Community Engagement Specialist

Equal Opportunity Employer

The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to promote community health by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, comprehensive health and human services. We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status.  This commitment applies to all aspects of the Health Federation of Philadelphia’s employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion

JOB SUMMARY

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) is working to increase harm reduction resources and training in neighborhoods that have been most affected by substance use and overdose.  The person filling this position will work to build relationships with a variety of neighborhood organizations, including but not limited to religious organizations, neighborhood associations, local business, and other community groups.  The Community Engagement Specialist will interact directly with individuals who may have a stigmatizing view of substance use, as well as those in active addiction or individuals who use substances recreationally.  This person must be able to train a diverse audience on overdose awareness and reversal. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Responsibilities/Duties

Under the supervision of the Community Engagement Program Manager, the Community Engagement Specialist will perform the following essential job functions:

  • Engage in outreach efforts to community members and organizations, such as community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses, and social services organizations, with a focus in Black and Brown neighborhoods.
  • Maintain relationships and lines of communication with community members and organizations.
  • Serve as a liaison to community members and organizations and assist in responding to requests for harm reduction training, resources, and community outreach
  • Coordinate with appropriate partners to allocate space for projects.
  • Facilitate overdose awareness and reversal training and provide comprehensive train-the-trainer sessions, in coordinator with the Harm Reduction team as needed.
  • Build trust and connections within priority communities to increase access to harm reduction education and resources.
  • Assist in outreach efforts to people who use drugs, providing them with Narcan, Fentanyl Testing Strips and other harm reduction supplies and educational materials.
  • Focus community engagement within the priority zip codes: 19121, 19132, 19141, 19144, 19140, 19143, 19139, and 19133.
  • Maintain accurate records of distributed supplies, interactions and referrals in compliance with program reporting requirements.
  • Collect, enter and maintain community engagement data, and prepare monthly reports for Community Engagement Manager.
  • Collaboration with Street Outreach Team with outreach and other special events.
  • Support public health emergency response, including outreach and harm reduction activities during cold- and heat-related weather emergencies.
  • A valid driver’s license is required.  This position requires regular operations of a departmental vehicle to perform job related duties.
  • Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:  Completion of high school or equivalent degree and 3+ years community organizing and/or harm reduction work.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

  • Knowledge of philosophy and practice of harm reduction.
  • Knowledge of the impact of drug use and overdose on communities of color in Philadelphia.
  • Sensitivity to and experience working with ethnically, culturally, socioeconomically, and sexually diverse individuals, communities, agencies, and organizations. 
  • Excellent oral communication skills.
  • Ability to analyze and think critically to apply reasonable judgment and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.   Experience working with health and prevention services agencies.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, and to work independently in a high-pressure environment.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.
  • Knowledge of neighborhoods in Southwest, West, Northwest or North Philadelphia or adjacent neighborhoods.

Work Environment:  75% Field Work, 25% Office Work.  This position also requires extensive time in the field interacting with and linking clients to care.

Position Type and Work Schedule:  Full time position, typical hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  This position also requires flexibility to work on weekends and schedules will be adjusted accordingly to flex hours. 

Travel: Local travel to multiple sites several times per week, as needed.

Physical Demands: Ability to transport materials; walking for an extensive distance.

Salary: $55,000

Benefits:  Our employees are our most valuable resource, so we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, which can include:

  • Medical with vision benefits
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Life, AD&D and long-term care insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan, with a company contribution
  • Paid time off including vacation, sick, personal and holiday
  • Employee Assistance Program

Eligibility and participation are handled consistently with the plan documents and HFP policy. 

DISCLAIMER

The Health Federation reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Company desires. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee assigned to this position. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, responsibilities and/or skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied, or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at will.” The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.

The Health Federation of Philadelphia (HFP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or any classification protected by federal, state or local law.