Environmental Health Engagement Coordinator, Health Project Coordinator

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The Environmental Health Engagement Coordinator (EHEC) will implement the strategic activities of the Institute for Human Health and the Environment (IHHE) Engagement Pillar to promote science-informed environmental health solutions in the Rochester region and beyond. The EHEC will facilitate communication, interaction, involvement, and exchange with diverse professional and community partners to conduct research, partner on community projects, provide services, translate environmental health research and inform policy change, implementation strategy, and evaluation.

The position has both strategic and operational responsibilities within the IHHE reporting to the Engagement Pillar Leader. In addition, the position provides operational support for the Engagement Pillar.

The EHEC will collaborate with IHHE leaders to set priorities for the Engagement Core, coordinate with the Research and Education Cores, and evaluate and adapt the Core’s activities to strategically support the IHHE mission.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Partnership development and support :

Creates and supports linkages for University of Rochester investigators, staff and students to support establishment of research and problem-solving partnerships. Supports collaboration around key stakeholder and researcher environmental health interests. Represents the IHHE by serving on and facilitating community coalitions and boards. Strategically coordinates IHHE representation on external (local, state, and national) environmental health groups and participation in local and national events. Develops strategic plans for various program areas, identifies and matches potential sponsors and projects, identifies community needs and/or investigator requirements and provides support to both in developing partnerships. Works to strengthen multidirectional engagement between research and external stakeholders to develop environmental health solutions.

Internal engagement :

Develops and strengthens engagement with and by faculty, staff, and students across the University with external partners. Provides consultations to researchers who want to engage with the community, convenes small groups of community members with mutual interests/expertise to help advise researchers; solicits letters of support from community-based organizations for research proposals; advises researchers on effective principles of community engagement. Coordinates with other offices/programs across the University (including the Center for Community Engagement [River Campus], the Center for Community Health and Prevention, the Wilmot Cancer Center Community Outreach and Education Programs, and the URMC Office of Health Equity Research, among others) to maximize the impact of the University’s engagement on environmental health problem solving. Under the direction of the Pillar Leader, occasionally supervises students (undergraduate, graduate and medical) who are conducting specific projects.

Analysis, translation, policy, and solution development :

Conducts analysis, summarizes research, and develops communication tools in support of policy, systems, and environmental change efforts. Supports translation of IHHE and existing environmental health research to inform problem solving. Provides leadership and knowledge to inform policy changes and implementation strategies at the community, institutional, local, state, and national level. Develop communication tools integral to these efforts. Pro-actively link IHHE research to external advocacy efforts and in support of decision-maker, practice change, and communications needs. This may involve researching best practices, conducting analyses, meeting with stakeholders and policy leaders, and communicating results.

Engagement Core Planning and Evaluation :

Together with the Engagement Pillar Leader, facilitates strategic planning and evaluates the Pillar’s activities to assure close integration with all facets of the IHHE, responsiveness to stakeholder priorities, and maximize impact on science-informed environmental health solutions.

Event organization and management :

Organizes and oversees meetings and events (approximately 10 per year). These may include town halls, researcher presentations, science cafés, policy briefings, informal educator trainings, or other outreach efforts. Identifies and recruits appropriate facilitators/teachers, promotes the program to relevant stakeholders, organizes logistics and facilitates groups as needed.

Grant and program development support :

Researches and reports on program development opportunities. Provides support for research and program coordinators and projects, as needed. Conducts comprehensive research for grant prospects; develops funding concepts/proposals and data analytic techniques; coordinates community-engaged grant applications with groups of investigators, stakeholders and staff. Oversees development and submission of proposals. Develops and oversees project and operating budgets. Serves as liaison with departmental administration, regarding accounting, budget and personnel matters.

External Communication :

Creates and maintains social media accounts to support engagement in collaboration with IHHE core staff. Develops written, web-based, social media, video, and/or infographic communication materials in support of IHHE engagement efforts. Connect faculty, staff, and students to presentation opportunities at major events/community meetings that focus on environmental health concerns and that serve to educate non-research audiences (e.g., professional, government or public audiences at community conversations, community roundtables, legislator meetings, media opportunities).

Internal communication :

Coordinates and supports the Community Advisory Board (CAB); establishes agenda and direction in collaboration with IHHE Engagement Pillar Leader. Works with IHHE leadership to promote multidirectional engagement between CAB and University of Rochester to provide input into strategic direction of the IHHE. Actively participates in leadership of IHHE Engagement Pillar. Attends, contributes to, and facilitates relevant internal meetings in support of functioning and integration of IHHE.

Other projects and job duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree with major course work in environmental health, public health, or policy required.

• 2-3 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.

• 4-5 years of related experience working with community stakeholders (any combination of community group, government, public health professional, private sector, and educators) preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills, including written communication. Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including diverse community groups and professionals required.

• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research techniques, literature reviews, data management, and strong analytical ability required.

• Familiarity with environmental public health issues, policy, and practice with ability to quickly learn topically-relevant information and communicate research findings required.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, internet search techniques, and ability to learn new software quickly required.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required.

• Candidates would ideally have experience working with diverse stakeholders in the Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region preferred.

• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends when needed to attend events required.

• Ability to work well with others as part of a team as well as independently required.

• Independent transportation (car) required.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.

How To Apply

All applicants must apply online.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

Pay Range

Pay Range: $ 41,746 - $ 56,347 Annually

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Location: School of Medicine & Dentistry
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Opening: Full Time 40 hours Grade 053
Schedule: Standard hours are 8:30 AM-5 PM; occasional nights and weekends for outreach work and events