Extension Specialist, Integrated Health Disparities (Health Information and Career Development)
University of Illinois

Job Info

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Extension Specialist, Integrated Health Disparities (Health Information and Career Development)

University of Illinois Extension

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.
Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Extension Specialist, Integrated Health Disparities (Health Information and Career Development), serves as a regular, full-time, 12-month academic professional with primary responsibility for planning, developing, and implementing community health education content (in-person and digital), curriculum, instructional materials, and other resources for University of Illinois Extension's integrated health education programs. The Illinois Extension Integrated Health Disparities Team provides leadership and resources in the crusade to address health inequities. Our resources and public engagements focus on the priority issues of health promotion and education, healthcare access, behavioral health, and community well-being.

We strive to make health possible for all individuals, regardless of their age, ethnicity, cultural identity, gender, ability, or socioeconomic background. We aim to address the structural and social determinants of health that contribute to inequities in health outcomes. Through our work, we envision a healthier, more equitable future for communities across Illinois. Our Mission is to decrease disparities in mental and physical health conditions affecting vulnerable, marginalized populations.

There is a need for a specialist with specific skills and knowledge for IHD programs at Illinois Extension in health information sciences and communication who can help implement the strategic plan's goals and advance the statewide agenda. This role requires a strong understanding of health information science, community communication outreach, and project management experience. The Specialist will contribute to the Career Development and training of new IHD team members and statewide outreach. This individual will be responsible for filtering project priorities across growing IHD team members. They will act as a project manager and gatekeeper to prioritize IHD projects with the MarCom team, aggregating the feedback for projects from internal and external stakeholders. This role will significantly benefit future activities and strategic communication program implementation by coordinating all projects and serving as a liaison between Extension teams. The Specialist will collaborate with community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and government agencies to develop and implement strategies to reduce health disparities.

One full time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign Campus
In state hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered.
Additional positions may become available in other locations.

This is a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex Offender list, will be conducted.

Curriculum and Content Development

• Conduct needs assessments, develop, and implement innovative and impactful curricula using advanced theories and technologies to enhance learner engagement, development, and retention.
• Develop, conduct, and oversee IHD program training and adaptation of signature programs: Abriendo Caminos (PATH), Nurturing Foundations, Cultural Humility (HEALER), and HEROES, Rural Health Kiosk Initiative for Enhanced Healthcare Accessibility and support statewide Educators in the implementation of those programs. This area of program development and implementation includes, but is not limited to, marketing, digital content creation, promotions, printing guidelines, website updates, and stakeholders' and partners' questions.
• Identify and expand key sources and existing databases from which participants can be recruited. Notify potential participants of new opportunities.
• Serve as a liaison with the MarCom Language Access Team and the DEIA Assistant Director.
• Lead project planning activities such as developing plans and project financials and identifying resources and assets availability.
• Support implementation and execution of decisions for IHD's programs.
• Track, analyze, and report on project expenditures against the budget.
• Using independent judgment, assess ongoing and completed work to improve future efficiencies, formulating and recommending changes to project workflows and management as needed.
• Independently prepare and communicate project goals to affected stakeholders.
• Serve as a primary resource for staff regarding project goals, methods, and outcomes.
• Compile and summarize project information and trends using reports and presentations.
• Grant application and development.
• Develop new funding and collaboration opportunities through networking with colleagues internal and external to the University.
• Provide monthly reports to the IHD program leadership, Regional Directors, and Extension Leadership.

Project Management and Transfer of Training

• Collaborate with groups within IHD and the University of Illinois System to establish and improve policies, processes, and best practices involving project management principles.
• Collaborate with IHD's team members to understand and implement strategic plans and convey those ideas to other Extension staff and statewide stakeholders. This includes demonstrating evidence of how individual projects align with IHD and Illinois Extension strategy.
• Direct and indirect supervisory responsibility for IHD's Educators and volunteers, as well as community coalitions.
• Guide and assist the professional development of Educators, EPCs, CHWs, and volunteers.
• Lead the assessment of ongoing and completed work across multiple projects to improve future efficiencies, formulating and recommending changes to project workflows and management as needed.

