Public Health Specialist (Health in All Policies)

Primary Objective

• Models and contributes to a positive work environment, culture of communication, engagement and safety
• Communicates effectively and respectfully with employees and the general public, including but not limited to those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Works cooperatively as a member of a team; develops and maintains effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions
• Embraces the City’s shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City’s vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly

Examples of Duties

• Works closely with various departmental staff (transportation, community development, planning, parks and recreation, public safety and public health) and community partners in the three communities of Bloomington, Edina and Richfield to develop a vision and action plan for incorporating a Health in All Policies (HiAP) framework into decision-making processes within the three cities
• Supports a shared planning and decision-making process with community members and state, local, and non-government partners to implement the action plan and accomplish HiAP goals
• Maintains effective public relations and communications with community agencies, organizations and health care facilities
• Understands the function of the City and how local policy change happens; shepherds policies through the local law making process.
• Analyzes laws, ordinances and other local policies that influence the health of the community
• Develops written reports, memos and policy assessment for various audiences in support of the Division’s mission and community health needs
• Prepares and deliver presentations on community health to various audiences in plain language
• Facilitates various community workgroups with internal and external partners to explore, analyze and make recommendations for policy change; Assists with the adoption and implementation of these policy changes as approved
• Contributes to and conduct stakeholder assessments to inform policy work, including community assessments, focus groups and key informant interviews
• Supports the Division in maintaining standards for PHAB accreditation process and assisting the agency through the reaccreditation operation
• Serves as a resource to the Division and community partners on Health in All Policies
• Performs public health emergency response functions as trained and assigned within the department’s emergency response plan
• Performs other related duties as apparent or assigned

• Knowledge of evidence-based models for population health improvement
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Ability to interpret, present and explain data from qualitative and quantitative research in plain language to key partners and the general public Ability to work independently in an effective and efficient matter to meet assigned duties and department deliverables
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other City department personnel, and the general public
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with the public, employees, and others in an effective, tactful, and courteous manner
• Ability to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions
• Ability to review work for accuracy
• Ability to work flexible hours; occasionally working evening and weekend hours to attend meetings/events to meet division needs.

Minimum/Desirable Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in public or community health, public policy, law, or related field
• Experience in participatory decision-making and/or consensus-building techniques
• Experience developing trusting partnerships across sectors and within organizations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Valid driver's license, car insurance and dependable car OR access to reliable transportation required to perform job duties.

• Advanced degree or certification related to nursing, public health, public or community health, public policy, law, or related field.
• Experience working in a policymaking setting, such as within a local or state government, or for a non-governmental organization that does policymaking/advocacy.
• Experience advocating for underrepresented groups of individuals within an organizational settings.
• One year of recent, within the last five years, work experience in public health/public health policy.
• Experience in grant writing
• Experience in request for proposal (RFP) writing
• Experience analyzing data to inform and support decision-making
• Experience in developing and implementing evaluation plans
• Experience in successfully using project management tool to bring projects to completion
• Ability to speak a second language, in addition to English that has a recognized presence in the community. (Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, Cambodian, etc.)

Supplemental Information

Benefits for regular, full-time employees of the City of Bloomington (with the exception of 24 hour firefighters and 24 hour fire fighter/paramedics) include the following:

• 10 days paid vacation per year
• 13 days paid personal leave per year
• 13 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Employee health and dental insurance
• Paid employee life insurance
• Paid employee disability insurance
• Employer/employee paid pension
• Deferred compensation
• Tuition assistance program
• Health club membership reimbursement
• Flexible spending account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Other optional benefits
• Great suburban location, on bus line
• Free employee parking

• (Union contracts may vary from the above list.)