Building Healthy Communities Merced Position Opening

Job Title:        HUB Communications Specialist

Reports to:    HUB Manager

Location: Merced, CA, includes travel within Merced County: South Merced, East Merced County.

Status: Full-time, exempt position, grant funded through February 27, 2015. 

Compensation: Salary of $37,000 per year plus benefits.

Deadline: July 18, 2014

About Building Healthy Communities Merced

Building Healthy Communities (BHC) is a 10-year strategic effort funded by The California Endowment (TCE) aimed at improving the health status of communities in fourteen California sites. BHC is working to create healthy communities through policy and systems change driven by intentional resident engagement and systems partnerships.

Job Description: 

The Hub Communications Specialist serves as the media contact and spokesperson for the Building Healthy Communities Hub. The position’s primary function is to provide day-to-day media support and coordination of publicity and public relations related to the Hub, BHC and TCE, as they relate to the Southwest Merced/East Merced County site. He or she also assists with other project-related activities as needed.

Given the nature of the work, this position requires flexible hours including work on some evenings and weekends. The Communications Specialist will be expected to make the position his or her top priority and to arrange a work schedule that reflects that level of commitment.

Role:

The communications specialist’s role is to identify all critical audiences, both internal and external to the Hub Collaborative. He or she ensures that all important messages are transmitted using a wide range of media channels with an emphasis on feedback, inclusion, transparency and outreach.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume and names and contacts of 3 job references.

1. Cover letter explaining why you are applying for the position and your experience working with collaborative to achieve community-wide goals.

2. Resume

3. One page writing sample – English

4. Sample Press Release

5. Sample News Article

6. Sample Blog or Newsletter

7. One page writing sample – Spanish (optional)

8. 3 professional references – profession, address and phone numbers

Only complete electronic submissions will be considered.

Please submit to:

isai@unitedwaymerced.org

• Merced: United Way Office 
• Le Grand: Le Grand High School
• Planada: Cesar Chavez Middle School
• Beachwood Franklin: Joe Stefani and Franklin Elementary Schools
• United Way, Merced

Thanks to voter-approved Proposition 30 and an improving economy, California has started to reverse years of budget cuts and teacher layoffs.  State education spending is expected to increase $18 billion over the next eight years.  The Fair School Funding law – formally called the Local Control Funding Formula - determines how dollars will be distributed and how they can be used.

 Fair School Funding makes these important changes:

1.     More Money for Schools with the Greatest Needs. Fair School Funding increases dollars to specifically support the needs of students who are low-income, learning to speak English and living in foster homes.  

2.     A New Definition of School Success. Fair School Funding means schools won’t be judged by test scores alone.  Schools now also must develop plans to improve parent involvement, student engagement, and positive learning environments.

3.     More Local Control.  Fair School Funding gives parents and local school leaders more control over spending.  Under the new law, they will work together to create achievement plans and budgets to meet the unique needs of students in their communities. 

The Fair School Funding Law was signed into law on July 1^st, 2013.  It was approved quickly and many details are still to be defined by the California Board of Education.  This fall, the Board is considering two important decisions:  (1) regulations that will define how new dollars can be spent; and (2) a template for an achievement plan (the Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP) that every school district will complete to show goals and progress under the new law. The Board has asked for public input in advance of their final decisions in early 2014.  That’s why the School Success Express Tour is happening now.   After the Board makes its decisions, school districts will craft three-year student achievement plans and supporting budgets that will take effect starting July 1.  However, given the scope of the changes and new requirements for community input, the state encourages school districts to not wait until the spring to engage parents and students in this new process.

Please See the attached FAQ and Flyer for more information.  If you have questions regarding the forum on October 24th, please contact Isai Palma at 209-777-9898.