Communication Specialist

Location: Nashville, TN
Pay Rate: $35.00/hour
Employment Type: Contract
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM CST, 37.5 hours per week
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Contract Duration: December 2026 – June 2027, with potential for annual renewal
Residency Requirement: Candidates must be Tennessee residents prior.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Communication Specialist to support a public-health program focused on children and youth with special healthcare needs. This is a hands-on communications and community engagement role responsible for turning healthcare program information into clear, engaging, culturally competent, and accessible content for Tennessee families and community partners.
The Communication Specialist will manage communications planning, newsletters, social media and public-service campaigns, website updates, print and digital materials, storytelling initiatives, interviews, photography and video projects, partner engagement, and communications performance reporting.
Strong writing, editing, storytelling, Canva, graphic design, and community engagement skills are essential for success in this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and implement communication plans aligned with program goals and objectives.
• Develop newsletters, social media campaigns, public service announcements, website content, and printed and digital collateral.
• Write, edit, and proofread clear and engaging content for multiple audiences.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and community partners to develop culturally competent communications.
• Update and maintain program website content.
• Create and track communications performance indicators and report platform metrics.
• Develop community-focused stories through interviews, photography, videography, and other storytelling methods.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal teams and external community partners.
• Support statewide campaigns and community education initiatives.
• Apply or learn digital accessibility requirements, including WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 standards.
• Manage multiple projects, deadlines, and changing priorities while working in a hybrid environment.

Top Requirements

• 2–5 years of relevant communications experience, ideally within public health, healthcare, nonprofit, government, or another mission-driven organization.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with writing samples, bylined work, or other examples available.
• Hands-on experience with Canva and Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.
• Strong graphic design capabilities, with graphic design samples available for review.
• Experience creating newsletters, social media campaigns, public service announcements, website content, and print/digital collateral.
• Experience tracking, analyzing, and reporting communications or platform performance metrics.
• Understanding of culturally competent and sensitive health communications.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 digital accessibility standards.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Must be a Tennessee resident and able to meet the Nashville hybrid/in-person requirements.

Education Requirements

Relevant education or equivalent professional experience in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Graphic Design, or a related field will be considered.

• High School Diploma/GED: Considered with relevant professional experience and a strong non-collegiate portfolio demonstrating communications, writing, content development, and graphic design capabilities.
• Associate Degree: Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Graphic Design, or a related discipline preferred, along with relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree: Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent professional experience demonstrated through a strong portfolio may be considered in place of a college degree.

Required Skills

• Communication.
• Professional writing and editing.
• Storytelling and content development.
• Canva.
• Graphic design.
• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Microsoft Excel.
• Website content management.
• Social media and digital communications.
• Communications metrics and reporting.
• Web accessibility.
• WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508.
• Community engagement.
• Cultural competency.
• Project and deadline management.

Portfolio Requirements

Candidates should include a portfolio or portfolio link with their resume. Relevant samples may include:

• Graphic design samples.
• Writing samples or bylined work.
• Newsletters.
• Social media content.
• Digital campaigns.
• Public service announcements.
• Website content.
• Community outreach materials.
• Photography, video, or storytelling projects.

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