Communications Specialist

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Communications Specialist

$64,604.80- $96,428.80- Posted Thru: 9/19/2025

Location: Remote/Virtual - Must Live and Work in Michigan

Purpose: The individual in this position will serve as the Health Services communication specialist in the Stakeholder Engagement Section with a special focus on cross collaborative projects and activities that include department employees, stakeholders, workgroups, governing bodies, and other MDHHS administration efforts. This role will be a key resource in the development of public-facing and internal communications, ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment with MDHHS goals and Medicaid program priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duty 1: Plan, develop, revise, and improve internal and external-facing communications for the Health Services Administration.

• Plan communication strategies related to development, promulgation, and public engagement for policy, research, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Prepare for distribution news releases, fact sheets, and other materials for interested parties.
• Formulate policies, procedures, and guidelines for assigned communication programs.
• Develop strategies for further development, review, and distribution of materials based on analysis of existing processes and procedures.
• Evaluate and refine documents for consistency, clarity, and alignment with strategic goals of MDHHS and the Health Services Administration.
• Support the development and execution of communication plans with internal partners and external stakeholders.
• Engage cross-collaborative partnerships and serve as communications liaison to advance Health Services programs, strategy development and implementation as it relates to internal and external communications.
• Utilize research and analytical acumen to assess and interpret federal guidance and national best practices to propose, inform development of, and prepare appropriate materials to support related programmatic areas.
• Collaborate with partner departments, agencies, administrations, and organizations to optimize resources, expand engagement and facilitate opportunities for alignment.
• Demonstrate support for innovation and for organizational changes needed to improve Health Services effectiveness in alignment with assigned areas.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and cross agency liaison for strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, policy integration and evaluation.

Duty 2: Support communication efforts for Medicaid, aging services, and behavioral health services that will further integration and improvement of existing and newly established projects and programs.

• Represent Health Services strategic priorities in health workgroups, committees, and other external stakeholder engagement opportunities as necessary.
• Maintain positive, strong, and credible professional and interpersonal relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Build partnerships to advance Health Services strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with other administration staff and MDHHS subject matter experts, as appropriate, to assist with coordination of the development, implementation, evaluation, communication, and reporting on programmatic activities.
• Support staff team/contractor collaboration and reinforce standards for quality of work and attention to detail established by leadership.
• Function as a team member with the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on a team and other stakeholders.
• Plan and coordinate training of staff in communication activities.
• Serves as a technical advisor and liaison with industry, community groups, and/or governmental agencies.

Duty 3:Other.

• Conduct special projects, prepare informational briefings, and maintain records of correspondence.
• Always represent the best interests of MPHI and MDHHS.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, broadcasting, telecommunications, advertising, communication arts, marketing, public relations, public administration, public policy, or a related field.

Experience: Four years of professional experience in the communications field equivalent to a Communications Representative, including two years equivalent to a Communications Representative P11 or one year equivalent to a Communications Representative 12.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with executive level management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including facilitating group discussions.
• Expert news release and speech writing skills; knowledge of proper grammar, spelling, varied publication styles, and English language proficiency.
• Ability to process large volumes of information quickly, and apply knowledge in the development of strategy, implementation plans, and programmatic improvements.
• Assess problems, determine solutions and make timely recommendations.
• Effectively develop relationships and partner with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Manage competing priorities with a high degree of organization and discipline.
• High-level of proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) Acrobat, and other database and editing software (tests in one or more products may be administered).
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: This position is primarily hybrid/remote and will have some in-office days at the Capitol Commons Building (400 S. Pine Street, Lansing, MI) and/or be required to travel to media-related events across the state as needed. Selected candidates who have been approved to work remotely or a hybrid schedule must complete that work within Michigan. Candidates should confirm work location and schedule at the time of interview. Viewing a CRT or VDT screen 25% to 75% of the time. May require occasional physical effort, including lifting materials and equipment up to 50 pounds. A valid vehicle operator's license to attend off-site meetings, conferences and trainings will be needed.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: No assigned responsibilities for others.

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: This position has a direct impact on the quality of services provided by MPHI to MDHHS. The Departmental Specialist will have extended direct contact with MDHHS employees at multiple levels and a diverse set of stakeholders. The individual in this role will function as a key liaison, including the delivery of clear and useful reports, plans, and other resources. The quality of the work and the professionalism exhibited by the Departmental Specialist will directly affect the perception of MDHHS among important stakeholders.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION

Contact Person/Group	Frequency	Purpose
Supervisor	Daily	Supervision
Internal Partners	As Needed	Collaboration
External Stakeholders	As Needed	Collaboration

"For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Exempt" from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act."

MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

MPHI is an EEO employer that participates with e-verify.