Community Outreach Specialist (Temporary)
About The Position
The Department of Health Systems and Population Health has an outstanding opportunity for a Community Outreach Specialist (Temporary) [Program Assistant (NE H NI SEIU 925 Non Supv)] to join their team. Housed in the UW School of Public Health, the Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop) is a dynamic academic and research department with the mission of working with partners in public health and health care to prepare leaders, design solutions, and conduct innovative research that is translated into practice and policy. The Department is steadfast in its efforts to improve and promote the health of all populations, and staff contribute daily and directly to the work of faculty, students, researchers and other staff, providing support and expertise to the Department's common cause. The Health Equity Action Research Team (HEART) in HSPop's Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) has received funding from the National Institutes for Health to augment, adapt, and evaluate a food program called Nuestro Valor from 2023-2028. HEART is partnering with Northwest Communities Education Center/Radio KDNA to conduct this work. The Nuestro Valor program provides tiendas with a stipend to make store improvements to sell more fruits and vegetables, trainings for employees to sell more fruits and vegetables, and a multi-month marketing campaign to encourage customers to buy and eat more fruits and vegetables. This is a bilingual Spanish/English program. The primary role of the Nuestro Valor Community Specialist will be to deliver Nuestro Valor in tiendas across Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties. Community Specialists will work closely with the tienda managers, staff, customers, Radio KDNA, and HEART. No previous nutrition experience is required. This research study plans to hire community specialists in Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties to set up Nuestro Valor in tiendas across the counties. This position would report to the community research manager and the principal investigator, with weekly to biweekly check-ins to brainstorm, troubleshoot, and prioritize study needs. Successful candidates will: Be a leader in the community Share values and experiences of the community being served Show a commitment to serving the community Have strong communication and listening skills, including meeting one-on-one with individuals and practicing public speaking skills Be able to strengthen abilities and learn new skills Be a flexible problem-solver with willingness to adapt to new and different situations
Requirements
- High school graduation or equivalent and 2 years of clerical experience. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
- Must have reliable transportation, a valid WA State Driver's License, and auto insurance
- Bilingual in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish/English
- Ability to travel across Benton, Franklin, and Yakima counties
- General familiarity shopping in tiendas
Nice To Haves
- Previous experience as a community outreach specialist or community health worker preferred
- Previous marketing or business experience a plus!
Responsibilities
- Attend in-depth in-person or virtual training sessions with Nuestro Valor team to prepare for delivering Nuestro Valor
- Attend weekly meetings with the research team and communicate through email, text, calls, and virtual meetings
- Submit program records on a routine basis to debrief with the team
- Foster strong relationships with tienda (small businesses) managers, staff, and customers through engagement, communication, and regular visits across Yakima, Benton and Franklin Counties
- Collaborate with tienda managers to explore and implement ways to increase fruit and vegetable variety and availability through structural and social changes at the tienda using the proposed study stipend
- Connect tiendas with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, or Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program to explore eligibility and support enrollment
- Help to set up marketing materials and lead recipe demonstrations at tiendas
- Other responsibilities as assigned
Benefits
- For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
