📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Media Relations Specialist III (ALD)
🔹 Company: L.A. Care Health Plan
🔹 Location: Los Angeles, California
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Limited Duration (1-2 years)
🔹 Category: Healthcare, Nonprofit
🔹 Date Posted: June 10, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategizing and leading public relations activities to support L.A. Care's mission
- Managing media relations and communication strategies
- Collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders
- Overseeing media events and crisis management
- Mentoring and training staff on media and public relations issues
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of experience and expertise in media relations and public relations, with a focus on healthcare or public agencies.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Establish and cultivate relationships with media to increase L.A. Care's positive profile
✅ Respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews
✅ Proactively pitch media on L.A. Care's stories and initiatives
✅ Develop and edit materials for various external audiences
✅ Support Director on issues management and crisis communication
✅ Coordinate and execute media events, and manage media at L.A. Care events
✅ Provide media training and public speaking preparation for L.A. Care leadership
✅ Mentor other Communications Department staff on media and public relations issues
ASSUMPTION: This role involves managing multiple projects and deadlines, requiring strong organizational and time management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Communications or Journalism (or equivalent education and/or experience)
Experience: At least 5 years of relevant and increasing responsibility experience
Required Skills:
- Existing relationships with regional, community, ethnic, and health industry journalists
- Superior writing, editing, and interpersonal skills
- Superior research and information gathering skills
- Ability to quickly and concisely draft a wide range of high-quality materials
- Ability to manage public relations vendors
- Ability to interview internal and external subjects, including C-level executives
- Deep understanding of current events and social media trends
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects at once and on deadline
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
- Persuasion skills to influence media and position L.A. Care executives as thought leaders
Preferred Skills:
- Bilingual in one of L.A. Care's threshold languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Armenian, Arabic, Farsi, Khmer, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Vietnamese)
- Experience within a healthcare organization, nonprofit, or public agency
- Understanding of Medi-Cal, Medicare, and related public health programs
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of experience and expertise in media relations and public relations, with a focus on healthcare or public agencies.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $88,854 (Min.) - $115,509 (Mid.) - $142,166 (Max.)
Benefits:
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Retirement Plans
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Wellness Program
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on market research and industry standards for similar roles in the Los Angeles area.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: L.A. Care Health Plan is a nonprofit, publicly operated health plan serving more than 2.6 million members in Los Angeles County, making it the largest publicly operated health plan in the country.
Company Size: L.A. Care Health Plan has 1,001-5,000 employees, making it a mid-sized organization.
Founded: L.A. Care Health Plan was founded in 1997.
Company Description:
- L.A. Care's mission is to provide access to quality health care for L.A. County's low-income communities and support the safety net required to achieve that purpose.
- L.A. Care offers four health coverage plans, including Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Covered™, L.A. Care Medicare Plus, and the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan.
- L.A. Care prioritizes quality, access, and inclusion, elevating health care for all of L.A. County.
Company Specialties:
- HMO
- Health Information Technology
- Healthcare Insurance
- Community Health
Company Website: www.lacare.org
ASSUMPTION: L.A. Care Health Plan is a large, established organization with a significant impact on the Los Angeles County healthcare landscape.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior specialist level, requiring a high level of experience and expertise in media relations and public relations.
Reporting Structure: The Media Relations Specialist III reports directly to the Director of Communications.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with a limited duration of 1-2 years.
Growth Opportunities:
- Mentoring and training opportunities for other Communications Department staff
- Potential career growth within the Communications Department or the organization
- Expanding speaking engagement opportunities for L.A. Care leadership
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the Communications Department and the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: L.A. Care Health Plan has a single office location in Los Angeles, California.
Office Location(s): 1055 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017, US
Geographic Context:
- Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States, with a diverse population and a vibrant cultural scene.
- The office is located in the downtown Los Angeles area, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
- The Los Angeles County healthcare landscape is dynamic and competitive, with numerous healthcare providers and organizations.
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with a limited duration of 1-2 years.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on collaboration and teamwork.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the Director of Communications
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Media relations and public relations experience
- Writing, editing, and interpersonal skills
- Research and information gathering skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Understanding of L.A. Care's mission, values, and priorities
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your media relations and public relations work, including successful campaigns and initiatives
- Research L.A. Care Health Plan's mission, values, and priorities to demonstrate your understanding of the organization
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, the team, and the organization
ATS Keywords: Media Relations, Public Relations, Writing, Editing, Interpersonal Skills, Research, Communication, Crisis Management, Media Training, Event Coordination, Stakeholder Collaboration, Content Development
ASSUMPTION: The application process may take several weeks, depending on the volume of applicants and the organization's hiring timeline.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
- Media monitoring and clipping services
- Social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube)
- Video production equipment and software
ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency with Microsoft Office and various media relations and public relations tools and technologies.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Quality
- Access
- Inclusion
- Accountability
- Responsiveness
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Focused on results and outcomes
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with L.A. Care's values of quality, access, inclusion, accountability, and responsiveness?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple projects and deadlines?
- Do you have experience working in a nonprofit or public agency setting?
ASSUMPTION: L.A. Care Health Plan values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a focus on collaboration and teamwork.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The dynamic and competitive Los Angeles County healthcare landscape may present unique challenges for media relations and public relations efforts
- The role requires managing multiple projects and deadlines, which can be stressful and demanding
- The limited duration of the role (1-2 years) may present challenges for long-term career planning
- The on-site work arrangement may present challenges for individuals who prefer remote or hybrid work arrangements
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for professional growth and development.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other senior media relations and public relations roles in the healthcare industry, with a focus on healthcare organizations and public agencies
- The role requires a high level of experience and expertise, with a focus on media relations and public relations skills
- The role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the Communications Department and the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other senior media relations and public relations roles in the healthcare industry, with a focus on healthcare organizations and public agencies.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a successful media campaign to launch a new healthcare initiative or program
- Managing a crisis communication situation, such as a data breach or negative media coverage
- Coordinating and executing a media event, such as a press conference or ribbon-cutting ceremony
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and challenges faced by the Media Relations Specialist III role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most pressing media relations challenges facing L.A. Care Health Plan currently?
- How does the Communications Department collaborate with other departments within L.A. Care Health Plan?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the Communications Department and the organization?
- How does L.A. Care Health Plan support work-life balance for its employees?
- What is the typical career path for a Media Relations Specialist III at L.A. Care Health Plan?
ASSUMPTION: These key questions help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your media relations and public relations work, including successful campaigns and initiatives
- Research L.A. Care Health Plan's mission, values, and priorities to demonstrate your understanding of the organization
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, the team, and the organization
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
