A conversation about workers, communities and social justice

Community Organizing Specialist at Harlem Health Advocacy Partners

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The Fund for Public Health in New York, Inc. (FPHNY) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to the advancement of the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. To this end, in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), FPHNY implements programs to address pressing public health needs, fosters private sector support to enhance health and health care, and helps educate the public regarding the protection of individual, family and community health.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The Harlem Health Advocacy Partnership (HHAP) is a DOHMH funded community health worker demonstration project aimed at reducing the rates of diabetes, hypertension, and asthma in the East and Central Harlem NYCHA community. HHAP aims to accomplish this by identifying NYCHA residents with any/all of these three chronic illnesses, and helping them better manage their illnesses through:

  • One-on-one health coaching sessions
  • Individual and group-level educational workshops
  • Assistance in acquiring and navigating health insurance
  • Referrals to clinical and social support services in the community
  • Advocacy and community organizing

This position will be housed within the DOHMH’s Center for Health Equity Division. The Center for Health Equity aims to strengthen and amplify the Health Department’s work to eliminate health inequities, which are rooted in historical and contemporary injustices and discrimination, including racism. Our four key approaches to advance health equity are as follows:

1) We support the Health Department’s internal reform in becoming a racial justice organization. By naming and addressing racism, and other social, economic, and environmental forces that create health inequities, we develop, implement and provide guidance on health equity training, practice, and policies across the Health Department.

2) We invest in key neighborhoods (place-based). The health of neighborhoods is a result of historical, political, social, and physical forces. Certain NYC Neighborhoods have been deprived of sufficient resources and attention. In order to “right” this injustice, we have neighborhood offices in areas that bear the highest disease burden; North and Central Brooklyn, the South Bronx, and East and Central Harlem. These are centers of planning and action for community-wide and inter-agency health initiatives.

3) We build partnerships that advance racial and social justice. Public health has historically been a vehicle to advance social justice. Towards this pursuit, we strategically mobilize tools, resources, and networks to enhance community power and target the factors that socially determine health inequities. We coordinate action with residents, community advocates, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses, schools and other city agencies.

4) We make injustice visible through data and storytelling. We develop communication strategies that creatively use data, elevate the stories often untold and unseen, and call attention to racism, and other social injustices, as a root cause of inequities. We track and share results that are meaningful to community partners and that contribute to evidence- informed practices.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Community Organizer will support HHAP leadership development of residents at 5 participating East and Central Harlem NYCHA developments to cultivate neighborhood-based capacity to seek and create healthy conditions and acceptable services through community organizing and health advocacy. In this role, the Community Organizing Specialist will work directly with NYCHA residents and members of the HHAP team; in particular the HHAP Health Outreach Specialists, to strengthen support for development and building capacity of the Community Activation Team to work to improve the health of their community. The Community Activation Team is a collaborative, resident-led, working team that aims to improve the health status of NYCHA residents within the HHAP participating developments through community organizing, health education and community advocacy and engagement. The Community Organizer would act as backbone support for the Community Activation Team and a strong liaison between its members and the HHAP program.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide backbone organizational support for the Community Activation Team (CAT) including meeting and activity coordination, assistance in the development of a resident led advocacy agenda and organizing work plans. Assist in the recruitment and selection of Health Outreach Specialists’ (HOS) in coordination with the Project Director
  • Assist with programmatic and operational functioning of the CAT Preparatory meetings held with HOS, residents, and select Community Health Workers and Health Advocates
  • Provide shared supervision, orientation, guidance, coaching, and ongoing development of HOS staff
  • Provide leadership development training to HOS staff, identified community residents and HHAP frontline staff to strengthen coordination and leadership tasks for the CAT
  • Organize the development of a resident led coordinating committee for CAT Monitor progress and provide ongoing CAT performance reports to HHAP staff
  • Promote and coordinate ongoing staff skills development and training to enhance HHAP staff capacity to support CAT goals and activities
  • Complement grassroots outreach strategies and support coordination of outreach activities for both HHAP and the CAT
  • Develop organizational and governance documents for the CAT with guidance of community residents
  • Coordinate the development and design of a joint (CAT/HHAP) health impact assessment effort to support advocacy strategies

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Minimum 3 years of experience in grassroots community organizing
  • Minimum 2-3 years of direct supervisory experience, preferably in this field
  • Proven community organizing success
  • Flexible work schedule, adaptable and have the capability to work in a fast paced, professional environment. Some evenings and weekend availability may be required.
  • Ability to be work independently, be flexible, and handle changing workload with multiple projects and changing priorities
  • Working Conditions: 70% Community, 30% Office
  • A strong commitment to collective action and community organizing

QUALIFICA TIONS:

  • Bachelor’s in related field. High school diploma or GED with extensive community organizing experience including direct supervision may also be substituted for formal education.
  • Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish or English/French) but not required  East and Central Harlem residents preferred
  • NYCHA residents strongly encouraged to apply
  • Strong relationship builder with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in grassroots organizing
  • Demonstrated membership and active participation in local community organizations
  • Knowledge and familiarity with NYCHA systems is a plus
  • Knowledge and familiarity of East and Central Harlem community members and other marginalized populations preferred
  • Experience working with marginalized populations preferred
  • Demonstrated experience in hiring, orientation, coaching, and team building  Ability to work independently and collectively

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

FPHNY offers a comprehensive benefits package. The salary range for this position is up to $50,000.

TO APPLY:

To apply, send Resume, with Cover Letter including current salary or most recent salary to: publichealthjobs@fphny.org indicating “HHAP Community Organizing Specialist Your Name” in subject line.

The Fund for Public Health in New York, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages a diverse pool of candidates to apply.