Community Engagement Specialist

Updated: 5 months ago
Location: Chicago, ILLINOIS
Job Type: PartTime
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Department
 

BSD MED - Infectious Diseases - Chicago Center HIV Elimination - Research


About the Department
 

The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, embedded within the University of Chicago's main campus in Hyde Park, is located in Chicago's HIV epicenter. Of the 20 neighborhoods in the city with high annual HIV diagnosis rates (greater than 40 per 100,000), 13 of them are no more than eight miles from the University of Chicago. This area includes 4 of the 6 communities with the highest annual diagnosis rates in the city (Washington Park, West Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing and South Shore). Our position within the hardest hit neighborhoods in Chicago provides unique opportunities to advance HIV/STI and COVID-19 testing and prevention interventions locally, in order to improve the health and lives of surrounding community members. CCHE seeks to eliminate new HIV transmission events over the next 30 years (from 2011 to 2041) by using network science to target and integrate prevention as well as create structural and community-specific interventions. CCHE also seeks to enhance access to HIV/STI/COVID-19 and wraparound services in order to improve overall health.


Job Summary
 

The Community Engagement Specialist will be responsible for conducting group educational and motivational sessions focused COVID-19, assessing community member needs, and connecting community members to local resources. The Candidate will also support recruitment and community engagement efforts at the Chicago Center for HIV Elimination. CCHE works with a variety of populations to include justice-involved individuals, youth and young adults, and Black sexual and gender minority populations residing in Chicago’s South side. This candidate will actively pursue required knowledge and skills for professional development in regards to the aforementioned population and topic area. They will stay informed about the resources available and testing/outreach opportunities on the south side of Chicago that serve our population and inform the team on opportunities for collaboration.
The Community Engagement Specialist will be a part of the Research team and will work with a variety of clients.
This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities

  • Co-facilitates training of study community member.
  • Conveys the purposes and services of a program to community members and the impact of that program or service
  • Helps community members develop introductory plans and goals; refer to supportive services as needed.
  • Assists community members in understanding introductory care/prevention plans and instructions.
  • Documents activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place.
  • Works collaboratively and effectively within a team.
  • Establishes positive, supportive relationships with community members. 
  • Coaches community members in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care.
  • Helps community members in utilizing resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
  • Motivates community members to be active, engaged community member in their health.
  • Effectively works with people (staff, community members, providers, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socio-economic barriers between community members and institutions.
  • Continuously expands knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs provided; human relations and the procedures used in dealing with the public as part of a service or program; volunteer resources and the practices associated with using volunteers, operations, functions, policies and procedures associated with the department or program area, procedures and resources available to handle new, unusual or different situations.
  • Identifies and applies appropriate role definition and skilled boundaries.
  • Collects and enters data. Assists in analysis of data and with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
  • Complies with institution, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
  • Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

  • Conducting health-related educational sessions for diverse populations.
  • Working with LGBT, Black, and/or Latinx populations.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Applications, including but not limited to Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Preferred Competencies

  • Demonstrated effective leadership and teaching skills.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Strong knowledge of Chicago social service resources.
  • Strong knowledge of program subject matter.
  • Previous facilitation skills.
  • Build trust with clients.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Manage stressful situations.
  • Maintain confidentiality.
  • Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
  • Provide COVID-19 and HIV/STI education and prevention in non-traditional settings (community venues).
  • Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical skills.
  • Work on multiple projects.

Working Conditions

  • Travel to various community venues across the metropolitan area.
  • Perform phlebotomy or a willingness to be trained in phlebotomy.
  • Work non-traditional hours.


Application Documents

  • Resume/CV (required)
  • Cover Letter (required)


When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family
 

Research


Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor


FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt


Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly


Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

15


Benefits Eligible
 

No


Drug Test Required
 

No


Health Screen Required
 

No


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No


Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.



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