forks is way cooler, check out Grand Forks is Cooler.

 

All information listed in this position announcement will be used by Human Resources, the Hiring Department, and EO/Title IX for screening, interviewing and selection purposes.

 

Confidentiality of Application Materials

 

Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the top three finalists who will be invited to campus.

 

EEO Statement

 

The University of North Dakota is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or other protected characteristic. Women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants are invited to provide information regarding their gender, race and/or ethnicity, veteran’s status and disability status as part of the application process. This information will remain confidential and separate from your application.

 

Veteran’s Preference

 

Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 or NGB 22 and if claiming disabled status, a current letter of disability from the VA dated within the last 12 months.

 

Clery Statement

 

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years’ of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at UND.edu. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, ND, 58202.