Policy and Communications Associate- Public Health AmeriCorps (25-27 hrs/week avg)

Applications reviewed on rolling basis. Interviews to begin immediately.

INGHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AMERICORPS is a national service program. Members are not employees, volunteers or interns.

Host Site: Lansing School District – Office of School Culture

Position Title: Public Health Project Specialist – Data and Systems Coordinator

SERVICE DETAILS

Term of Service: January 26, 2026 to September 30, 2026 (35 weeks)

Slot Type and Minimum Service Hours: 900 hrs

Living Stipend: $11,000

Educational Award: $3,697.50

POSITION DETAILS

Host Site: Ingham County Health Department – Community Health, Planning, and Partnerships

Position Title: Policy and Communications Associate – Community Health, Planning, and Partnerships

Reports To: Ali Rogers, Ireland Ingram, and Anne Barna

ABOUT THE HOST SITE

Our mission is to protect, improve, and advocate for the health and well-being of our community by identifying and advancing the conditions under which all people can achieve optimum health.

Website: https://health.ingham.org

MEMBER IMPACT

Under the direction and supervision of the Policy Analyst and Health Communication Specialist, the Policy and Communications Associate member will focus on researching and identifying public health communication strategies related to access to care and upcoming Medicaid changes, support community engagement activities, and supporting the relationship between public health policy and health communication.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Policy and Communications Associate will perform a variety of duties including:

Research and Data Analysis

• Track and compile updates on trends in Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the health insurance Marketplace with specific focus on impact to vulnerable populations

• Research pre-bunking techniques and practices from other local health departments across the state and country based on current or trending public health policies and practices

• Research Health in All Policies approaches and best practices

• Research and identify most effective physical community locations for dissemination of public health communications

Community Engagement and Data Collection

• Plan and host community listening sessions to identify what community members think about various health issues to address the gap between the information local health officials provide the public about and what residents actually seek to know

• Select and designate appropriate locations for listening sessions or community feedback and obtain participant consent

• Create, disseminate, and collect community feedback surveys on topics related to public health communication, understanding public health, the relationship between public health and policy, and access to care.

• Identify, reach out to, and build relationships with community partners, peer organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to support objectives

• Collaborate with ICHD Policy Analyst in expanding Health in All Policies communication strategies with external partners

• Participate in community collaboratives and workgroups that support objectives around public health communication, pre-bunking strategies, or general public health

Communications and Reporting

• Analyze trends and monitor media for public health issues

• Create a schedule for an information dissemination timeline regarding key topics identified and approved by supervisors

• Support the development of a policy and communication strategy for a “pre-bunking” project to stem the prominence of misinformation and disinformation on public health issues

• Proactively disseminate science-backed information via social media and community distribution for the “pre-bunking” project

• Create and disseminate marketing and educational information such as flyers, brochures, and infographics for ICHD and ICHCs

• Identify and generate marketing tactics for the dissemination of created promotional materials

• Conduct outreach virtually and in-person to promote ICHD and ICHC programs to the public

• Support the establishment of a framework and toolkit for information delivery

• Evaluate the efficacy of various methods of information dissemination

• Spotlight relevant observances, community partners, public health issues, or special projects via official ICHD social media

• Maintain organized files, assets, and content libraries to support efficient communication workflows

• Track metrics for communication campaigns and generate simple reports to inform future strategy

• Maintain brand consistency across all communications, channels, and materials

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Some experience or education in public health, community health, policy, or related field

• Proficiency with common communication tools (such as Microsoft Office, basic content creation tools, Adobe Office, Canva, etc.)

• Some experience with health research

• Basic experience with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, Linkedin) and understanding of analytics concepts such as reach, impressions, and engagement

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently when appropriate

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• 1 year of experience in health communication or journalism

• Familiarity with health communication theory and strategies

• Experience with data management and maintaining confidentiality of data

SERVICE CONDITIONS

• Hybrid in-person/teleservice.

• In-person location: Ingham County Health Department 5303 S Cedar St., Lansing, MI. Service on Tuesday and Wednesday must be in person. Schedule may include other days in-person, flexibility based on agreement with site supervisors

• ICHD will provide laptop, Microsoft 360, may provide cell phone/work phone if needed based on agreement with site supervisors; member is responsible for their own alternative work site equipment outside of the previously listed items

• In-person environment: shared office space with Innovation and Planning Division; may be required to be off-site at local community agencies

• Members are required to have reliable transportation

Service Schedule:

• Service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays must be completed in-person unless otherwise arranged

• A regular service schedule will be determined between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm. Schedule flexibility can be shifted based on agreements with site supervisors

• Occasional evening hours for community conversations/listening sessions

• Members are required to participate and attend monthly ICHD Public Health AmeriCorps professional development, quarterly ICHD AmeriCorps professional development, participate in events including national service days, and regional and local service projects

• Sick or personal days are allowed, but members lose possible days to earn the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance

AMERICORPS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Participate in monthly ICHD PHA AmeriCorps Training and Professional Development in topics like grant-writing and resume development

• Participate in National Days of Service (9/11 Day of Service, MLK Day of Service, Russ Mawby Regional Day of Service, Youth Volunteer Day)

• Attend AmeriCorps orientation at the Ingham County Health Department

• All members will participate in an end of service performance evaluation

• All members will be required to submit bi-weekly time sheets, quarterly data reports, and all other data tasks requested by the Host Site

Public Health AmeriCorps Members should possess:

• a desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people;

• a willingness to learn and serve others;

• an ability to work independently and in a team environment successfully, and

• strong organizational, writing, and oral communication skills, and a high attention to detail

AmeriCorps Program Eligibility

• be 17 years or older at the start of service (no upper age limit)

• be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien

• Agree to and pass a national service criminal history check with eligibility verification in accordance with 45 CFR 2540.202.

AmeriCorps Commitment and Benefits

• Loan forbearance and interest repayment available for eligible loans

• End of Service Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50

• $25 per month allowance for mileage reimbursement during each month of service for service related travel

• Up to $130 available in professional development funds

• Member Assistance Program

• Hands-on experience in Public Health

APPLICATION PROCESS

County of Ingham is an equal-opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made for interview/service as needed. To apply, submit application via https://bit.ly/ICHDapply or submit resume directly to rrizk@ingham.org.

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary, Contract, Internship

Pay: $11,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Professional development assistance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• REQUIRED: In 100-200 words, why are you interested in serving with Public Health AmeriCorps? Learn more about AmeriCorps at https://health.ingham.org/health/communityhealth,planningandpartnerships/americorps_publichealth.php

Failure to answer will exclude you as an applicant.

• REQUIRED:

Compensation for AmeriCorps are a living allowance and dependent on the number of service hours agreed to. The living stipend is $11,000 for 900 service hours.

National Service Criminal History Checks (NSCHC) is a baseline screening requirement established by law to protect the beneficiaries of national service. AmeriCorps requires members to pass a National Service Criminal History check. Programs may have additional suitability criteria to protect beneficiaries. For a list of NSCHC eligibility criteria assessed visit: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-2540.202

To serve with AmeriCorps you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien.

*ACKNOWLEDGE your receipt of this information by including your initials.
Failure to answer will exclude you as an applicant.*

Ability to Commute:

• Lansing, MI 48911 (Required)

Work Location: In person