Inform. Involve. Inspire.

TCI School Wellness Coordinator (Contractor)

Background:

IPHI is recruiting a contractor to serve as a part-time Healthy Montgomery Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) Wellness Coordinator to support the development and implementation of school wellness councils in Montgomery County, Maryland. Trinity Health, one of the country’s largest health systems, awarded partners involved in the Healthy Montgomery community health improvement process funding to implement a range of public health strategies to reduce obesity and promote tobacco-free living, and address social determinants that impact health outcomes. The local collaborative includes Trinity Health member Holy Cross Health, the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI), Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and the Eat Well Be Active Partnership (EWBA) of Healthy Montgomery. Initially, strategies focused on policy, systems and environmental changes that offer long-term benefits for community health improvement and preventing chronic disease, with a specific focus on underserved and low-income communities in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Long Branch and Takoma Park. The strategies targeted vulnerable populations who are disproportionately impacted by health conditions related to poor diet, inactivity, tobacco use, and related social determinants, and who experience documented barriers to healthy living.

Nature of Work: The role of the School Wellness Coordinator is to provide technical assistance to Local School Wellness Councils (LSWCs) in order to ensure schools are aligned with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Wellness Regulations. The School Wellness Coordinator will provide training and resources to Local School Wellness Council Champions and other LSWC members and partners to increase wellness council functionality. The School Wellness Coordinator will provide direct, hands-on assistance to schools as they write and implement their Wellness Action Plans and will monitor implementation and provide ongoing support to ensure sustainability. The Coordinator will also conduct outreach to schools to offer support, share tools, broker partner resources and will work with assigned schools on areas of interest for the schools and/or areas identified as needs by the Director of School Wellness.

Duration: This is a part-time, temporary position (18-20 hours a week), August 2018 through June 30, 2019.

Reports to: Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) staff and MCPS Director, Student Wellness Initiatives

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Coordinator will receive guidance and direction from MCPS and IPHI in carrying out the following:

• Provide remote or in-person technical assistance to schools as directed and in coordination with the MCPS Director of Student Wellness Initiatives.
• Support the development of a toolkit.
• Prepare, organize and manage a mini-grant process.
• Coordinate communication about overall program, resources, and available support via monthly newsletters to schools and relevant partners.
• Assist with event planning to enhance roll-out of district-wide wellness support.
• Participate in weekly check-in calls with MCPS Director of Student Wellness Initiatives (or other designated MCPS staff) and IPHI staff.
• Conduct relevant trainings for LSWC Champions as needed.
• Assist with tracking the implementation and accomplishments of LSWCs across MCPS.
• Organize and prepare reporting requirements for various funders, including monthly and annual reports.
• Other duties related to this position as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:  A college or advanced degree and at least five years of work experience (paid or volunteer), with two years of experience in a related field(s) such as nutrition or food systems, physical activity, healthy living and wellness, community organizing, public health, or nursing. Preference for individuals with work experience in a school setting. References required and a background check.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Experience in developing and conducting trainings and provide technical assistance and/or coaching individuals or small groups.
• Excellent relationship building, written communication, presentation and public speaking skills.
• Experience working with diverse communities.
• Ability to collaborate with and build positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated professional and political aptitude.
• Strong-problem-solving skills with an ability to think creatively, reflect, and share knowledge.
• Knowledge and experience collecting and managing social media, Google docs).
• Bi-lingual candidates encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION:  Hourly rate is $32.00. This is an 18-20 hour per week commitment, with some flexibility based on meeting attendance, trainings, and travel. The work will occur primarily during school hours and after school and may require occasional evening and weekend meetings. The scheduling of work hours is flexible. IPHI will also offer reimbursement for local travel to and from work activities. This is a 11-month contract position, beginning August 1, 2018. As a contract position, this position does not include fringe benefits.

JOB LOCATION: The Contractor/Coordinator will be assigned office space as well as a computer and other supplies at an MCPS location.

TRAVEL: Local travel throughout Montgomery County is required for this part-time contractor position.

The Institute for Public Health Innovation values a diverse, respectful, and collaborative work environment. We establish and maintain trustful relationships with all staff, contractors, funders, partners, and communities. We believe that hard work, a focus on quality, and a passion for the public’s health are required to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. IPHI looks to all staff and contractors to contribute to the effective implementation of programmatic activities.