Professional Development and Scholarship

• Recommend, plan, and implement training seminars and workshops for IHD and Extension staff and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competencies for all IHD of current and new employees in their subject matter area and promote adaptation of educational best practices, instructional resources, instructional technologies, and multimedia hardware/software to support teaching and learning.
• Collaborate with Extension Leadership and Specialists, providing instruction in management and supervisory skills in workshops and conducting follow-up sessions (such as reunions, support groups, and individual counseling) to standardize communication and implementation plan of IHD programs, MarCom, DEIA, and the Extension strategic plan goals.
• Use research and evaluation findings to create innovative programs and change existing programs to improve quality.
• Share principles of evidence-based best practice with peers.
• Establish professional relationships and participate in campus-based partnerships that tie academic programs and research to complement Extension programming by partnering with Extension Specialists and/or faculty members on research projects as appropriate within the initiatives.
• Conducts diagnostic interviews and assessments of employee needs and provides related counseling services. Recommends the development and implementation of new training and development of policies and procedures.
• Be an active member of a professional society(s) to stay abreast of changes in your discipline.
• Prepares and secures internal and external resources (grants) to enhance the development of innovative educational programs with the potential for high-impact leads and completes funded projects. Cooperation with campus faculty is strongly encouraged to secure resources.

Other Information

• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines in all aspects of Extension and Outreach work, and assist with data collection for Affirmative Action, Gender, and Targeted reports.
• Assume additional related responsibilities to enhance the mission of the unit.

Additional Physical Demands
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver's license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends. When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather, exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position, the employee may be subjected to various mental and physical demands as well to include, but not limited to, independently traveling to and performing work at different locations, ability to move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty (40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting, pushing and pulling movements. More detailed information regarding the functions of this position (including the physical, mental, and environmental requirements of the position) may be obtained from Human Resources for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) by contacting hr@aces.illinois.edu.

Administrative Relationship
The Extension Specialist is administratively responsible to the IHD Program Leader.

Programmatic Relationship
The Extension Specialist is programmatically responsible to the Program Leader(s) for delivering collaboration and programs with other IHD Specialists, Marcom, and DEIA teams that mesh with identified national and state priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in health education, health communication, public health, information systems, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education. Master's degrees in other fields and work experience demonstrating similar competencies will be considered. Candidates with a Master's degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but the degree must be completed by hire date.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in the area of Health Disparities or a closely related field.
• Experience in information science to extract relevant data from different assets and media to develop new content relevant to current health topics with proficiency in various communication digital platforms and tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities in English and Spanish, as well as tailored communication to diverse communities.
• Experience in marketing and advertising related to health education or public health communication.
• Experience managing multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining high-quality work. Experience working and program planning with people from different cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity.
• Experience of 3-year minimum with community-based education, volunteer recruitment, training, and support, including Extension and "train-the-trainer" models.
• Experience in evaluation and impact reporting of diverse programs.
• Experience displaying strong interpersonal, observational, and problem-solving skills, resilience, and sound judgment.
• Experience in building and maintaining professional relationships and effective partnerships.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned Doctoral Degree in Information Systems or related field from an accredited university.
• Experience working in individual, community, or healthcare settings or related service agencies with diverse adult and/or youth audiences in the programmatic responsibilities assigned.
• Experience in the area of programming and service delivery, working with curriculum development, instructional design teams, and training delivery.
• Experience with communicating effectively using a variety of methods and technology.
• Expertise in quality data collection, evaluation, and reporting.
• A valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge to improve health programs and deliver high-quality and state-of-the-art services. Basic understanding of community, organizational, and system-level factors that affect health outcomes and contribute to health disparities. An understanding of the health equity model, health disparities frameworks, and implementing programs to mitigate health disparities. Strong organizational and project management skills. Knowledge of integrated health disparities impacts and outcomes, adult learning theory. Strong written and verbal English communication, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word). Proficiency in educational and technical writing. Excellent skills in digital and online creative platforms and technology. Skilled at using Adobe Suite and other creative software or tools to create digital assets (Canva). Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment. Self-motivated and able to work semi-independently.

Appointment Information
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The previously determined salary range for this position was $73,000 to $90,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top of the full range for this position. Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on January 3, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Christina Chopra at cchopra@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID: 1027400
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

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