Community Engagement Coordinator - Region 6 (West MI)

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Community Engagement Coordinator - Region 6 (West MI)

$25.10 - $39.33 / Posted Thru: 3-31-25

Location: Remote/Virtual -Must Live and Work in West Michigan

Occasional in-person at Lansing, MI office required

Purpose: This position provides community engagement coordination to the Community Engagement Unit within the Community Education and Outreach Section of the Division of Toxicology and Response within the Environmental Health Bureau at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The Community Engagement Coordinator will play a critical role in building and maintaining connections with community-based organizations and collaborating with local partners to propagate the communication of environmental health protective information and resources via these information conduits throughout Michigan with a focus on west Michigan; Michigan Emergency Preparedness Region 6.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Interact with diverse community organizations and engage with impactful community members to address environmental health concerns.
• Identify existing opportunities, plan and conduct virtual and on-the-ground outreach to engage community organizations proactively, create awareness about major project milestones, respond to issues associated with projects, regulatory activity and public participation opportunities.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with community organizations and impactful community members.
• Build capacity for community members and stakeholders to share knowledge and provide feedback.
• Develop and maintain community engagement plans for assigned project or programs.
• Assist in the development of contact databases, assist health education team in their development of project-specific outreach tools, including websites, emails/e-newsletters, and social media.
• Support efforts to recruit community members for participation in exposure assessments, health studies, focus groups, and other participatory projects.
• Participate in program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Implement new and existing health education, community engagement, and outreach programs.
• Assist with program-related projects and activities as needed.
• Complete any training required by MDHHS or MPHI or as identified to continue professional development.
• Provide additional support to the Environmental Health Bureau as requested.
• Represent the best interests of MDHHS and MPHI at all times.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education: Possession of any bachelor's degree required.

Alternate Education: Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school and the equivalent of at least two years of full-time active-duty experience at or above the E-6 level in the uniformed services may be substituted for the education requirement.

Experience: No experience required. Experience conducting outreach and community engagement community work is preferred.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Strong ability to engage stakeholders and build networks that are goal-focused and action-oriented.
• Strong cultural competency and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively in an environment with diverse cultures, multiple perspectives, and competing needs.
• Experience in working with community members, stakeholders, coalitions, and networks.
• Knowledge of health disparities, environmental justice, social justice.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to a range of audiences.
• Strong facilitation skills and the ability to deliver presentations suitable for diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Maintain confidentiality as required by state and federal laws.
• Proficient in various computer applications such as Outlook, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Basic knowledge or willingness to learn basics of toxicology, risk communications, behavior change, environmental health, and/or chemical exposure.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to develop community engagement plans and strategy.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Physical requirements consistent with a standard office environment. Transport supplies to sites around the state on an occasional basis. Items and supplies can be bulky and weigh up to 40lbs. May go door-to-door to educate residents and may be exposed to cold or wet weather conditions. Requires valid vehicle operator's license and travel within the State, including evenings, weekends, or occasional overnights. Less occasionally, travel may be required outside the State.

Travel: This position will require regular travel throughout the state of Michigan. Sometimes including nights and weekends.

Responsibility for the Work of Others: No assigned responsiblity.

Impact on Projects, Services, and Operations: This position has an impact on the organizational ability of dynamic community engagement responses to sites of environmental contamination.

Required Communication

"For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Non-Exempt" from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act."

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MPHI is an EEO employer that participates with e-verify.