Healthy Communities Coordinator

Office of Food Access & Healthy Communities-Shape Up Somerville focuses on community level approaches to improving population health and reducing health inequities for all constituents. The Coordinator will have a deep appreciation and knowledge for how drivers of health are a complex system of interrelated factors that influence population health, with this office’ focus on food systems, safe mobility & active play. 

The Healthy Communities Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, design, implementation, project management and innovation of collaborative efforts to build a healthy and equitable community. The coordinator must have excellent communication skills, digital abilities, organizational skills and take pride in their work and in Somerville. They will operate with a “health in all policies” lens and keep themselves and the office accountable to reaching goals, which include a racial equity and social justice frame.

Essential Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Administration, Convening & Collaboration

• Plan, coordinate and implement special projects and events that support the mission and goals.
• Plan and facilitate meetings to bring partners together and enhance collaborations.
• Represent at internal Department meetings, and external community meetings, and relevant public events – may require some evening or weekend coverage.
• Engage community members and leadership in developing policies, strategies, goals, and plans of action to address priorities that arise through assessment processes and develop new programs, services and grants in response to identified needs & priorities.
• Provide backbone support for cross-sector collaborations that address root causes of health inequities and participate in identified action steps.
• Support OFACH Director on all aspects of assigned projects.
• Manage public-facing communications including websites, social media, flyers, and other promotional materials.
• Develop presentations and speak at partner meetings, university courses, and conferences

Assessment, Planning & Implementation

• Gather, analyze and synthesize data, both primary and secondary, to help develop reports, identify gaps, influence policies, and inform future funding. 
• Interface with constituents/clients to support programs that fulfil our shared mission.
• Assist in seeking, managing and reporting out on funding opportunities to support the work of the City, office or community partners.
• Support the development and implementation of projects and initiatives such as safe routes to school, digital health campaigns, urban agriculture promotion, etc.
• Works in close cooperation with the other divisions (e.g., HHS social workers, Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE), SomerVIVA Office for Immigrant Affairs (SOIA), Mobility, Public Space and Urban Forestry (PSUF) Office of Racial & Social Justice (ORS).

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and three years related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Advanced Degree (Masters) is highly preferred. Relevant fields of study include but are not limited to: community health, public health, agriculture, food and environment, social science, community organizing, health policy, urban and environmental planning. 

Special Requirements:

Employee may be required to drive van when providing back-up staffing for the Somerville Mobile Farmers Market.

This is a safety-sensitive position. A CORI background check along with the successful results of a driving history check, drug screening, and physical will be required as a part of the pre-hire process.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Knowledge and experience in health and health promotion, community engagement, coalition building; health equity principles and systems thinking . Interest in community health and data-informed/evidence-based interventions. Knowledge and experience using multiple modes of transit to get around Somerville preferred.

Abilities: Ability to gather and synthesize information for practical application to the organization; ability to work autonomously, as part of a department, and as part of a cross-sector team; ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; Ability to communicate effectively with multiple sectors including towns, local government, human service providers, schools, health care organizations, funders, faith organizations and the general public. Proficient in using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Power Point. Confident in navigating new online platforms and software programs.

Skill: Must have strong interpersonal skills. Strong organizational and time management skills; excellent data processing skill in the use of personal computers and office software including word processing, data base, internet and spreadsheet applications. Bilingual ability in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole and/or Nepali is preferred by not required.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments. Drive van when providing back-up staffing for the Somerville Mobile Farmers Market.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills: Minimal physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks. When covering the mobile market, intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as office equipment or photocopy paper (up to 30lbs.). When off site, work can require additional physical effort.

Motor Skills: Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills: Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Send your resume and cover letter by Wednesday, December 22, 2021 to

City Hall HR Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x 2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.