HIV NAVIGATOR - 40009552

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION: 

We recognize ending AIDS requires a comprehensive approach that allows all people to access quality lifesaving and life-enhancing prevention, treatment, care and support services for HIV, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis. Integrating these services into sexual, reproductive, and mental health services is critical to achieving universal access to health care. Working together, municipalities can accelerate local actions towards ending AIDS, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis epidemics globally by 2030. Therefore, the primary purpose of this position is to coordinate and implement the Durham Counties Fast Track Cities Ending the AIDS Epidemic to achieve the 95-95-95 targets on the trajectory towards Getting to Zero. 95% of people living with HIV know their HIV status. 95% of people who know their HIV-positive status on treatment. 95% of people on treatment with suppressed viral loads. This position reports to a Public Health Education Program Manager. The position will coordinate the work of student interns, volunteers, and/or contract employees. Some evening and weekend work is required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

This position will focus on several priority areas:

• • Enhancing testing, community and provider education.
  • Community engagement, advocacy, and policy development.
  • Data collection and reporting.
  • Treatment and prevention services (PrEP/PEP).
  • Stigma and discrimination. Reduce barriers to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and ongoing care through education and outreach.
  • HIV prevention & treatment marketing campaign (social media).

Fast Track Cities Initiative: Serve as the lead contact for the Fast Track Cities Durham program, guiding the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to achieve the 95:95:95 HIV targets. Coordinate efforts across prevention, treatment, client services, community engagement, and data-driven initiatives, health serving as the primary point of contact with stakeholders to coordinate implementation, improve program outcomes, and support public health objectives. Address HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, and related health challenges by providing technical assistance and supporting prevention and treatment programs. Collect and analyze departmental- and county-wide data on 95-95-95 targets, HIV care continuum metrics, and prevention and treatment resources to evaluate services and outcomes.

Direct Service Delivery and Client Care Coordination: Provide comprehensive direct services for clients by linking them to medical care and supportive resources, navigating social and health-related determinants, facilitating PrEP referrals, and ensuring consistent follow-up at key intervals after initial engagement. Plan, implement, and lead support groups tailored to client needs, and coordinate rapid HIV testing program. Monitor client retention and re‑engage clients lost to follow‑up; track and document attempts to re‑engage.

Community Engagement and Training: Lead and participate in Fast Track Cities committees (advisory boards, task forces, and focus groups), engaging in both long-term strategic initiatives and short-term, project-based efforts to advance community HIV prevention and care goals. Provide training and education to community members, providers, and partner organizations on comprehensive HIV education. Evaluate programs, processes, and service delivery methods that influence HIV testing, linkage to care, and treatment outcomes.

Social Media & Marketing: Coordinate HIV prevention and treatment outreach informed by the needs of the community. Coordinate social media strategies that promote awareness and expand access to HIV prevention services. Track and analyze social media metrics to optimize content, boost audience engagement, and increase visibility for HIV prevention and health initiatives. Engage contract staff, communications liaisons, and Communications Manager in marketing efforts.

Data Collection and Reporting: Prepare and disseminate periodic reports on HIV prevention and PrEP utilization, supported by data collection and analysis. Use findings to identify gaps, track outreach efforts, evaluate intervention impact, and support informed decision-making and continuous quality improvement. Provide metrics program as requested by the Public Health Director, continuous quality improvement initiatives, and DCo Strategic Planning Office.

Advance DCoDPH. Priorities: Contribute to Departmental, Interagency, and Community activities that support the health and wellbeing of all Durham County residents and the Durham County Department of Public Health Strategic Plan. Support efforts to advance 10 Essential Public Health Services. Document this work in accordance with NC Local Health Department Accreditation Board and the Public Health Accreditation Board. Attend all required Department, Division, and supervision meetings. Respond to emergent public health needs.

Career and Professional Development: Develop professional knowledge and skills by attending two professional development trainings per year. Attend required annual County Government and other departmental trainings.

Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• • Knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of Public Health Education.
  • Knowledge of program planning, implementation, and evaluation principles and methodologies.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences.
  • Strong knowledge of principles for local-level coordination of HIV/AIDS response, including PrEP access, treatment as prevention (TASP), and efforts to address stigma.
  • Strong knowledge of methods and techniques used in preparing and disseminating educational information to the public.
  • Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with individuals, groups, and communities, including departmental personnel, community organizations, and the public.
  • Ability to write and speak effectively and to stimulate interest and cooperation among various groups in carrying out a program in public health education.
  • Ability to contribute to grant writing, development, and reporting.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in health education and one year of experience in public health education or a related field; graduation from a four-year college or university and two years of experience in public health education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIREMENTS:

• Whetstone, Counseling, Testing, and Referral.

EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS REQUIREMENTS:

Primary work hours are between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM.  Employee is subject to be called upon at any time to help the agency respond to a public health emergency, which may include but is not limited to outbreak investigations, staffing mass dispensing or immunization clinics, providing disaster relief, or incidents (man-made or natural and intentional or non-intentional) as they arise, or any public health response as requested by the Health Director. Emergency duty may require the employee to travel during inclement weather.  Refusal to comply with emergency response requirements may result in disciplinary actions, up to and including termination.

To further the mission of the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) to partner with our community to advance health equity, protect the environment, and promote health and wellness for all, DCoDPH is implementing the employee vaccination and tuberculosis screening policies. All DCoDPH employees are considered healthcare personnel (HCP) working in a health care setting with the potential for exposure to patients and/or infectious materials and, therefore, are required to comply and provide documented proof of the following:

• • Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccination/immunity
  • Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chicken Pox) vaccination/immunity
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) baseline screening within the last twelve (12) months prior to employment
  • Hepatitis B vaccination/immunity – only required for DCoDPH employees with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposures.

Identified DCoDPH HCP with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposure have an additional requirement for the Hepatitis B vaccination. Required vaccination, serological testing to determine immunity, and baseline tuberculosis screening are available for all Public Health employees who elect to become DCoDPH patients upon request and at no cost.

Proof of vaccination and tuberculosis screening must be provided to Human Resources within seven (7) business days prior to the date of employment.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. 

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT:

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.