Public Health Department Communication and Administrative Specialist

Reports To: Public Health Officer FLSA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt Revision Date: March 3,2025

Prepared By: Human Resources Salary Grade: $ 21.00/hr.

Board Approval: March 19, 2025

Position Summary:

The Public Health Department (PHD) Communication and Administrative Specialist will handle administrative and communication duties for the PHO. Working closely with the Public Health Officer (PHO), the specialist will play a key role in executing PHD activities. Administrative duties may include answering phones, filing meeting minutes, scheduling major meetings for the Public Health Officer, data entry, and scheduling with other TRIHCl staff and/or Board of Directors. The Specialist will be the main point of contact for the PHD and must be able to work independently. In addition, the Specialist will assist the Public Health Officer with health communication efforts and projects. They will assist with drafting material, ensuring it is appropriate to the community, printing, collating, and distributing materials to the community to improve health awareness and education. In certain situations, they may be required to conduct contact tracing duties for community members. They play a role with drafting and/or designing health communication material. Finally, they will coordinate with other government departments and the Tule River Indian Health Clinic, Inc. to ensure consistent, accurate, and collaborative messages on important health issues in the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Finalize and process documents for approval and signature from the TRIHCI Health Board of Directors and PHO.

2. Manage inventory office, clinical, and educational supplies for the PHO.

3. Support human resource and payroll processes, such as payroll preparation or certification, leave tracking, appointment papers, and other requirements.

4. Maintain basic knowledge of public health and healthy living to communicate with patients and the wider

community about best practices to stay healthy.

5. Speak professionally and appropriately with patients about private medical statuses.

6. Conduct duties related to contact tracing and disease intervention that are consistent with training (to be provided) and licensure/certification.

7. Independently resolve and respond to inquiries to the PHD over the phone or in email, including be able to explain policies and procedures, whenever feasible.

I 0. Perform data entry between electronic systems and record keeping as needed.

11. Support other activities which help the health of the local community, such as moving and setting up basic equipment.

12. Distribute and post health education material under the direction of the PHO to improve health awareness in the community.

13. Coordinate health education messages with staff from the health center and other government departments to ensure a consistent, accurate, and collaborative health education campaigns.

14. Work with the PHO on drafting appropriate messages and information to the Tule River Community on health and emergency management topics.

15. Perform other administrative and office duties as needed and assigned.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed here are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Must have good communication skills, be able to effectively communicate with diverse populations, and be willing to convey responsibilities to the public.

2. Knowledge of health terminology, public health activities, and ways to stay healthy, and medical procedures sufficient to perform routine patient care.

3. Willingness to learn new concepts and receive training to advance knowledge in specific health topics, such as diabetes prevention, marketing, maternal and child health, and chronic disease management.

4. Demonstrate the ability to work independently in carrying out assignments while remaining reliable and dependable.

5. Demonstrate professional competency in office and healthcare abilities, including the maintenance of client confidentiality.

6. Ability to demonstrate basic levels of computer literacy, with a functional understanding of Microsoft Windows Operating Systems in an office setting and demonstrate a working knowledge of routine office hardware and equipment (e.g. printers, copiers, fax machines, etc.).

7. Must demonstrate the ability to maintain accurate records and prepare clear and accurate reports for informational, auditing, and operational use, including capacities for attention to detail and for reviewing and verifying accuracy of data.

8. Possess the ability to organize and follow one's own work schedule (i.e. setting priorities, being available during work hours, and meeting critical deadlines).

9. Possess the ability to perform well in group problem-solving situations and use reason even when dealing with highly emotional topics.

10. Possess the ability to become knowledgeable of health needs and services provided to the Indian community both on and near the reservation.

11. Demonstrate the competency and integrity to maintain the confidentiality of organizational, employee, and client records.

Education and/or Experience

1. A high school diploma or general education degree (GED).

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

1. Possess a current California driver's license, and be insurable with the Tule River Indian Health Center, Inc. insurance agency.

Preferred Qualifications and Contingencies

1. Experience in administrative and/or communication role.

Hiring preference is given to qualified American Indians in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (title 25, U.S. code§ 472 & 473). Applicants claiming Native American/ Indian Preference must submit Indian verification, certified by Tribe of affiliation or other acceptable documentation of Native American/ Indian heritage.

TRIHCI maintains a drug- and alcohol-free workplace, and all offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a criminal background check, a post-offer drug test and physical, and TB test, and verification of each candidate's right to work in the United States.

Physical Work Environment: The description provided here is representative of those conditions in which the Public Health Department (PHD) Communication & Administrative Specialist will be required to perform the essential functions of this position. As stated earlier, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this position, the Specialist is situated in a standard office environment, where there is little or no exposure to variations in the weather or other similar elements. They may move throughout office buildings to meet with supervisors and co-workers. Consequently, the specialist must:

1. Possess the mobility to work in a standard office setting (i.e. walk, stand, or sit for extended periods of time).

2. Possess the ability to use standard office equipment to write, type, copy, fax, or perform other duties.

3. Possess the strength to lift and carry supplies weighing up to 15 lbs. repeatedly and up to 45 lbs. intermittently.

4. Possess the visual acuity to read printed materials and a computer screen; and

5. Demonstrate hearing and speech capabilities that allow him/her to communicate in person and over the telephone as required,

6. Possess the ability to push, bend and/or lift to help patients to/from vehicle, wheelchairs, stretchers, etc., and moving equipment and medical supplies.

Tule River Indian Health Center, Inc. (TRIHCI) is pleased to offer the following benefits to its full time employees:

100% employer paid Medical Dental and Vision Plans (TRIHCI pays 85% of dependent premiums)

Rich PPO plans with the option of buy-up plans

Voluntary Life/AD&D and Short-Term Disability Insurance

403(B) Plan Contribution

16 paid Holidays, 17 after 1 year of employment

Loan Repayment Program available through IHS

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21