Outreach Specialist - Vaccine Uptake

Company Overview:

Health disparities among New Yorkers are large, persistent and increasing. Public Health Solutions (PHS) exists to change that trajectory and support New Yorkers and their families in achieving optimal health and building pathways to reach their potential. As the largest public health nonprofit serving New York City, we improve health outcomes and help communities thrive by providing services directly to low-income families, supporting community-based organizations through our long-standing public-private partnerships, and bridging the gap between healthcare and community services. We focus on a wide range of public health issues including food and nutrition, health insurance, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, tobacco control, and HIV/AIDS. Learn more about our work at healthsolutions.org.

Position Description and Summary of the Position:

As part of continued efforts to ensure that New York City’s response to citywide recovery from COVID-19 is achieved through an equitable and place-based approach, Public Health Solutions has implemented a community health worker model to ensure older adults and people with disabilities get the latest COVID and influenza vaccines through tailored outreach activities and with host vaccine clinics.

PHS seeks a Vaccine Outreach Specialist (VOC) to work closely with community members, PHS staff and partner community-based and clinical organizations throughout this project. The  VOC reports to the Project Manager (PM), with a focus on engaging older community members and those with disabilities , providing COVID-19 education and assistance securing transportation to and scheduling of COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination in targeted communities of Queens , Brooklyn , and Manhattan. The VOC will also a assist in coordinating outreach and engagement events and participating in community meetings and stakeholder briefings in assigned targeted communities of NYC. The Vaccine Outreach Specialist position is full time, 35 hours per week.

This project is grant funded with an anticipated end date of 04/30/2024.  

Specifically, the Vaccine Outreach Specialist will:  

• Assist with development of, and participation in trainings — in-person and virtual — to improve understanding of and knowledge around current information and messaging on COVID-19 and Influenza vaccinations.
• Identify and disseminate up-to-date information on public health guidance on COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines during outreach activities.
• Coordinate and lead regular community outreach and educational sessions focused on ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and flu and increase knowledge of available community services. 
• Assist the public in securing transportation and scheduling vaccine appointments as needed.
• Conduct screenings and referrals to community resources for community members in diverse settings using motivational interviewing techniques. 
• Must be willing to be outside for up to 3 hours or more at a time, walking and engaging the public, even in warm and cold temperatures.
• Provide up-to-date information on public health guidance on COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines, serve as a point person to guide community members to COVID-19 and Influenza resources. 
• Provide input on the project’s marketing and promotional materials as needed. 
• Would be open to working some evening hours and weekends when necessary.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.  

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Associate degree or High School diploma with 1-2 years of experience in public health or community development, strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in public health, community development, and addressing health issues in underserved neighborhoods. 
• Knowledge of social services navigation and community-based organization landscape in NYC preferred. 
• Comfort working with Microsoft Office, including Excel, for data management and learning new online systems, such as Unite Us and Cumulus
• Ability to thrive in a work environment that is respectful, goal-oriented, and focused; yet is fun and dedicated to achieving a work-life balance. 
• Ability to balance and manage a hybrid work environment that includes a combination of in-office, remote work, and field work.  
• Excellent team player with the ability to be flexible, work collaboratively both internally and externally, and able to complete tasks independently.    
• High level of professionalism such as timeliness, excellent communication with team members and supervisors.
• Dedicated to helping improve the lives of older adults and those with disabilities and achieving health equity. 
• Demonstrated experience in identifying and solving problems in a constructive way.
• Strong communication and cultural competency skills.  
• Bilingual candidate, preferred. 
• Residents of Queens, Brooklyn and/or Manhattan with in-depth understanding of their diverse communities are preferred.

PHS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, and veterans.