Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

DEPARTMENT:
Housing for Health

ADDRESS:
655 S. Maple, Los Angeles, CA 90014 

WEBSITE:
https://dhs.lacounty.gov/housing-for-health/ 

SITE SUPERVISOR:
Sally Malone (she/her)
Manager, Policy and External Affairs

JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Policy & Communications analyst will serve a supportive role for Housing for Health working on policy and communications. This position will assist with developing and implementing the growing policy & communications work at Housing for Health. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, has a passion for working for the public good, has knowledge of the homeless services continuum in LA County and experience with and interest in policy and communications. 

The person filling this role is an excellent verbal and written communicator, problem solver, and analytical thinker with the ability to engage with stakeholders and understand and respond to their needs in rapidly changing environments. They are highly organized and can manage multiple overlapping timelines and projects. 

The position will report to the Manager for Policy and External Affairs, Housing for Health, and will work closely with the Communications Manager, Community Programs.  

Housing for Health is a program of the LA County Department of Health Services, in the Community Programs unit. The program provides housing and supportive services to individuals who are homeless and who have complex medical or behavioral health conditions. 

JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develop a wide variety of internal and external communication materials that support Housing for Health’s mission, including researching and drafting content, designing visually appealing materials, and maintaining communication channels.    

• Research and maintain an understanding of evidence-based policies in the field of homelessness and interventions for homeless high-need, high-cost populations that address the social determinants of health, including Housing First, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, permanent supportive housing, medical respite care, and the mechanisms of health care payment and delivery reform. 

• Develop first drafts of a variety of materials, including internal and external policy documents, communications to providers, social media posts, talking points, press releases, media pitches and wider communications representing the program. 

• Gather and write content for the Housing for Health newsletter and distribute the newsletter. 

• Organize and provide support for internal and external presentations, policy and/or communications workgroups, stakeholder engagement activities, and other projects within policy and communications. 

• Monitor communications from external stakeholders, such as the Board of Supervisors, LAHSA, other County departments, media and nonprofit partners and disseminate, as needed. 

• Identify unmet communication needs at Housing for Health and work proactively with the Manager to address them.  

• Regularly update information and materials on the Housing for Health website. 

• Work across a variety of program and operational areas within HFH. 

• Accompany reporters during visits to Housing for Health sites, ensuring client consent forms are signed and unanswered questions are relayed to the experts. 

• Provide support for short-term and long-term projects related to program policy and communications, including training, events and brown bag sessions. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as public health, public administration, healthcare administration, communications, journalism, public policy, social work, urban affairs. A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions. 

Education/Experience  

Three years of experience in a staff capacity analyzing and making recommendations for the solution of problems of organization, program, procedure, budget or personnel - OR -Two years of highly responsible administrative or staff experience at the level of the County of Los Angeles class of Administrative Assistant III, Assistant Hospital Administrator I, Contract Program Auditor, or higher - OR - One year of responsible staff experience in health care financial operations, or in professional Accounting. 

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities: 

• Strong written and oral communication skills 

• 1-2 years of experience drafting written materials and providing communications and/or policy support, preferably with or in relation to a public program. Graduate education may substitute for experience.  

• Commitment to the mission of ending homelessness. 

• Good team player that focuses on solutions. 

• Ability to learn quickly, think critically, collaborate with a team and adapt to shifting priorities. 

• Curious, proactive, self-motivated and detail-oriented, with a passion for producing quality work products. 

• Some knowledge of LA County programs that are designed to serve the underserved. 

OTHER DETAILS:

• Start date:
  January 3, 2023

• Do you expect the Hilton Fellow to work more than 40 hours per week at any given time during the two year placement?
  Yes, rarely

• Is there an expectation to work on weekends?
  No

• Is there an expectation to work on holidays?
  No

• What is the workplace type?
  Hybrid work

• Any other requirements?
  Covid-19 vaccination requirement and background check