Divisions Communication Strategist

The Department of Health Services (DHS) strives to protect and promote the health and safety of all people of Wisconsin through the efforts of a dedicated workforce. DHS works to ensure access to individuals, families, and communities to achieve positive health outcomes in the areas of abuse prevention, mental health, public health, family care, long-term care, and much more.

The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is looking to hire a Division Communications Strategist. DQA is responsible for protecting and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of residents living in and being cared for in the health and residential care facilities we regulate.

This position

• offers the option to work remotely up to 5 days per week and is headquartered in the 201
  
  E. Washington Ave . office in downtown Madison. This schedule may vary based on training or operational need.
• Will typically work Monday
  - Friday during regular business hours, with some flexibility.
• Top rated health plan options starting at $47/month for single plans and $117/month for family plans, after 2 months of state service.
• Several flex spending accounts: medical, dependent care, commuter, parking and High-Deductible Health Savings.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being.

As the Division Communications Strategist, you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Developing, reviewing, and implementing the DQA’s external communication strategy.
• Serving as a communications lead for designated projects and initiatives for DQA.
• Coordinating and developing provider relations and public communications.
• Coordinating high-visibility inquiries.
• Creating communications plans and standards.
• Developing guidance on policy and procedure messaging and delivery.
• Coordinating DQA media relations.
• Creating clear, accessible, and engaging content for diverse audiences across the state – including DHS staff, DQA partners, licensed facilities and providers, and the general public.
• Coordinating and developing controlled correspondence, centralized intake operations, and supporting constituent-relations protocols.
• Promoting consistent, transparent, and responsive communications across all DQA programs.
• Working closely with other members of the DQA Administrator’s Office team as well as with others in DQA bureaus and offices, across DHS divisions, and other external partners.

The starting pay is between $38.00 and $43.00 per hour (approximately between $79,000 and $89,400 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. A 12-month probationary period is required.

Pay for current or former state employees will be set based on the rules that apply to compensation for the applicable transaction. This position is classified as a Communications Specialist
- Advanced and is in pay schedule and range 07/03.

All applicants who may be appointed to this position will be required to allow DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.

For positions that allow remote working flexibility, working outside of Wisconsin or in bordering cities will not be allowed except in extremely limited circumstances due to the need to report to an office location in Wisconsin on short notice.

• Experience developing and delivering written, digital, and verbal communications for diverse audiences (e.g. internal staff, enterprise partners, licensed facilities or providers, customers, public, etc.).
• Experience managing communication initiatives or projects, including planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience translating complex information into clear, accessible language for internal and external partners, and public use.
• Experience working across teams or organizations to align communication strategies and build coalitions.
• Experience managing high-visibility inquiries, media responses, or potentially contentious communication issues.
• Experience working with web content, social media messaging, and…