Public Information Specialist (Communications and Media Manager, 0097327T) at University of Hawaii

About the Department

Title: Public Information Specialist (Communications & Media Manager)
Position Number: 0097327T
Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Office of Strategic Health Initiatives (OSHI)
Location: Manoa Campus
Date Posted: October 16, 2025
Closing Date: October 30, 2025 @ 11:59pm
Band: B
Salary : salary schedules and placement information
Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience.
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions: Position is annually renewable every July 1 contingent on performance and availability of funds. This is not a remote position.

Duties and Responsibilities
    (** denotes Essential Functions)

• **Design and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications plan for the Red Hill Registry to promote enrollment growth, retain participants, and produce and distribute educational materials under the guidance of the Registry Director and Principal Investigator within the Office of Strategic Health Initiatives.
• **Build campaigns that strengthen community trust and support recruitment and enrollment goals for longitudinal survey administration. Track and report campaign performance using analytics, adjusting strategies for maximum impact. Develop digital storytelling campaigns that feature participant voices (short videos, testimonials, reels).
• **Collaborate with internal and external partners, including military and civilian stakeholders, regarding marketing and communications strategies.
• **Produce ideas for promotional events or activities and execute them efficiently in collaboration with the Director of Community Engagement.
• **Conduct performance analytics on marketing and communications strategies and submit goals and performance reports regularly.
• **Produce, distribute, organize, and track content for the Registry, including emails, newsletter publications, social media, collateral materials, presentations, and website updates.
• **Coordinate with the Director of Community Engagement to develop and implement a social media plan to grow engagement and followers organically through authentic, community-trusted content. 
• **Establish a network of trusted stakeholders to share and boost Registry messaging.
• **Coordinate updates to the Registry’s website.
• **Acts as the Registry’s agent towards external parties, such as media and stakeholders, and build strategic partnerships.
• **Manage media engagement by drafting high-quality press releases and talking points for Registry staff; scheduling interviews with media outlets; preparing Registry staff for media and public engagement; and reviewing all Registry messaging to the public. 
• **Communicate information on program activities to internal and external partners and constituents in a logical, methodical, and organized manner.
• **Support leadership and staff management of Registry initiatives.
• **Establish and manage marketing and communications plan goals and timelines, and monitor program budget and purchases such as tangible promotional items and costs associated with advertising efforts across media platforms.
• **Develop and maintain a crisis communications playbook with draft statements, escalation protocols, and key talking points that protect the Registry’s reputation. Serve as the Registry’s agent by effectively managing and disseminating information during critical, high-profile events to maintain public trust, and guide appropriate actions and responses. Elevate the Registry’s awareness and response to negative news and/or category situations. 
• **Plan, coordinate, and attend meetings and conferences or other activities in support of the Registry.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Professional Work Experience:

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in business administration, marketing, journalism, communications, public health, health sciences, political sciences, or related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in marketing, communications, media, health literacy, health policy initiatives, and/or health science initiatives; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques in the area of marketing and communications and project management as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with current marketing techniques and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally, and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, design, social media and website-building software.
• For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of web analytics (e.g. Google Analytics, WebTrends etc.) and Google Adwords.
• Experience with crisis communications and community relations.
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills with the ability to lead and manage communications strategies within a growing office.
• Understanding of the importance of cultural competence in the workplace and in the community impacted by the Red Hill water crisis.
• Experience and flexibility to work in startup projects.
• Demonstrated understanding of organizational processes and ability to implement processes to improve efficiency and gain organizational acceptance through basic change management skills.
• Ability to travel for the purpose of attending meetings, training, and other activities in support of the project.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctoral level degree in public health, health sciences, business administration, communications, journalism, public administration, or related field.
• Experience working with federally-funded projects within higher education systems in support of research and community programs.
• Familiarity with the University of Hawai‘i System.
• Familiarity with the Department of Defense and military communities.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed communication methods and sensitivity when constructing messages to communities impacted by traumatic events.
• Professional chartered marketer (CIM).
• Proven experience as a Marketing Manager.
• Fluency in another language.
• Knowledge of health and healthcare disparities with respect to issues specifically related to military families, Native Hawaiians and underrepresented minorities in Hawai‘i.
• Experience with website design and maintenance.
• Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner. Requirements may be fulfilled by a valid Hawai'i Driver's License (Class 3), comparable driver's license, or other means of transportation that meets position needs.

To Apply:

Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and upload required documents. Required documents include: (1) cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications; (2) resume; (3) the names and contact information of at least three professional references; and (4) transcripts showing degree and coursework to date appropriate to the position (original official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.) NOTE: Please create a new account if this is your first time applying for a position using NEOGOV.

Inquiries:

Dr. Aimee Grace; [email protected]

Position Duties

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status.  For more information, visit:  https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
 
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
 
In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status. 
 
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