Community Engagement Specialist

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter via https://careers.umich.edu/ . Applicants should include a brief cover letter as the first page of their resume that outlines relevant experience and interest in environmental health and justice.

Summary

We are seeking a creative individual passionate about environmental justice. You will join a dedicated interdisciplinary team actively engaged in examination of opportunities and actions related to state, county, and city declarations of Racism as a Public Health Issue, with particular attention to environmental racism and accountability to disproportionately impacted communities.

This position with provide support across two projects, both working on environmental health issues in southeast Michigan: Community Action to Promote Healthy Environments (CAPHE) and the Community Engagement Core for the M-LEEaD Core Center.

Community Action to Promote Healthy Environments (CAPHE) is a partnership among community based organizations, community residents, health service providers and public health researchers. Our goal is to develop and implement components of a scientifically-based, community-led public health action plan to reduce air pollution and associated adverse health effects in Detroit and surrounding communities. CAPHE uses a community-based participatory research approach in which partners are involved in all phases of the work. For information, review the CAPHE website: https://caphedetroit.sph.umich.edu/about-us/

Michigan Lifestate Environmental Exposures and Disease Center (M-LEEaD) is a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Core Center. M-LEEaD improves our understanding of the contribution of environmental exposure. The role of this position is to support the Community Engagement Core, which serves as a resource to increase awareness and understanding of environmental health research, and to further scientific collaboration between the University of Michigan environmental health researchers and the communities involved. For more information, review the M-LEEaD - CEC website: https://mleead.umich.edu/Community_Engagement_Core.php

About the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education (HBHE):

The position will be based in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education (HBHE) at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health. Driven by a shared passion for affecting lasting change, the faculty, students and staff of HBHE work in pursuit of an equitable, healthy future for all. Turning theory and research into actionable practice, we develop interventions and innovations that promote health, prevent disease and empower people to manage chronic illness and disabilities, and facilitate collective action for social change. Together, our academic community transforms the theoretical into actionable, the science into the social, applying our knowledge to eliminate health disparities and impact lives for the better.

What You'll Do

Job activities include but are not limited to:

• Work collaboratively with other members of the CAPHE partnership to promote environmental health and environmental justice, with a specific focus on air quality.
• Attend community meetings, share information about CAPHE resources, and, when relevant, facilitate educational and hands-on community workshops on air quality and health.
• Seek opportunities to advance CAPHE's initiatives through new partnerships and engagement strategies where appropriate, and in consultation with other members of the team.
• Identify and develop strong relationships with key individuals and organizations, including community advocates and leaders, especially from frontline communities, and public officials, to positively influence program outcomes.
• Plan and develop activities to engage communities and provide education to support clean air.
• Provide information, research, and other support for CAPHE partners, the public, and others about CAPHE initiatives.
• Help promote campaigns and activities through social media and assist in writing press releases.

Skills You Have

Research Area Specialist Intermediate

• Master's degree and 4 to 5 years related experience
• One year or more of experience in community organizing, campaign organizing, or related experience with a preference for organizing in Detroit or other communities facing economic, environmental or other public health challenges.
• Excellent "people skills" and a track record of using those skills effectively to promote health and/or social justice.
• Strong social networks in, and knowledge of Detroit and/or SE Michigan; work in Metro Detroit is a plus.
• Ability to work respectfully across race, class, gender, religious and other differences.
• Experience with project management.
• Excellent written and oral communication; i.e., writing letters, giving presentations, leading community meetings, creating fliers, drafting agendas, writing and giving testimony, calling elected/appointed officials.
• Working knowledge of basic computer skills: Google Mail and Good Drive; Microsoft Office Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); conducting internet research, i.e., creating documents and presentations, maintaining records and lists of contacts, etc.
• Willingness and ability to travel in Detroit and Southeast Michigan as needed (travel is reimbursed with prior approval from supervisor).
• Ability to think strategically and quickly, synthesize information about new topics and new tools.
• Adept at listening, and finding creative ways to engage with diverse communities.
• Comfort and willingness to work both proactively and independently, as well as in teams.
• Ability to work some weekend and evening hours as necessary.
• Scientific/environmental health literacy and the ability to understand and communicate scientific information pertinent to environmental health.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience creating translational research products, e.g. translating basic research to audiences including policy makers, public health and environmental decisions makers and residents of disproportionately impacted communities.
• Experience reviewing literature and translate research findings relevant to environmental health and environmental justice for development of dissemination materials such as co-authored publications and reports and presentations at community meetings and professional conferences.
• Experience creating data visualizations such as charts, graphs, and maps that can be easily understood by all audiences.

Work Schedule

This is a term-limited position: 1-year from hire date (Grant funding is year to year).

Hours: 40/week

Monday - Friday

Work Locations

This will be a hybrid position with some remote work and some travel between Ann Arbor and Detroit as needed. This position will have a dedicated office space in Detroit as well as office space in Ann Arbor.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. The salary offered will commensurate with level of position. There are two levels possible - Intermediate and Associate

Research Area Specialist Intermediate (102907): $54,808 - $67,704

• Master's degree and 4 to 5 years related experience

Research Area Specialist Associate (102905): $44,413 - $54,863

• Bachelors degree and 1 to 3 years related experience

Additional Information

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic staff member with a commitment to contributing to a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all members of our community. Those who are familiar with the Detroit metropolitan area, women and representatives from groups currently underrepresented in public health are encouraged to apply.

The School of Public Health is committed to creating an environment that is welcoming to all. We strive to value the unique contributions of individuals, and support a culture of inclusivity among our employees, learners, and larger community. This includes supporting the development of a diverse workforce across identities such as race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship, marital status, religion, language, disability, and Veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and an affirmative action employer.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.