Public Health Specialist, Brain Health

Description

Position Summary:

The Public Health Specialist provides technical assistance, expertise, consultation, and education on public health issues, with a primary focus on dementia, brain health, healthy aging, caregiver support, and dementia risk reduction. The position supports health intervention strategies, program implementation, and research and evaluation activities aimed at identifying, defining, and preventing disability, morbidity, and mortality associated with disease, injury, dementia, and related health issues. Working as a team member under the direction of the Dementia Program Director, the Public Health Specialist assists Tribal Nations, Tribal clinics, Tribal programs, staff, caregivers, and community members on important public health and dementia-related matters. The position develops and delivers culturally responsive dementia and brain health education for Tribal community members and professional staff, supports dementia-capable systems, and connects partners with appropriate resources. Attendance as scheduled is an essential function of this position. Frequent travel is required to meet the needs of the position. This position can be in our Green Bay Wisconsin office, Madison, Wisconsin office or Grand Rapids, Michigan office. This is not a remote position. There are two positions available.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provide public health functions and dementia-related assistance to Tribes, Tribal Health Departments, Tribal clinics, community programs, caregivers, and staff in the Indian Health Service Bemidji service area.

· Engage in public health and dementia-capability practice with Tribal communities, organizations, clinics, programs, and systems.

· Develop, coordinate, and deliver culturally responsive education for community members, caregivers, Tribal clinic staff, community health staff, senior programs, and other partners on dementia, brain health, healthy aging, dementia risk reduction, warning signs, early detection, caregiver support, communication, safety, and available resources.

· Assess education and training needs and adapt presentation content, handouts, resource guides, and other materials for clinical, professional, caregiver, and community audiences with different levels of health literacy.

· Facilitate staff trainings, community presentations, workshops, listening sessions, and learning activities in person and virtually; evaluate participation, knowledge gains, satisfaction, and opportunities for improvement.

· Provide technical assistance to Tribal clinics and programs seeking to strengthen dementia-capable services, referral processes, caregiver education, resource navigation, and coordination between clinical and community supports.

· Research and identify evidence-based or promising practices for dementia, brain health, caregiving, healthy aging, chronic disease prevention, and other public health priorities.

· Serve as a resource for technical information in public health and dementia-related scholarship and practice, including culturally responsive approaches and innovations in the field.

· Translate complex dementia, brain health, and public health information into accurate, practical, and understandable messages for community members and staff while recognizing when questions require referral to a licensed clinician or subject-matter expert.

· Implement projects or programs under the direction of the Dementia Program Director, including coordination of staff, contracts, partner meetings, educational activities, and community outreach.

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Tribal clinics, Tribal programs, caregivers, community members, partners, advisory groups, academic professionals, and committees to facilitate project and education goals.

· Comply with established project timelines, grant requirements, deliverables, and performance standards; identify potential problems and collaborate with staff to prevent or resolve implementation barriers.

· Track day-to-day activities to ensure project tasks, trainings, outreach activities, and educational deliverables are completed on time and in a manner consistent with program goals and funding requirements.

· Work closely with the Dementia Program Director to implement program scope and objectives, monitor progress, and assist with program and education evaluation.

· Provide logistical support to staff, presenters, partners, contractors, subcontractors, and participating Tribal organizations and communities for meetings, trainings, and outreach activities.

· Synthesize information and apply public health principles to complex health and dementia-related issues to identify potential approaches or solutions; assist with data collection, management, interpretation, and reporting.

· Communicate program requirements and commitments verbally and in writing to the Dementia Program Director and internal and external partners.

· Make oral presentations to diverse scientific and non-scientific audiences and respond to requests for dementia, brain health, caregiver, and public health information through completion.

· Work with Tribal, state, federal, Indian Health Service, and community partners to coordinate dementia and public health education, staff development, outreach, and related initiatives within Tribal communities.

· Coordinate with GLITEC staff and Epidemiologists serving Tribes in the Bemidji area to develop regional data products, educational materials, semi-annual and annual reports, trainings, and advisory activities.

· Participate in projects assigned by the Dementia Program Director and Epidemiology Center Director; follow direction from senior staff and integrate community, clinical, and program perspectives.

· Participate in writing grants, continuation materials, progress reports, and other funding proposals related to dementia, brain health, caregiving, healthy aging, and public health.

· Engage in networking activities to remain aware of dementia services, caregiver supports, clinical resources, educational opportunities, and referral options available to Tribal communities.

