Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator (PC41)

The Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator is a valuable part of the Benton County Health Department’s Healthy Communities Division. This position collaborates with a dynamic team to implement Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change strategies to advance health equity and promote healthy, resilient communities for all in Benton County. This includes fostering the development of authentic and meaningful partnerships with populations experiencing health disparities and community-based organizations (CBOs) serving populations experiencing health disparities. Engaging and mobilizing historically underrepresented community members and CBOs to assess and address health inequities through PSE change strategies. Organizing and/or participating in local, regional, or state coalitions to engage diverse participants as advisors and partners in planning, conducting, or advancing PSE change efforts. Assisting with Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement planning and implementation. Providing advisement and support to Benton County Health Services and cross-sector partners addressing the social determinants of equity and health (e.g., land use, affordable housing, transportation, natural areas and parks, etc.) on meaningful community engagement using effective community outreach and engagement tools that are trauma-informed and linguistically and culturally appropriate.

This position may also be called upon to assist with community outreach and engagement efforts during the COVID-19 response or other emergencies (wildfire, extreme heat, flooding, etc.).

The Healthy Communities Division values a healthy work-life balance and supports a collaborative team atmosphere.

Outreach, Community Mobilization, and Coalition Building

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  Engage and mobilize community members, agencies, leaders and other partners to become champions for assessing and improving health status indicators, health policies, and health equity.
• Implement targeted community education and other evidence-based Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change strategies for evaluating and promoting healthy behaviors and reducing chronic disease, illness, and other health threats.
• Organize and/or participate in local, regional, state coalitions to engage diverse participants as advisors and partners in planning, conducting, or advancing PSE strategies.
• Create print material, online communications, visual displays, and audio-visual pieces to strategically raise awareness and further community organizing and PSE efforts.

• Collaborate and coordinate with private and public partners at local and state level to support health status assessment and improvement and to reduce health disparities.
• Convene coalitions and promote collaborations that address identified, high priority community needs.
• Conduct, monitor, and/or provide technical assistance to evaluation, community planning, and PSE review & development process.
• Develop, implement, and monitor population-based assessment, prevention and PSE action plans/strategies.
• Identify and implement mechanisms to integrate effective, evidence-based interventions into existing and future population health improvement efforts.
• Develop, apply for, monitor and submit reporting for grants, other funding sources, and related contracts.
• Manage data collection, evaluation, and reporting to ensure requirements are met.
• Serve as subject matter expert on current and future programs to internal/external partners and community. Including other counties and agencies.

• Engage community members in assessing and evaluating community and/or population- specific needs and health outcomes.
• Develop and implement data collection and analysis activities, utilizing and/or designing appropriate data collection tools and other survey instruments.
• Research and analyze current public health strategies that support prevention, Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) and population level health interventions.
• Interpret, incorporate, and communicate current data and research to the community and policy makers informed by health literacy principles.

• May oversee, mentor, and guide work of graduate and undergraduate student interns and/or program volunteers to support program activities.
• Create and/or contribute to authoring journal articles, media releases, attends professional conferences as a presenter and/or facilitator, and provides training and technical assistance to other groups and organizations.
• Participate as an active member of inter-disciplinary teams, and other health services & county/state/national initiatives to improve and integrate services.

The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field closely related to this position or equivalent education or life experience.
• At least 1 year of experience in area of assignment in policy development, community building, or health behavior change or closely related field.

• Is Bilingual in Spanish / English and Bi-literate.
• Has lived experience or experience working with historically underrepresented communities (e.g., Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, Latine, English-Language Learners, LGBTQ , people with diverse abilities, etc.)
• Has an understanding of and experience using a trauma-informed approach.
• Has an understanding of and experiencing applying health literacy principles.
• Has a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

This is a FLSA exempt position.
This position is represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; talk; or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop; kneel; or crouch The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The employee works in well-lighted, clean environments. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate. The employee may occasionally work with clients or members of the public who have experienced trauma.

Emergency Preparedness
Benton County is committed to emergency preparedness planning and implementation, and disaster recovery. In the case of a Health Department, County, State, Federal or other emergency or disaster, this position may be called upon to assist in responding. This may require the assignment of additional responsibilities, depending on the circumstances. These responsibilities could include unscheduled temporary changes in work schedule and/or work duties, including evenings and weekends, work relocation, overtime, working with other community agencies such as the local Fire Department, hospitals, the Red Cross and other emergency responders. The ability to be flexible is critical in our overall response to the emergency or disaster. Under Emergency situations this position may be called in to work, supporting Administration in regular duties or other work as assigned. Per County personnel policy, this position may be included in the agency's essential personnel for emergency/disaster response.

Quality Improvement Participation
Employees are expected to participate in improving BHS’ performance, processes, and programs through quality improvement activities, use of the PDSA model and participating on QI teams as assigned.

Benton County is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to work force diversity, fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income.

If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation, please contact the Benton County Human Resources Department by calling (541) 766-6081 or email recruiting@co.benton.or.us