Community Health Specialist

OverviewReports to the Manager, Clinical Operations. The Community Health Specialist (CHS) works collaboratively with Fraser Health staff, community groups, service providers and municipal, regional and provincial governments to deliver healthy living strategies, programs and initiatives in accordance with Fraser Health’s vision, values and the Healthy Families BC Policy Framework. The CHS applies community development and engagement skills to initiate, coordinate, and support community health initiatives that address behavioural risk factors, such as tobacco use, food security, healthy weights, physical activity, and health inequities that contribute to chronic disease. The role may be performed at multiple locations.ResponsibilitiesAdvise, counsel, and support local governments, workplaces, schools, and health care stakeholders on healthy living strategies, initiatives, and programs using community development approaches.Conduct research, analyse data, and prepare reports or presentations on best practice and evidence to inform local government and Fraser Health on community health initiatives.Develop and maintain a strong network of local government, school district, and community leaders and service providers to strengthen relationships and promote cooperative responses to emerging issues.Support and participate in strategic planning, evaluation, needs assessment, project development, implementation, resource procurement, and other requests to strengthen community capacity to address health issues.Ensure consistency with regional, community, and Fraser Health operational plans and evidence‐based practice.Advocate for community needs in local and regional government and within Fraser Health.Represent Fraser Health in community consultation processes and facilitate linkages between stakeholders and appropriate health disciplines and resources.Implement a coordinated, collaborative, systems‑based approach at the local level, including monitoring emerging trends to guide future direction.Conduct literature and research reviews on a wide range of health and social topics to stay current on best and promising practices, and to inform health and community planning.Foster positive culture change around the role of social determinants of health and influence community well‑being through collective impact.Brokers partnerships within and between communities to support mutual learning and resource coordination/sharing that promote individual and community health and well‑being.Identify opportunities to reduce health inequities and initiate, facilitate, and support related program and policy development.Identify and develop grant‑funding proposals to support local healthy living initiatives.Assess local needs through data collection and interpretation, and participate in regional surveillance of local healthy living strategy outcomes.Collaborate with staff, local government, and outside agencies; lead assigned projects; monitor expenses, identify variances, and report to Manager.Act as a resource to students, volunteers, and contractors by responding to questions, providing advice, and guiding best practice, organization, or evaluation of activities and adherence to action plans.Participate in local and provincial initiatives and committees as assigned and perform other related duties.QualificationsMaster’s degree in Public Health, Applied Science, or a related field.Three years of recent related experience in community development inclusive of health promotion, community engagement, population health, community capacity building, program evaluation, and leadership, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.Current valid BC driver’s licence and access to a personal vehicle for work purposes.Skills and AbilitiesWorking knowledge of local government structure, processes, and community information sources.Comprehensive knowledge of sustainable community engagement, collective impact, population health principles and health equity.Knowledge of strategic planning, participatory, community‑based research and evaluation methodologies, policy development, and project management methodology or planning.Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including community members, groups, NGOs, government bodies, health professionals, interdisciplinary teams and health authority leaders.Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, prioritize work and multitask in a changing deadline environment.Demonstrated ability to research and write reports that provide analysis and evidence‑based recommendations.Demonstrated ability to facilitate group processes and implement collaborative projects and initiatives.Demonstrated ability to create and maintain information sharing mechanisms and facilitate knowledge transfer for community and staff education and skills development.Demonstrated ability to build consensus, resolve conflicts, and solve problems in sensitive public situations.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Public speaking and advocacy skills.Community capacity‑building experience.Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment. #J-18808-Ljbffr