Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Community Outreach Specialist position is funded through a one year, Ryan White part D funding initiative focused on minimizing HIV transmission and increasing engagement in comprehensive care for at-risk women and adolescents of color in the communities surrounding Howard Brown’s 63rd Street clinic. This position will work with clinic staff and community members to expand the outreach and engagement efforts and supplement client education to better meet the needs of the population of focus. Activities will include, the production of educational and promotional materials that cater to the community culture, address the unique needs of the population, and are disseminated through traditional platforms such as advertisements on public transportations and radio as well as less conventional platforms, such as Instagram, schools, and faith based organizations. In addition, the Community Outreach Specialist will work with the Community Outreach & Engagement Manager to oversee quality of outreach services and l link the larger Community Outreach and Engagement team to appropriate opportunities. The Specialist will assist the Manager of Outreach in providing overall direction and vision for community engagement activities for all at risk individuals in the Englewood and surrounding communities and will be available to assist with outreach to throughout the city of Chicago as needed.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Through outreach activities, develop effective engagement interventions for community focus area within the population of focus. May provide
HIV and STI counseling and testing and appropriate referral services. Provide direct outreach and health education services in social settings and other community events. +
Link hard to reach patients/patients out of care to Linkage to Care/EIS services at Howard Brown Health.
Organize and staff volunteers for outreach events.
Host community forums to garner feedback on services and pervasive service gaps.
Establish, build, and maintain community relationships and partnerships to increase community awareness of services offered at HBH 63rd street, address stigma, and that support community initiatives outside of HBH.
Fulfill all grant objectives including: complete ads at 10 CTA locations, produce and distribute 1 printed marketing piece per quarter; coordinate 4 community meetings; coordinate 4 workshops, one each quarter; table 3 events during the project period; host 1 testing event per month (12 overall), providing travel assistance and medication assistance resources for patients linked to care throughout the community.
Complete CDC Passport to Partner Services training during the project period and the Policy Advocate will address internal and external policy related to case finding techniques.
Other duties as assigned
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Maintain current knowledge of HIV/STD transmission and prevention information. In addition, maintain current adherence strategies and policies.
Develop relationships with community based organizations, groups, and faith based organizations and leaders.
Coordinate community engagement events in collaboration with other community organizations with a health and wellness focus.
Participate in the development of culturally sensitive, age appropriate HIV/AIDS, STD, and other health promotion materials and outreach programs including but not limited to social networking strategies, personal cognitive counseling and couples HIV testing and counseling.
Administer rapid HIV antibody test and conduct client centered pre-and post-test counseling including, but not limited to risk reduction and referrals.
Administer testing for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
Provide HIV/STD test results to clients in a sensitive, caring and confidential manner. Provide guidance to clients who test positive to help ensure they receive proper support, counseling and medical care as needed.
Schedule initial appointments on site, and offer provide appointment reminder card.
Accurately complete all Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory and statistical data forms. Complete field record forms for all clients who test positive for HIV/STD’s.
Ensure proper collection, handling, storage, and transport of HIV/STD specimens.
Review and update referral and resource material for community focus area.
Develop and organize promotion of programs for linkage to care for people who test positive at local clinic areas.
Complete debriefings which assess the effectiveness of each outreach activity
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Experience working in outreach, HIV/STD prevention or other community health programs highly regarded.
Experience working with adolescents, cis/trans and gender nonconforming women of color in a community or social service environment.
Experience coordinating community engagement events.
Must possess strong communication and written skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse staff and populations.
Must possess excellent internet and computer skills; specifically, must be familiar with internet chat environments and their potential role in HIV/STD prevention.
Must be able to carry outreach bag and lift supply boxes of 25 pounds.
Must be able to perform outreach in diverse locations, including churches, bars, clubs, social events and other venues.
Must have knowledge of neighborhood and surrounding areas community leaders, residents, organizations, institutions, and social hot spots.
Must have access to personal transportation and a valid driver’s license to commute to various locations.
Must be able to work evenings and weekends.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:
Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees at Howard Brown are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age, FMLA status, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state or local statutes.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for this position, please start the application process using the link below. Applicants should submit both their cover letter and resume together as the same document into our ADP system for consideration.