Job overview
This post is fixed term / secondment until October 2026 due to secondment cover.
If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.
The Welsh Ambulance Service is recruiting a Communications Officer to join its small but high-performing Communications Team to deliver first-rate communications and engagement activity to promote and enhance the reputation of the Trust.
The role includes general communications duties, as well as specific responsibilities for the day-to-day running of the press office, generation of news coverage and the co-ordination of the Trust’s social media activity.
The post-holder will improve and protect the reputation of the Welsh Ambulance Service and ensure that patients, public, staff and stakeholders have confidence in the services we deliver.
The post-holder will support the Communications Team’s media relations activity, working closely with the Board, staff and journalists to optimise the organisation’s media profile and ensure that complex and/or sensitive issues are dealt with in an open and constructive manner, minimising reputational damage.
Main duties of the job
* Protect and enhance the Trust’s reputation by identifying and responding to media enquiries in a timely manner, including monitoring and evaluating Trust social media activity. Generation of pro-active good news stories which celebrate the work of the Welsh Ambulance Service and its people, acting as the Communications lead for media and PR activity.
* Protect and enhance the Trust’s reputation by identifying and responding to social media enquiries in a timely manner, including monitoring and evaluating Trust social media activity.
* Develop and co-ordinate campaigns and material to support Trust objectives by generating crisp and engaging copy for all platforms, co-ordinating the distribution and publishing of content for all digital communications.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Working for our organisation
#RemarkablePeople
Our workforce is made up of over 4,000 remarkable people who contribute to the delivery of world-class patient care across Wales, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether you work in a patient-facing role or within our range of support services, the work that you do enables us to provide high quality care, wherever and whenever we’re needed.
The Trust recognises the need for its workforce to represent the diversity of the population it serves across the whole of Wales and seeks to create an environment where diversity is celebrated and inclusivity matters. We are also keen to break down any barriers into the Trust, and would encourage applications from under-represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ communities and disability groups.
Careers within the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust are diverse and varied, with opportunities arising right across the service. Whatever your skills and background, you’re sure to find a career with us which is fulfilling, challenging, and rewarding.
In line with the Trust’s Starting Salary Procedure, all applicants will start at the bottom of the band for the position applied for, but can apply for a higher salary if they have previous experience relevant to the position.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Communications Officer will support the Head of Communications and Communications Specialists at a national level, as required, and will assist in the development and implementation of the Trust’s communication strategy in supporting the Trust’s vision. This includes providing communications advice at an organisational and individual level.
This is a home-based with flexibility to be based at any of the three main corporate sites (Cwmbran, Swansea or St Asaph).
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.
Person specification
Qualifications and/or Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Educated to Degree Level in a professionally related subject (e.g. Communications, Public Relations, Journalism) or equivalent level of practical experience within a Communications environment.
* Knowledge of communications, public relations, journalism social marketing or marketing/ communications techniques.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of creating digital content including for social media platforms.
* Experience of using marketing communications techniques to develop campaigns.
Skills and Attributes
Essential criteria
* Demonstrates Trust values and behaviours
Other
Essential criteria
* Ability to travel within Wales.
* Able to participate in on-call rota