PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION SPECIALIST - 40010675

Join Durham County Government
Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

**THIS POSITION IS PROVISIONALLY (GRANT) FUNDED UNTIL JUNE 2028.**

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Partnership for a Healthy Durham is a coalition of local organizations and community members with the goal of collaboratively improving the physical, mental, and social health and wellbeing of Durham’s residents. The Partnership has five committees that focus on health priorities. In addition, the Partnership has two taskforces, all led by a Steering Committee. This effort is funded by The Duke Endowment’s Healthy People Healthy Carolinas initiative to support the work of the Partnership’s Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Food Access (PANFA) committee and Duke Health. 

This grant-funded position collaboratively leads the Partnership PANFA committee by supporting efforts to decrease the prevalence of chronic conditions in Durham County residents. The workgroups of this committee focus on physical activity, school nutrition, and food access. The Specialist will support the committee in centering community voice, shifting power, and implementing interventions to improve the health of all Durham County residents. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Networking- Recruit and maintain relationships with a diverse coalition membership to include local partners and those with lived experiences
• Program planning, implementation, and project management- Collaborate with committee members to develop and implement strategies that will lead to long-term involvement of community institutions, organizations and individuals in health promotion, assessment, and evaluation activities. Program activities and interventions will be determined by outcomes of community conversations, listening sessions, and focus groups.
• Reporting- Conduct ongoing program and activity evaluations. Complete quarterly reports for Healthy People Healthy Carolinas grant. Develop reports and present on committee’s progress as needed.
• Coordination and facilitation- Support the coordination and facilitation of coalition meetings and communicate effectively with members to promote collaboration, negotiation, and problem solving. Ensure that the committee’s initiatives continue moving forward.
• Evaluation- Develop and implement data collection methods, tools, and evaluation measures for coalition activities and associated projects in conjunction with coalition members. Monitor the committee’s progress with Community Health Improvement Plans.
• Collaboration- Work with other Partnership committees and task forces to align efforts and capitalize on the intersection of health priorities. Co-create and implement strategies along with community partners from diverse sectors. 
• Professional development- participate in professional development opportunities that improve job performance and knowledge related to position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Experience implementing evidence-based interventions.
• Considerable knowledge of the programs within the assigned area of responsibility; of the principles and practice of public health and public health education; and of community structure and leadership patterns.
• Knowledge of principles of community engagement.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, community organizations, and the public.
• General knowledge of community health and human service systems; of modem educational theory and techniques of public health education; and of display techniques.
• Excellent oral and written skills.
• Balance multiple projects at once.
• Ability to stimulate interest and cooperation among various groups in carrying out coalition programs and activities.
• Working knowledge of policy, systems, and environmental change and policy agenda setting.
• Knowledge of Durham community.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in health education and one (1) years experience in public health education or a related field; graduation from a four-year college or university and two (2) years experience in public health education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bilingual (English and Spanish)
• Master’s degree in public health or in public health with a major in public health education

To further the mission of the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) to partner with our community to improve health for all, safeguard the environment, and support overall well-being. 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.