· Assure that services and educational activities are delivered in a culturally responsive manner that respects Tribal sovereignty, community priorities, local protocols, and the diversity of Tribal Nations.

· Participate on committees and workgroups within and outside the organization as necessary and appropriate to the position and supervisor.

· Attend required training sessions, meetings, conferences, and seminars to remain current on dementia, brain health, caregiving, education methods, and public health practice.

· Perform other duties as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.

Working Relationships and Scope:

Reports directly to the Dementia Program Director and works independently and as part of the Brain Health Team, drawing on acquired experience. The supervisor assigns projects, establishes priorities and deadlines, and provides assistance and guidance. Planning, coordination, educational content, and execution of work are reviewed for accuracy, accepted public health methods, cultural responsiveness, consistency, timeliness, and overall presentation and outcome. Daily contact with assigned Brain Health Program team members and regular contact with GLITEC Epidemiology Center staff. Frequent contact with Tribal clinics, Tribal Health Departments, senior and community programs, caregivers, community members, and other GLITC employees to gather and share relevant information and coordinate education. Regular contact with health-care staff, community health representatives, community health nurses, academic professionals, presenters, and partner organizations. Occasional contact with federal and state agencies for the purpose of coordinating initiatives and remaining current on dementia and public health issues. The Public Health Specialist provides education and public health support but does not independently diagnose or treat patients unless separately licensed, credentialed, and authorized to do so.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, Public Health Specialist:

An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or training may be substituted for experience. Required: A bachelor’s degree in a discipline relevant to the scope of this position. Two years of public health work experience, project implementation, monitoring, community education, health education, training, outreach, or related experience. Knowledge of public health principles and competencies, including basic knowledge of biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, communication and informatics, diversity and culture, biology, program implementation and monitoring, evaluation, and systems thinking. Ability to learn and communicate information about dementia, brain health, healthy aging, caregiver needs, dementia risk reduction, early detection, and community resources. Ability to develop and deliver accurate, engaging, culturally responsive education for community members and staff, and to adjust teaching approaches for different audiences and health literacy levels. 

Preferred: Master’s degree in public health or a related field. Certified in Public Health or Certified Health Education Specialist. Experience working in dementia, aging, caregiving, chronic disease prevention, community health education, clinical education, or staff development. Experience working with American Indian and Alaska Native people, Tribal Health Departments, Tribal governments, Tribal organizations, Tribal clinics, Tribal Epidemiology Centers, and/or not-for-profit agencies. Ability to work independently and as a program team member. Individuals must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; professional demeanor and appearance; problem-solving skills; effective time management; self-motivation; ability to work effectively under pressure; ability to build positive relationships with internal and external customers; ability to interact professionally with a wide variety of people; and confidence speaking in front of groups. An individual must be able to explain complex dementia and public health concepts in clear language, facilitate education and discussion with both staff and community audiences, address a wide range of intellectual and practical problems, apply statistical calculations to findings, and compose complex business correspondence, reports, health profiles, presentations, curricula, and educational materials. Requires a high level of confidentiality. Must possess a valid driver's license and/or reliable transportation with adequate insurance and the ability to travel frequently.

This is a full-time exempt position based on skills and experience, with a pay range of $50,000 - $55,000 annually, depending on years of experience, relevant experience, education and populations you have worked with. This position can be in our Green Bay Wisconsin office, Madison, Wisconsin office or Grand Rapids, Michigan office. This position is not a remote position. The position includes the following benefits: paid time off (PTO) in the form of annual and personal leave; paid holidays; insurance benefits including health, dental, life insurance, accidental death, and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term (STD) and long-term (LTD) disability insurance; health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), and 401(k) retirement plan.  Drug and background checks are required before hire.

To Apply: See the employment page of our website at www.glitc.org for more information. 

***Great Lakes Inter Tribal Council does not respond to phone calls nor email inquiries regarding the status of your application. Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Inc. (GLITC) is an equal opportunity employer that applies Native American Preference as defined in Section 703(i) of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(i).? Consistent with the referenced Native American Preference, it is the policy of GLITC to provide employment, compensation, and other benefits related to employment based on qualifications of the job applied for, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, veteran status or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law. As an equal opportunity employer, GLITC intends to comply fully with all federal and state laws and the information requested on this application will not be used for any purpose prohibited by law. Disabled applicants may request a needed accommodation from the representative of the Human Resource Department, PO Box 9 Lac Du Flambeau, WI 54538, or phone (715) 588-1069 or (800) 472-7207.