Safe Routes to School Communications Specialist

Job Title:           Safe Routes to School Communications Specialist

Start Date:         Nov 20, 2017

End Date:           Dec. 31, 2018

Terms:                Contract, hourly position average 15 hours/week (flexible range 10-25 hours per week)

Hourly Wage:     $35-40/hr

Department:     BPS Health and Wellness

Reports to:         Assistant Director of Wellness Policies & Promotions 

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Boston is a city-wide effort to promote walking and biking to school and to support and rally neighborhoods and the community as a whole to work toward making walking to school safe, popular, and fun. Since 2014, the Safe Routes to School Boston program has been funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is one of the CDC’s Hi-5 initiatives, meaning this program has the greatest potential to positively impact health across the population.  In collaboration with the Boston Public Health Commission, BPS, through the Health and Wellness Department, has taken the lead on the program as it aligns with our mission to promote the health and wellbeing of all students.  

The Health and Wellness Department is an integral part of the BPS Social, Emotional Learning and Wellness Office. The Health and Wellness Department (HWD) provides an array of interdisciplinary services and supports to schools in five target areas: comprehensive health education, physical education, physical activity, policy and advocacy, and wellness promotions.  

Through new grant funding (Bloomberg Philanthropies Partnership for Healthy Cities), HWD aims to enhance the visibility and reach of the SRTS Boston program. Specific goals for the next year are to: maintain and increase visibility of program across district; engage the parent community; and support implementation of the SRTS Boston’s Strategic Plan. 

Position Summary and Responsibilities

The Communications Specialist will work within the BPS Health and Wellness Department on the following key strategies: 

1. SRTS-Boston visibility
a. Maintain district-wide communications strategy to build awareness via regular e-newsletters; social media outreach; event promotion; and materials distribution
b.     Assist schools with the planning of Walk to School Day events (annual spring and fall events), and work with BPS Communications Department to plan media outreach
c.     Oversee SRTS website to keep current and interactive
d.     Attend school or district-wide outreach events as they may occur (examples: school based wellness council meetings or open houses, district parent council, etc.)

2.     Parent Engagement
a.     Promote and support parent outreach via priority schools (6 pre-selected schools that have been active participants in the SRTS program)
b.     Connect with parents via district events as identified

3.     Support Wellness Champions and Implementation of Strategic Plan
a.     Oversee 6 SRTS Wellness Champions in priority schools; provide technical assistance and support as it aligns with goals
b.     Identify and implement training opportunities
c.     Participate in planning meetings

4.     General Health and Wellness Department Support
a.     Support HWD in various projects as they may occur, such as Annual Wellness Summit, training   events, district activities

5.     Liaise with the Boston Public Health Commission
a.     Communicate regularly with BPHC Associate Director of Chronic Disease
b.     Provide written updates and reports on SRTS activities
c.     Participate in planning and taskforce meetings

 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills and experience in event planning, promotions, or marketing; public health knowledge and/or experience working in diverse urban school district; and knowledge of Safe Routes to School or other urban planning programs.

 Required skills and background

• Bachelor’s degree in health communications or promotion, or public health
  
• 1-3 years communications work, such as newsletter delivery, website, and social media
  
• Experience coordinating and implementing projects
  
• Experience planning and implementing trainings to various audiences
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking
  
• Experience working in or with schools, especially in an urban setting
  
• Excellent planning and organizational skills with a strong attention to detail
  
• Self-motivated and able to manage time effectively
  
• Aptitude for problem solving, excellent listening skills and enjoys working on diverse teams
  
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule to enable participation in school-based events that may occur in evenings or occasional weekend days, or to meet deadlines
  
• Enthusiasm for working in the fast-paced environment and flexibility in performing multiple duties that apply to the success of the program
  
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Word, PowerPoint and Publisher)
  

 

Preferred skills and background

• Master’s degree in health communications or promotion, or public health
  
• Experience with digital communications and social media, including website design
  
• Knowledge and understanding of brand identify and ability to meet set style guidelines