General Description

Communications Specialist, Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

Reports To: Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Program Manager, RHTP

Location: Charleston, West Virginia (On site)

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt (At-Will)

Position Overview

The Communications Specialist will serve as the voice of the West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), translating complex healthcare metrics, state policies, and programmatic updates into powerful public narratives. Managing public messaging for a historic initiative funded at $200 million or more under Governor Patrick Morrisey’s vision, this professional role ensures transparent, consistent, and engaging communications across all state stakeholders, media outlets, and local communities. Reporting directly to the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Program Manager, this position demands a highly creative, fast-moving, and detail-oriented producer who takes ownership of projects from concept to completion. The Specialist will turn raw ideas into polished, high-quality visual and written assets that support broad public input campaigns and direct partner feedback loops. The position ensures that the RHTP remains a community-driven initiative designed to improve health outcomes and workforce participation across West Virginia.

Key Responsibilities

Example of Duties and Responsibilities

Creative Content & Graphic Design: Own the end-to-end design, layout, and production of high-quality digital and print collateral—including infographics, toolkits, social media graphics, presentation decks, and multi-media components—ensuring all deliverables are publication-ready.
High-Impact Writing & Copyediting: Author compelling, plain-language written content that distills dense health data, medical logistics, and project milestones into accessible copy for newsletters, press releases, website landing pages, and executive program summaries.
Programmatic Publicity & Campaigns: Create tailored promotional, educational, and public-facing collateral to support public awareness, continuous feedback loops, and targeted community input sessions for RHTP's seven core flagship initiatives.
Managerial & Multi-Agency Coordination: Proactively assist the Program Manager in preparing rapid-turnaround briefing materials and project reports. Efficiently route drafts through required multi-tiered approval workflows, incorporating feedback seamlessly from state agency partners.
Media & Digital Presence Strategy: Manage program channels, track digital audience engagement metrics, draft formal media advisories, and foster collaborative relationships with regional and state journalists.
Crisis & Public Advisory Support: Track public inquiries, monitor perception trends across the state, and advise senior leadership on timely, factual messaging adjustments to maintain programmatic transparency.

Core Competencies

Exceptional Writing & Visual Execution: Advanced capacity to quickly transform rough concepts into beautifully designed, impeccably written, and clear public communications.
Ownership & Autonomy: A fast-paced, self-starting mindset with precise attention to detail and a commitment to executing multi-platform deliverables with minimal supervision.
Strategic Storytelling: Proven ability to synthesize dense health analytics or complex federal regulations into narrative forms that build community trust and engagement.
Interagency Diplomacy: Capacity to handle feedback smoothly across internal RHTP teams, state departments, and external oversight partners while maintaining strict operational deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field is required; a master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: 3–5 years of professional communications, public relations, or media management experience is required. Direct exposure to large-scale public health public relations, government communications, or healthcare marketing campaigns is preferred.
Technical Proficiencies: Proven portfolio demonstrating advanced capability in visual design tools (such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar software) and email marketing engines/content management systems.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications.
Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
Work-Life Balance: Generous paid leave accrual (vacation and sick time) alongside paid state holidays.

Limited-Term Notice: This position is a full-time, term-limited appointment for a period of up to four (4) years and is contingent upon the award and continued availability of federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program. Continued employment beyond the project period is not guaranteed.

About The Organization

Applicants interested in learning more about the program and the State’s proposed approach may review the application materials here: https://governor.wv.gov/rht

WV Department of Human Services

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