This is a temporary, part-time position which may be renewed at the discretion of the University.

Hours a Week: 19
Work Location: SCSU College of Health and Human Services

Organization Summary

The Community Alliance for Research and Engagement (CARE) develops and coordinates several community-engaged public health initiatives through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These initiatives include CARE’s Physical Activity, Healthy Food Access, Food As Medicine, and Breastfeeding strategies. These programs focus on building bidirectional partnerships between local organizations and residents with lived experience from lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color. Through these community-centered initiatives, CARE partners with others to decrease chronic disease burden in New Haven.

Position Summary

The REACH Program Assistant will work closely with other CARE staff, student workers, community organizations, residents, and other project team members to support the planning, coordination, and implementation of community-based public health initiatives. This role is ideal for individuals with a foundational academic background (minimum associate’s degree) in public health, social sciences, or a related field who are looking to expand their applied experience in health equity, nutrition and food insecurity work, active transportation/physical activity, and breastfeeding promotion.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the administrative support and delivery of CARE’s various REACH-related strategies
• Assist with gathering appropriate information and synthesizing information for reporting
• Assist with the submission of federal data reporting requirements
• Assist with evaluation activities, including data collection, analysis, and report writing; ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the program's impact
• Assist with the coordination, facilitation, note taking, venue booking, catering, and any additional action items needed for various CARE team, community, and other REACH strategy related meetings
• Assist with community outreach and engagement strategies across CARE-related projects, including the development of culturally appropriate educational materials and communication campaigns; conducting community walks, business outreach, tabling at community events, and going door to door
• Assist with the identification and pursuit of additional funding opportunities for REACH-related strategies
• Attend all CARE team, community, and other REACH strategy related meetings as assigned, documenting your activity and progress within CARE’s various strategies
• Travel around New Haven and surrounding areas is required for meetings, site visits, community engagement and outreach, and program recruitment
• Evening and Weekend hours are required
• Perform other duties and responsibilities related to those enumerated above as assigned by project leads that do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position, including coordinating related activities for overlapping projects

Qualifications

• Minimum of an associate’s degree in public health, community health, human services, or a related field preferred
• Interest in health equity, community-based public health, and applied research
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in community engagement and conducting community outreach in New Haven, CT
• 1-2 years of recent experience or knowledge in coalition-building and/or project coordination
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting; highly motivated and proactive
• Basic proficiency with data entry tools (e.g., Excel, AMP, or similar platforms) preferred
• Availability to work some evenings and weekends is required
• Spanish speaking or multilingual abilities a plus
• Credentials and/or experience substantially comparable to the above may also be
  considered.

Application Instructions

Please email a letter of interest that includes your relevant experience and updated CV to Ayeisha C. Cole at colea18@southernct.edu. A review of the applications will commence immediately, and the position will remain open until it is filled.