Public Health Community Engagement Specialist (City of Austin Employees Only)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major coursework in Public Health, Sociology, Communications, Political Science, or a closely related field plus three (3) years of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or organizing programs, or;
• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related field plus one (1) year of experience involving the development and coordination of community outreach or organizing programs, or;
• Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas driver’s license

Notes to Applicants
Austin Public Health ( APH ) is accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board ( PHAB ) demonstrating an ongoing commitment to quality and performance improvement in accordance with our Mission: To prevent disease, promote health, and protect the well-being of all.

Overview of this Position
Austin Public Health is hiring a Community Engagement Specialist responsible for creating collaborative partnerships that effectively and meaningfully engage both internal and external stakeholders in advancing Austin Public Health’s Vision, Mission, and Goals.

This position will support communication and engagement with internal and external stakeholders. This position will support strategic department-wide initiatives with communication and coordination, lead APH internal communications, facilitate feedback loops for key department initiatives, and coordinate engagement activities with APH Staff.

Grant Funded Position

• This position is grant-funded, meaning its financial support comes from allocated funds that may be modified, reduced, or canceled at the discretion of the City of Austin or the grant provider.

Driving Requirement:

• This position requires a Valid Texas driver’s license or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

APH Information:

• This position supports Austin Public Health’s Mission and Core Purpose identified in the Austin Public Health Strategic Plan .
• Departmental Competencies related to the position can be found on Austin Public Health’s website .

Be a part of Austin Public Health, https://youtu.be/wJgNIc3ivkA .

Immunization Requirement:

• Due to high-risk areas, Austin Public Health employees must comply with the department’s immunization policy.

Regarding your application:

• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Qualifying education experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities must be clearly stated on your application. Resumes are welcome, but we do not use any information provided on your resume to qualify and refer you to the hiring department.
• Work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number.
• Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees in Good Standing who are candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview.

Additional Information:

• When public health responds to an emergency, you may be assigned activities that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than Austin Public Health.
• This position is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( PSF ) Program. This federal program is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer.

If you are selected to interview:

• Military/Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of the initial interview to receive military/veteran interview preference
• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED , undergraduate, and/or graduate degrees, will be required.

Electronic Notification to Applications:

• Applicants will be notified via e-mail to communicate important information related to the status of their application as part of an ongoing effort to increase operational efficiency, promote a green environment, and minimize delays and costs.
• Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide are current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our e-mails or fail to check your inbox in a timely manner.
• Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Please note that the Department may close the job posting at any time after 7 days

Pay Range
$30.70 - $38.37

Hours
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with some flexibility with eligibility for telecommute hours.
Job Close Date 11/04/2024 Type of Posting Reserved for City Employees Department Austin Public Health Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Grant Funded Category Professional Location Bergstrom Tech Campus - 6800 Burleson Rd Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Demonstrated experience collaborating and effectively communicating information with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience developing and implementing employee engagement programs and activities.
• Experience with facilitation techniques and presenting information to a wide variety of audiences.
• Experience utilizing data and information to inform and improve communication and engagement strategies.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Assists with the planning, development, and implementation of citywide public health initiatives and projects to help reduce health disparities and improve population outcomes. Helps facilitate community involvement in public health education activities, manages events, and builds strong relationships with residents, and community-based organizations, governmental agencies, and philanthropic partners in Austin and Travis County. Develops participatory approaches and deeper understanding of community health problems, needs, and programs. Works collaboratively with other departments, team members, residents, mass media, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to increase awareness of public health programs, resources, services, events, and activities. Research best practices from reputable organizations, seek community inputs, and applies evaluation methods to track and plan to improve program outputs and short-term outcomes. Develops a contact list platform or database of communities, stakeholders, partners, resources, services, events, and activities Delivers presentations, attends meetings, and distributes educational materials to promote health equity and improve population health outcomes. Develop and implement a proactive community engagement strategy to share information and co-create strategies to address pertinent public health problems. Plans forums, walking tours, conferences and other community events and meetings with City staff. Establishes and updates public health goals and objectives, recommends action plan to improve accessibility and quality of services, and reports on progress/findings.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of community organizing and neighborhood development techniques.
• Knowledge of city practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Behavioral Theory
• Skill in planning, organizing, and time management.
• Skill in data analysis, problem solving, and summary of key findings and conclusions.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in interpersonal communication.
• Ability to review and research large volume of materials and summarize in easily comprehensible formats for City staff.
• Ability to develop new initiatives and work with service providers to plan and coordinate services.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees and the public.
• Ability to work with community representatives to identify and address local needs.
• Ability to use conflict resolution and negotiation.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to work well with individuals from a variety of different backgrounds and experience, including community leaders, residents, service providers, local officials, and elected representatives.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Public Health Community Engagement Specialist (PHCES) is Graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major coursework in Public Health, Sociology, Communications, Political Science, or a closely related field plus three (3) years of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or organizing programs Or a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related field plus one (1) year of experience involving the development and coordination of community outreach or organizing programs. Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet the minimum qualifications for this position?

• Yes
• No

* Are you a current employee of the City of Austin?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a Valid Texas driver's license. Do you have a Valid Texas driver's license or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a Valid Texas driver's license by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Briefly describe your experience engaging and communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
(Open Ended Question)
* Briefly describe your experience with developing and implementing Employee Engagement activities and programs.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check.

* Due to working in high risk areas, applicants applying for this position must comply with the departments immunization policy as a condition of employment. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes, I will comply to the vaccinations required by the APH department
• No, I cannot meet this requirement

* In the prior twelve months have you been employed by, owned any interest in, or been an officer or board member, for any business entity, including a non-profit organization, that is transacting any business with the City of Austin, including a recipient of any contracts, grants, or any funds of any kind from the City of Austin?

• Yes
• No

* If you answered yes to the question above, please describe your experience.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

• 

• City of Austin

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