Job Brief

External Communications Specialist Yakima, WA

YVFWC has a compulsory vaccination policy including the Covid-19 primary series, the organization does not mandate the Covid-19 booster although it is offered through our employee health department. Medical and religious exemptions to the primary series will be considered and for those approved, the employee should anticipate following appropriate guidance around masking and other protective equipment offered.

The Communications Specialist creates and implements the communications strategies for earned media, owned media, and other integrated, multi-channel marketing content for Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic (YVFWC). This role maintains and is responsible for the organization's image and brand in the news media, on the website, and all other written copy. This position nurtures existing and develops new relationships with partners, vendors, and media. The Communications Specialist will also serve as an organizational spokesperson and be responsible for coordinating avenues for public information and directing efforts to measure the attitudes and opinions of various individuals or agencies toward the organization and the services the clinic provides.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities/Duties

• Creates and implements the communications strategies for earned media, owned media, and other integrated, multi-channel marketing content.
• Creates and shares reports on the efficacy of all communications strategies.
• Updates all corporate brochures, press kits, presentations, and other reports as directed.
• Prepares and distributes all fact sheets and news releases.
• Utilizes knowledge and experience with a variety of media management concepts, practices, and procedures to establish and elevate the organization’s profile.
• Collaborates with External Affairs team to write content for the organization’s website and all other communications platforms.
• Works collaboratively with the digital team to balance Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with the organization’s brand voice and tone across all properties.
• Manages all aspects of media requests including training key staff, managing the logistics of interviews, tracking all earned media, and making improvements on processes.
• Plans and directs development and communication of information and activities designed to keep the public informed of the organization’s programs, accomplishments, and point of view on community health.
• Works to understand cultural differences and similarities in all markets in order to highlight individual clinic strengths and areas of focus and present a consistent image as part of the organization’s network.
• Develops and maintains policies and procedures related to communications and media relations.
• Writes compelling, on-brand, short and long form content for all of the organization’s communications needs including but not limited to: blogs, print advertisements, Op-Eds, press releases, and collateral.
• Serves as a copy editor for colleagues.
• Uses research methodologies to aggregate information about ideas, programs, and services.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of how to best utilize SEO data across all digital content and weaves that language into collateral for uniformity.
• Interviews staff and leadership in order to write compelling content that achieves the goals of the organization.
• Stays abreast of most current communications strategies, tools, and technologies.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Creative Writing, or related field.
• Experience: Three years’ experience in Communication. Experience includes writing communications materials for public distribution and multi-channel marketing. Copy editing and HTML editing experience preferred.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Knowledge and experience with a variety of media management concepts, practices, and procedures. Excellent verbal, written and listening communication skills. Ability to build and maintain effective relationships to gain trust and establish credibility with staff and the media. Ability to work as part of a team in a fast paced environment. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to plan and organize work while performing multiple tasks requiring attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver high-quality results on time.

About YVFWC

We serve more than 181,000 patients across 25 medical clinics, 14 dental clinics, 10 pharmacies, and 64 program sites in two states. We are Level 3 Certified as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). With integrated services including medical, dental, pharmacy, orthodontia, primary care nutritional counseling, autism screening, and primary care behavioral health, YVFWC’s patient-centered model of care offers patients the full spectrum of care and shelter assistance, energy assistance, weatherization, HIV and AIDS counseling and testing, home visits, and four mobile medical/dental clinics.

Working at YVFWC

Working in our organization means being the passionate champion for those who have no voice. It means having the opportunity to work with underserved populations and with peers committed to the same work.

At Farm Workers Clinic

• We will consistently trust one another to work for the common good.
• We will foster integrity by demonstrating ethical behavior and insisting on doing what we say we will do.
• We will demonstrate transparency by being candid and truthful no matter the risk.
• We will create partnerships to strengthen ourselves and our community.
• We will fight for just treatment for all individuals.
• We will let joy in.
• We have the courage to be an agent of change and refuse anything short of excellence.

Our mission celebrates diversity. We are committed to equal opportunity employment.