Company Overview

Public Health Solutions (PHS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit community-based organization (CBO) that has existed for 70 years to improve health equity and address health-related social needs (HRSN) for historically underserved marginalized communities. As the largest public health nonprofit serving New York City, we improve health outcomes and help communities thrive by providing services directly to vulnerable families, supporting community-based organizations through our long-standing public-private partnerships, and bridging the gap between healthcare and community services. We focus on a wide range of public health issues including food and nutrition, health insurance, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, tobacco control, and HIV/AIDS. Learn more about our work at healthsolutions.org.    

PHS administers WholeYouNYC (WYNYC), a coordinated community resource network that builds trustworthy and reliable pathways between healthcare providers, health plans and CBOs providing critical resources in the community that address the social drivers of health. WYNYC brings together over 100 organizations offering various programs – such as food, housing, employment, health insurance, and sexual health services – across all five boroughs. These services and programs make it possible for New Yorkers to live their healthiest lives and ultimately reduce health disparities and advance health equity. To date, our network has already impacted thousands of lives through community partnerships and referrals, generating millions in estimated healthcare savings.  

New York State (NYS) recently announced the availability of $500M statewide to support Social Care Network (SCN) lead entities responsible for coordinating social care delivery in various regions across the state. Public Health Solutions (PHS) and our WYNYC network were awarded the role of regional SCN for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

This is a grant-funded position ending March 31, 2027.

Position Summary

We seek a Community Engagement Specialist (CES) to assist in executing WholeYouNYC SCN community outreach and engagement activities across Brooklyn or Queens and Manhattan. The CES will play a critical role in ensuring that our WholeYouNYC SCN remains connected to the communities we serve and is responsive to its needs. As part of the SCN Community Outreach and Engagement Team, the CES will assist with community outreach events, listening sessions, and other engagement activities to ensure all New Yorkers who are Medicaid eligible receive the services they need. The CES reports to the Community Engagement Manager (CEM), with a focus on engaging community partners and members and identifying opportunities for the SCN to better meet the needs of Medicaid (and Medicaid eligible) members residing in our SCN Region – Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan .

Specifically, The Community Engagement Specialist Will

Serve as an SCN representative at community meetings, civic and neighborhood events.
Conduct community outreach engagement activities, including but not limited to community presentations, focus groups, surveying and listening sessions across your assigned borough(s) (Queens and Manhattan or Brooklyn).
Participate in community events such as health fairs, workshops, food pantries, and church events, providing direct support for SCN screenings and navigation, as needed.
Help lead community level sessions and workgroups with diverse stakeholders to understand population needs and the barriers preventing effective care coordination across the health and human services.
Proactively assist CEM identify opportunities to help the WholeYouNYC SCN address unmet local population needs.
Provide up-to-date information on access to Medicaid services to eligible New Yorkers as well as serve as a point person to guide community members to said resources.
Provide input on the project’s marketing and promotional materials as needed.
Assist with SCN screening and navigation to network resources.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Experience

Minimum 1 year experience in public health, and/or community engagement in underserved neighborhoods within an urban setting and/or equivalent.
High degree of comfortability with public speaking and presenting to diverse audiences.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills (verbal, written and presentation).
Ability to embrace diversity and establish trusting relationships with individuals of differing identities.
Dedication to helping improve the lives of disenfranchised and marginalized community members and working together to achieve health equity.
Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and tact in interpersonal relations.
Excellent team player with the ability to be flexible, work collaboratively both internally and externally, and complete tasks independently.
Comfort working with Microsoft Office, including Excel for data entry.
Ability to balance and manage a hybrid work environment that includes a combination of in-office, remote work, and field work.
Ability to travel up to 5 days a week (Mon – Fri) within local communities across Queens and Manhattan or Brooklyn. Work evening hours and weekends when necessary.
When necessary, willing to work outside for up to 3 hours or more at a time, walking and engaging the public, even in cold temperatures.

Desired Skills

Bilingual candidate, preferred.
Resident of – or familiarity with neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Manhattan or Queens preferred.

Benefits

Hybrid Work Schedule.
Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays.
An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental and Vision.
Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter Benefits.
Company Paid Life Insurance and Disability Coverage.
403(b) + employer matching and discretionary company contributions.
College Savings Plan.
Ongoing trainings and continuous opportunities for professional growth and development.
Hourly: $24.7254 - $27.4726

At PHS, we place immense value on diversity within our teams, understanding that varied backgrounds and experiences significantly enhance our community and propel us toward our goals. If you find you don’t have experience in all the areas listed above, we still encourage you to apply and share your background and experiences in your application. We are eager to discover how your unique perspective can bring positive transformations to our team and help advance our mission of creating healthier, more equitable communities.

We look forward to learning more about you!

PHS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and veterans.

Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm; occasional evening hours and weekends when necessary.

35 Hours per week.

Public Health Solutions

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