Career Center

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UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Harborview Injury Prevention Research Center (HIPRC) seeks a full-time Public Information Specialist (PIS) to coordinate HIPRC communications, including producing electronic news bulletins, overseeing HIPRC website and digital communications, developing content for bulletins and website, promoting HIPRC injury prevention research activity, using digital analytics to develop a successful communications strategy, and working with UW Medicine Marketing and PR team to respond to external media requests.  The Public Information Specialist will interact with all levels of the HIPRC organization, as well as contacts within the University and in the community.  This position reports to the HIPRC Program Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•     Coordinate and develop content for communications and messaging (75%)
•     Develop strategic communications plan and evaluate implementation (15%)
•    Assist with external media coverage (10%)

This position requires an independent worker with excellent verbal and written communication skills, including competency in interviewing, writing, editing, and proofreading capabilities.  The successful candidate must have strong organizational and time management skills and requires an ability to prioritize publication and social media tasks, follow external injury media coverage and publications, and identify potential opportunities for education and community outreach.  Familiarity with digital analytics as a tool for strategic communications planning is desirable.  Graphics creation and design skills are also desirable. Candidates must be confident in ability to converse with faculty, staff, fellows, community partners, and UW administrators.

The Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center is a worldwide leader in injury cause and prevention research. Founded in 1985, HIPRC is a multidisciplinary research center supported by the University of Washington School of Medicine and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.  HIPRC faculty and staff are devoted to conducting research, education, and community outreach aimed at diminishing the personal impact of trauma and broadening the effectiveness of injury prevention and treatment programs regionally and nationally.

HIPRC is a nationally known, respected and influential research center within UW.  The PIS serves as a representative of HIPRC and UW in communications with internal and external individuals and organizations. Clear and comprehensive coverage of HIPRC research, education, training and outreach activities serves to enhance potential public and private funding for HIPRC and for UW.

Communications & Messaging = 75%

Promote HIPRC research and community outreach activity:
•Write, edit, and produce a weekly electronic bulletin that describes HIPRC media coverage, upcoming events, seminars, workshops, and current injury research news
•Produce a quarterly newsletter that includes interviewing faculty and creating charts/graphs
•Photograph and promote HIPRC outreach and educational events
•Perform photography, videography and graphic design, as needed

Digital Communications:

•Manage the HIPRC website using WordPress
•Update website content
•Communicate with UW Medicine IT regarding website updates and security
•Ensure the faculty/staff lists, publications, and research projects on the website are up-to-date
•Manage HIPRC social media accounts, expand followers, and engage with other injury organizations
•Develop visual and text outreach messages on specific injury topics

Strategic Communications Planning and Evaluation = 15%

•Formulate and oversee an annual communications strategic plan with HIPRC programs and cores, assessing opportunities and evaluating communications needs
•Positively interacts with medical, scientific, public health, and communications professionals within HIPRC and across the University to ensure understanding of communications strategies
•Develop communications success metrics and share with HIPRC, program and core leadership on a quarterly basis; measure social media and website metrics and other analytics against communications goals to guide priorities
•Develop key performance indicators (KPIs)
•Follow UW Medicine Web and Marketing standards to ensure HIPRC remains up to date with the current brand standards.

Oversee External Media Coverage = 10%   
                                                 
•Track, analyze and collate HIPRC media coverage
•Work with UW Medicine Marketing and Communications team
•Follow injury topics in the media and create timely messaging

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

•Education: Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, public health or related discipline
•2 years of communications experience including:
•Writing, interviewing, editing, and proofreading
•Drafting reports, news releases, and fact sheets
•Developing content for websites and/or newsletter

Other Qualifications

•Demonstrated knowledge of social media including twitter, blogs, etc.
•Ability to prioritize workload, work under deadlines, and manage multiple assignments
•Ability to act in professional, diplomatic manner with diverse individuals and groups;
•Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud
•Ability to quickly learn and apply new or unfamiliar technologies
•Demonstrated customer service and ability to work well in a team
•Must be self-directed and take independent initiative within scope of position
•Must be able to relate to and gain confidence of senior medical academics as well outside media and other communications professionals 

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

•Master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field
•3 or more years' communications positions of increasing responsibility, complexity and diversity
•Demonstrated interest in health, injury prevention, public health, or health education
•Experience working in an academic, healthcare environment
•Strong background in working with diverse management and employee groups within a large organization is preferred
•Candidates with diverse or non-traditional backgrounds
•Skills in photography, video production, and graphic design
•Familiarity and experience with WordPress

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.