Job in Baltimore: Community Health Organizer

Community Health Organizer


JOB TITLE: Community Health Organizer for Food Access Issues


GENERAL FUNCTION: The Virtual Supermarket Program (VSP) is one component of the Baltimore City Health Department’s (BCHD) and the Baltimore Food Policy Advisory Council’s (Food PAC) growing efforts to address diet-related health inequities by improving access to healthy foods in all Baltimore communities. The community organizer is integral to the success of these efforts and in our ability to raise the profile of food access issues in the City and to generate collective and sustained movement towards ensuring that all residents, regardless of neighborhood or income, have the fair opportunity to eat healthy. The community organizers primary role will be to ensure that there is sustained and strategic community engagement to around Baltimore’s food access issues.

The community organizer would help spread the word about the VSP (general and targeted outreach), by scheduling appropriate meetings with community organizations such as schools, neighborhood associations, faith organizations, etc., and also to serve as a consistent point of contact, liaison, and advocate for the VSP and other food-related issues. The organizer will work as an entre and energizing point to increase and anchor efforts at mitigating the City’s food deserts in a coordinated and sustainable fashion that builds lasting power and commitment. The community organizer would also work with the BCHD Health and Wellness Initiative, assisting 1095 BCHD employees, half of which reside in food deserts, in becoming community advocates for improved food access and healthy eating.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Identify key community organizations and schedule meetings to help promote the VSP
**Plan community events and discussion forums to discuss and track food access issues/concerns is their neighborhoods
**Identify and mobilize key community organizations and residents around new strategies in the Food PAC, including Neighborhood Food Advocates
**Assist VSP customers in the ordering/delivery process at VSP sites
**Provide assistance with other daily operation aspects of the VSP
**Assist with planning and operation of the BCHD Employee Wellness Initiative
**Assist with the operation of other food-related projects that may arise, including youth photovoice and other community engagement/assessment projects



SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Virtual Supermarket Co-Coordinators.



JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Knowledge and Abilities:

· Excellent communication skills.

· Basic knowledge of grammar, spelling punctuation, and simple mathematics.

· Basic computer knowledge including ability to write/send emails

· Strong knowledge about neighborhoods in Baltimore City and existing community organizations.

· Familiarity with the general food environment in Baltimore City

· Ability to travel to multiple community sites in Baltimore City. (Must provide own transportation. You will be reimbursed for gas/parking.)

· Fluency in a language other than English is a plus

Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Requirements:

Requirements - A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in public health, public policy, social work, community nursing, or similar field; AND either one year of experience in formal community organizing, or two years of experience with community-based health programs and outreach.

Equivalencies - An associates degree and two years of experience in formal community organizing or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Information about the position should be directed to Laura Fox at laura.fox@baltimorecity.gov. Please send your resume with references by February 28, 2011

Baltimore City is an Equal Opportunity Employer