Programming and Partnerships Coordinator

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Service Coordinator I

Opening Date: October 17, 2024

Closing Date: October 30, 2024

Job Class Code: CA26
Grade:  26 (Confidential)
Salary: $62,129.60 - $87,817.60 per year

Position Number: 02000-3952    

Location: Augusta

This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This opportunity allows partial telework with management approval.

The Office of Population Health Equity (OPHE) was re-established in 2021 and promotes health equity by illuminating and addressing root causes of health disparities and implementing community-led solutions to those disparities. OPHE will develop data-driven interventions to advance health equity for a number of populations, including but not limited to racial and ethnic populations, rural populations, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities, aging adults, and women. The office will work in partnership with stakeholders and leaders across Maine CDC and DHHS to ensure the Department’s efforts are informed by and reflect the needs of the communities it seeks to serve, and to coordinate a variety of health equity projects and initiatives.

In 2021, the U.S. CDC launched the National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities to address COVID-19-related health disparities and advance health equity by expanding state, local, and US territorial and freely associated state health department capacity and services. The initiative, also referred to as the OT21-2103 Grant Award, represents the U.S. CDC’s largest investment to date to support communities affected by COVID-19-related health disparities. This grant is funded through the US Department of Health and Human Services under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021.

In this position, you will be part of a team working to advance health equity across Maine. You will plan, implement, and evaluate activities pertaining to health equity and ensure integration of OPHE with community partners and initiatives external to the Department as well as internal partners and initiatives within DHHS. You will develop and manage long-term efforts related to health disparities data collection and analysis and health equity education. You will represent OPHE and Maine CDC relative to program goals at national, state, and local events and meetings. This position will report to the OPHE Associate Director and may supervise one other position.

Core Responsibilities:

•    Be responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining OPHE programming and initiatives beyond its stewardship of U.S. CDC Health Disparities funds as an OT21-2103 Grant Award recipient. This includes determining the sustainability of pilot initiatives established with the OT21-2103 Grant award and envisioning new initiatives.
•    Collaborate with programs within Maine CDC and DHHS as well as community organization partners to design and distribute culturally and linguistically appropriate related health education materials and resources to ensure accessibility of information disseminated by Maine CDC and U.S. CDC.
•    Work collaboratively within Maine CDC and Maine DHHS to establish, promote, and operationalize data equity initiatives to advance Maine CDC priorities to engage in equitable data collection, analysis, and dissemination practices. 
•    Serve as a liaison between entities within Maine CDC and DHHS and community organizations statewide that serve priority populations to promote regular convenings, information and resource sharing, and communication and collaboration.
•    Work independently from and collaboratively with the Associate Director of OPHE to identify and implement evidence-based interventions to support the promotion of health equity for all Maine people. 
•    Provide direction and feedback to local coalitions and partnerships on program quality and direction.

Minimum Qualifications:

(Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience).
A Master’s Degree in Public Health or Health Sciences, Health Education, Public Administration, or Education -AND- two (2) years experience in program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation -OR- an equivalent six (6) year combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred candidates will also have:
•    Relevant professional