Multilingual Public Health Specialist (Training & Technical Assistance Associate II)

Company Description

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms.  EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.

EDC’s approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in EDC’s commitment to respect the dignity of each individual. EDC has a commitment to promoting equity and access to high quality education and health services that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. EDC expresses its commitment to increasing equity through its strategies, services and products, which contribute to building capacity and transforming lives.

Job Description

The Health Promotion, Practice, and Innovation (HPPI) portfolio includes a range of projects that aim to promote social and emotional wellbeing, promote mental and behavioral health, and to prevent risky behaviors such as substance misuse, violence, and suicide. Our project beneficiaries range from state agencies (e.g., state departments of public health and education), community-based organizations, and school districts. Our funders include federal agencies, state agencies, foundations, community-based organizations, and school districts. Our work includes training and professional development opportunities, technical assistance and consultation, and research and evaluation. 

The Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) is a SAMHSA-funded (contracted to EDC) national training and technical assistance system dedicated to advancing the application of culturally responsive, evidence-informed substance misuse prevention efforts.

The SPTAC project, within the HPPI Portfolio, has an opening for a full-time Public Health Specialist (Training and Technical Assistance Associate II), reporting to our SPTAC Regional Director for HHS Public Health Regions 1 and 2. This position is assigned to work in the EDC main office in Waltham, MA. This position requires travel within Massachusettes and Massachusetts-based telecommuters will be considered. Primarily, we are seeking a strong multi-lingual (Spanish and English) consultation, training, and technical assistance provider to initially support the Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) project; but may also incorporate suicide prevention, violence prevention, and related behavioral health concerns. 

You will:

• Build knowledge and capacity of organizations and staff
• Analyze trends, identify opportunities, and perform or supervise field work
• Facilitate relationship-building, project teamwork and feedback exchanges across/with team members, clients, partners, etc.
• Coordinate contract and quality adherence, proposal development, and project implementation
• Troubleshoot complex problems, propose initiatives, and recommend or negotiate solutions
• Translate communication (English/Spanish) within meetings, emails, and products relevant to service delivery
• Travel within the US (including its territories and jurisdictions), as needed

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree

Skills & Experience: 

• At least 5 years of experience working on behavioral health issues or mental health promotion at the state or local level
• Multilingual in Spanish and English for both verbal and written communication 
• Ability to work with diverse communities and offer culturally and linguistically appropriate services
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Demonstrable organizational and troubleshooting skills
• Strong analytical skills and aptitude for details

Preferred Education, Skills & Experience:

• Master’s degree
• Experience using a public health planning process, such as the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF)
• Substance misuse prevention experience

Additional Information

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Research shows that individuals from historically marginalized groups find themselves meeting many of the criteria of a job posting, yet doubting if they should apply. At EDC, we value and strive for a diverse, equitable, and in