Community Health Educator For Black/African Descent Populations

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

The Fred Hutch Cancer Center (Fred Hutch)/University of Washington (UW)/Seattle Children's Cancer Consortium (Consortium) is a research collaboration comprising Fred Hutch and its strong collaborators, the UW and Seattle Children's. The Consortium is recognized as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Cancer Center through its dedication to developing research programs, faculty, and facilities that will lead to better approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (OCOE) is an integral component of the Consortium. It is housed at Fred Hutch in Seattle with offices in Sunnyside and Spokane. The mission of the OCOE is better outcomes for everybody through promoting health equity throughout the cancer care and research continuum. Using a qualitative and quantitative data-driven approach, the OCOE centers authentic engagement, community-based participatory research (CBPR), and education driven by community need. The OCOE works in partnership with local Community Action Boards and an Internal Advisory Council of leaders and faculty from the Consortium.

The OCOE is seeking a Community Health Educator for Black/African-Descent Communities who shares our mission to achieve cancer health equity by using bidirectional, anti-racist, community-engaged approaches in outreach, programming, and research. The position is based at the Fred Hutch office in Seattle, and works collaboratively with a team and partners across Washington State.

The Community Health Educator (CHE) works in community-based partnerships to implement evidence-informed practices to address the cancer burden in our WA State catchment area. The CHE is a critical link between Consortium staff and Black/African-Descent Communities in WA State, which may include underrepresented populations including racially and ethnically diverse communities. The CHE must have a thorough understanding of and experience working with Black/African-Descent Communities and other diverse populations experiencing health inequities. The CHE conducts community outreach and engagement, program implementation and health education using appropriate strategies and methods to improve cancer and related disease outcomes for Washingtonians.

Responsibilities

The CHE works under general supervision of the CHE Manager to address the cancer burden in our catchment area of WA State. This includes work to address cancer health disparities that disproportionately affect Black and African-descent communities, which may also include rural populations, those who identify as LGBTQIA+, or those who are low income, lack health insurance, are medically underserved, or new to health education topics - regardless of ethnic and racial background.

Community Engagement (40%)

• Develop, facilitate, and steward academic and community partnerships as a representative of the OCOE and Cancer Consortium.

• Recruit underrepresented populations in Consortium research and conduct qualitative interviews and reports.

• Coordinate, plan, and participate in events, including community workshops, OCOE signature events, and health fairs.

• Lead and participate in Community Action Coalition groups.

Health Education (30%)

• Create content for culturally appropriate brochures, curricula, and educational materials.

• Develop and continually maintain a culturally relevant health education resource bank for community and Consortium partners.

• Conduct community-based education and outreach on cancer and related health topics.

• Present and disseminate cancer-related messages, materials, and research opportunities in oral and written formats, including podcasts, social media, and newsletters.

Program Coordination and Evaluation (30%)

• Coordinate projects with academic, research, community, local government, and regional partners to implement cancer control and education strategies.

• Conduct regular needs assessments, interviews, program evaluations, strategic plans, qualitative and quantitative evaluations, and reports to recommend improvements and demonstrate best practices for OCOE programming.

• Facilitate and participate in regular staff meetings and trainings.

• Oversee the work of volunteers and interns as needed.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree with major study in public health, community health education, or closely allied field, OR Bachelor's degree with at least two years of professional experience in public health, disease prevention, and/or health promotion.

• Car and valid Washington State Driver's License.

• Knowledge and demonstrated experience working with Black/African-descent communities. Knowledgeable about community histories, values, and culture.

• Demonstrated experience with community engagement.

• Experience with relationship and coalition building.

• Understanding and proven ability to work with communities experiencing health inequity. Must be culturally aware, demonstrate cultural humility, and sensitive to diverse populations in the Consortium's catchment area.

• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in English in both verbal and written form.

• Ability to communicate information in a culturally appropriate, respectful manner to a variety of audiences.

• Experience conducting trainings and/or making group presentations.

• Proven ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.

• Experience with principles and methods of health education/promotion, program coordination and evaluation.

• Experience in planning, developing and implementing public health interventions (i.e. public awareness and social marketing campaigns).

• Demonstrated experience working in collaborative public health initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.

• Demonstrated high level of communication and project delivery to internal and external partners.

• Fluency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's or higher-level degree: Relevant degree with major study in public health, community health education, health administration, or closely allied field.

• CHES Certification or other relevant certification.

• Experience in the effective use of social media and podcasts as a health messaging and interactive tool, including Adobe Creative Suite.

• Experience working in an academic or scientific research environment.

• Experience working in public health, community health, health equity and/or health disparities research.

• Skills in database creation and management.

• Bilingual in English & other language of importance to residents in Washington.

Hours: Full-time. Schedule is typically Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM, but flexibility for evening and/or weekend events required. Hybrid work options available.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

The hourly pay range for this position is from $25.71 to $36.60 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks), and partially paid sabbatical leave (up to 6 months).

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.