Health Promotion Specialist

Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) is dedicated to meeting the diverse, holistic health needs of the people of Scarborough by addressing the physical, mental, social, financial and environmental aspects of their health. Through the promotion of healthy lifestyles and delivery of a comprehensive range of culturally competent health and social services, we cultivate vital and connected communities.

We are currently looking to hire a:
**Health Promotion Specialist (1 position)**
**(Health Promotion)**

**Permanent Full Time (35 hours/week)**

**Reporting To**:Manager, Community Health Teams

**Purpose**:
The Health Promotion Specialist’s main goal is to improve the health of individuals, populations and communities. The job role goes far beyond working with individuals to better their health; the Health
Promotion Specialist is also integral to the strategy work behind health policy development.

The Health Promotion Specialist applies their expertise in determinants of health, health promotion and community development to support programming under the Ontario Public Health Standards (2008) and the relevant legislation such as the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

The Health Promotion Specialist identifies program priorities by reviewing existing epidemiological, behavioural and socio-demographic data, and thorough assessments of community assets and needs.

Essentially, Health Promotion Specialist works with organizations and communities, such as neighbourhoods, schools and hospitals, to make them aware of their roles in promoting health. This might involve developing partnerships with influential people, organisations and communities to further public health. As part of this, Health Promotion Specialist might look at ways of improving health information and the way that it is conveyed, distributed and accessed.

**Key Areas of Responsibility**:

- Promote development, implementation and evaluation of community-based initiatives, based on defined priorities and targeted at specific population groups.
- Collaborate with internal and external partners on the development, implementation and evaluation of integrated health promotion initiatives and make recommendations to the
Manager based on system data, evaluation results and other factors.
- Participate in identifying priorities for targeted health promotion initiatives by reviewing existing epidemiological, behavioural and socio-demographic data related to health promotion and by conducting needs assessments.
- Promotes the implementation of municipal, provincial and federal legislation and strategies.
- Develop and implement health promotion initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic including post pandemic health programs supported by best practices and directions from public authorities.
- Research, monitor and interpret data relevant to health promotion initiatives and remain current with the literature and critically appraise research to assist with priority setting, targeting and determination of community-wide strategies.
- Keep abreast of innovative and effective health promotion strategies reported in the literature and in networking with peers and experts in the field.
- Prepare work plans, verbal and written progress reports as requested by Manager.
- Prepare funding proposals as needed/required.
- Represent the SCHC on relevant committees.
- Develop and evaluate health education resources for broad community distribution and target groups.
- Provide leadership for coalitions with community partners/ organizations.
- Provide leadership for and/or participate in research projects as approved.
- Maintain confidentiality of personal health information and other records, as required
- Background in chronic disease prevention programming and/or mental health promotion is considered an asset
- Delivering health education and Community Health Programs would be an asset
- Perform other duties as assigned which are directly related to the major responsibilities of the job.

**Essential Qualifications (Knowledge, Experience)**:

- Master's Degree in Health Promotion required
- 3 - 5 years experience in health promotion, program development and facilitation, health communication and community mobilization
- Experience in policy development and analysis an asset

**Essential Competencies (Skills and Attributes)**:

- Ability to work cooperatively as part of a multi-disciplinary team and foster relationships with stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to write reports and provide presentations.
- Demonstrated ability in identifying priorities for targeted health promotion initiatives by reviewing epidemiological, behavioural and socio-demographic data.
- Experience in project management would be an asset.
- Experience working with the children and youth population an asset.
- Thorough knowledge of analytical research methodologies and computerized analytical techniques
- Must keep