DHHS Community Engagement Unit. - Statewide - Community Liaison

This position is classified as temporary but is considered long-term temporary, position is anticipated to last through 2027.

The Department of Health integrated with the Department of Human Services in September 2022 to become North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (ND DHHS). ND DHHS strives to make North Dakota the healthiest state in the nation by reinforcing the foundations of well-being: physical, economic, and behavioral. Those services are to be delivered as close to home as possible with a focus on dignity and respect. The keys to delivery of those services will be the 2800 committed, compassionate ND DHHS team members and more than $4 billion in funding from nearly 200 different federal, state and special sources.

The primary purpose of this position is to assist the North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services Community Engagement Unit to increase education and awareness around health issues for the New American, foreign born, Immigrant (NFI) Population.

Responsibilities include:

• Act as a liaison to HHS on NFI health needs and concerns.
• Provide education and awareness to North Dakota’s NFI populations on COVID-19 and other health issues.
• Provide education on the safety and importance of vaccinations to North Dakota’s NFI populations.
• Assist the Community Engagement & Immunization Coordinator in developing vaccine messaging to each individual NFI community.
• Work with the Community Engagement Unit. and community partners to determine NFI needs relating to COVID-19.
• Assist in the activity efforts specific to NFI in the Community Engagement Unit’s Special Populations COVID-19 Strategic Plan.
• Provide education and awareness on chronic and infectious diseases to NFI communities.
• Other activities for the Community Engagement Unit as needed and/or requested.
• Frequent travel, especially to the western part of the state (Dickinson, Williston, and Watford City) to work with NFI in these communities.

To thrive as an Community Liaison you should have excellent written and oral communication skills along with outstanding interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to lead through conflict are essential. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs is required.

Preference will also be given to qualified applicants with:

• Experience working with diverse populations and settings in a manner that builds trust and supports increased collaboration and partnerships.
• Familiarity and experience with underserved groups and an understanding of culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
• Experience working with multiple New American/Foreign Born/Immigrant populations in North Dakota.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management, including planning, organizing, directing, motivating and decision making.
• Experience working with the recent COVID-19 response.
• Experience working in health settings.
• Knowledge of infectious and chronic diseases.
• Proficiency in Spanish, or another language common among NFI populations in North Dakota, such as Somali, Arabic, or Nepali.
• Knowledge of cultural differences impacting health of NFI populations in North Dakota.

To be considered for this position, you are required to have a Bachelor’s degree in community health, public health, biology, nursing, epidemiology or a related field and two years of professional related work experience.

Individuals must have a valid driver’s license or have the ability to travel from one location to another within the state on their own.

Preference will be given to applicants who live within a 50-mile radius of the North Dakota border.

Temporary employees, who work more than 30 hours per week are eligible for health insurance, retirement, and life insurance, but not other state benefits.