Agricultural Partner Engagement & Training Specialist

• This is a time limited position for 36 months*

The Office of Rural Health (ORH), a component of the Office of the Secretary, has two primary functions. First, ORH engages local and state leaders in designing and implementing strategies for improving the health of rural and underserved communities. In this role, ORH assists underserved communities and populations with developing innovative strategies for equal access, high quality and cost-effective health care for all by working with communities to meet the health needs of all underserved residents, fostering state and local partnerships with ownership vested in communities, providing in-depth technical assistance on an on-going basis, assuring clear and measurable accountability, and seeking to eliminate health disparities. Second, in cooperation with DHHS divisions and community partners, ORH assists the Secretary in designing and testing innovative and community-based approaches for meeting DHHS developmental priorities.

The primary purpose of this position is to support the goals of the North Carolina Farmworker Health Program and the Office of Rural Health with a focus on partnerships within the agricultural community and training. Under the guidance of the Farmworker Health Program Manager, this position will have the following job responsibilities:

• Facilitate opportunities to increase collaboration among organizations working to improve the health and safety of agricultural workers in NC.

• Provide technical assistance and support to county-level local teams and regional networks focused on the health of agricultural workers.

• Participate in committees, task forces and workgroups with state and county partners as needed.

• Provide technical assistance and support to outreach workers at funded sites.

• Actively support the development and implementation of trainings.

• Ensure compliance with federal and state requirements.

It is expected that this position will work within a team to ensure that additional Program activities are accomplished including, but not limited to, grant writing and reporting, providing staff support to the Program's governing board, representing the Program and Office on task forces and committees, and engaging in Office Service Area Team meetings to provide regional support and ensure coordination of services.

Development of Collaborative Partnerships:

• Respond to requests for information from service delivery sites, boards, students, community groups, and other audiences about NCFHP and the farmworker population in NC.

• Conduct training and presentations to raise awareness about the agricultural community and NCFHP's programs and funded-sites in order to increase the reach and engage community stakeholders and partners.

• Lead team efforts to strategically develop projects and initiatives to drive agricultural partner engagement.

• Engage in the work of task forces, committees, and work groups as assigned.

• Support partners, recruiters, interns, fellows, and others to advance the work of the ORH and its partners.

• Coordinate and support special community-based projects related to farm safety, health and education.

Technical Assistance and Contract Development and Monitoring:

• Provide technical assistance to farmworker health service delivery sites and contractors and other healthcare agencies to ensure patient centered, high quality, culturally responsive care for farmworkers and their family members.

• Provide technical assistance and support to county-level local teams and regional networks focused on the health of agricultural workers.

• Serve as a member of the program's training committee, take part in planning and implementing training for contractors and partners.

• Support the implementation and evaluation of innovative projects that increase access to and integration of services.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Assist with evaluation of projects and services, including patient engagement activities.

• Assist with completion of reports required by Federal/State or grant guidelines, as requested by the Program Manager.

Quality Improvement Process:

• Participate in HRSA's Operational Site Visits.

• Participate in the Program's strategic planning process.

• Engage in the ORH Service Area Teams to improve coordination and support to rural communities.

• Provide high quality customer service to internal and external partners and adhere to all governing policies.

• Foster development of quality improvement process with internal and external partners as appropriate.

To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form.  Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.  Qualified applicants must document on the application that they possess all of the following:

• Experience working with non-profits, public health programs, and/or federally qualified health centers.

• Ability to work with communities to develop and implement strategies to respond to the health needs of farmworkers and the agricultural community.

• Experience establishing and maintaining effective and respectful working relationships with organizations, agencies, communities, and individuals.

• Ability to design and implement training.

• Skilled in prompt, professional, and clear communication with a wide variety of partners using a variety of communication methods.

•  Understanding of and commitment to cultural humility, health equity and racial equity.

• Experience working with farmworkers or other historically marginalized populations.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in Spanish and English.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Lived experience as part of a farmworker or agricultural family or community.

• Experience in working with the agricultural community and/or farmworker-serving organizations.

• Experience working on a team with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Experience with community and/or patient engagement activities that inform program development.

• Experience with project management and leadership.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See OSHR for detail.

Bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, political science, business administration, public administration or related field, from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience related to the specific program assignment;

or

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

About the Office of Rural Health:

The North Carolina Office of Rural Health (ORH) became the first State Office of Rural Health in the nation in 1973.  The ORH was created to focus on the needs of rural and underserved communities and continues to empower communities and populations by developing strategies to improve quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all. While ORH does not provide direct care, its programs support numerous health care safety net organizations throughout the state. Continued support and recurring funding for ORH strengthened North Carolina's health care safety net infrastructure to ensure that all of the state's medically vulnerable residents (Uninsured, Underinsured, Medicare and Medicaid) have access to affordable and appropriate high quality primary care. It is a conservative estimate that the State's primary care safety net system serves 1.1 million vulnerable residents.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information.  Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.  Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit.   Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.

• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

NOTE:  Applicants will be communicated with via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application.  If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 919-855-4930.

To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click "Application Status".

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442.   If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.