Program Specialist-Hidalgo County Health Council (HCHC)


The Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is seeking a self-motivated individual to coordinate and lead the Hidalgo County Health Council.  The Health Council Coordinator works with a multi-sector community coalition and is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating appropriate strategies, community engagement, meeting coordination, data collection, and detailed activity reporting.  This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree (relevant experience may substitute for education) and two years of relevant experience in prevention or human services related field. Required skills include: facilitation, project management, organized, team player, and the ability to coordinate multiple project activities and players.

Review the full position description at www.swchi.org .  Send resume and letter of interest by October 2, 2020  to ltecca@chi-phi.org. Please share with your networks, friends, and colleagues!

Job Description and Duties – Project Specialist Hidalgo Health Council

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Position Function Summary

Under the direction of the Supervisor, the Program Specialist I (aka Hidalgo County Health Council Coordinator) performs work directly related to the management and business operations of CHI and its local, state and nationally partners.

The delivery of quality service and positive interaction with our customers is critical to the completion of all tasks within this job description, thus the employee is responsible for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with visitors, partners and CHI employees in a courteous, respectful and professional manner.  Guidelines include all CHI policies and procedures. 

Position Accountabilities

Position responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  1. Maintain relationships and regular communication with Coalition members and partners.
  2. Recruit and retain cross-sector representative stakeholders and partners for inclusion in the health council.
  3. Assure that all activities identified in the project Action Plan are carried out in a timely manner and with quality. Any issue or obstacles to achieving project activities, objectives and goals will be brought to the attention of the Project Director.
  4. Engage in all quarterly, in person meetings and monthly remote meetings and all additional trainings outlined in SPF-FPS action plan as defined in the PFS handbook.
  5. Act as community liaison for all SPF-FPS activities and engage with community, evaluator, project director and others as outlined in action plan.
  6. Attend national CADCA or similar prevention conferences. (year 3-5)
  7. Coordinate collection of NM Community Survey (year 2-5)
  8. Draft all required project reports.
  9. Coordinates, schedules and performs daily operations of the program(s).
  10. Composes, files, updates and distributes appropriate reports, minutes of meetings, general correspondence, evaluations, newsletters, information, etc.  This may include websites and social media venues.
  11. Assists with, coordinates, and/or conducts program evaluation; prepares reports and participates in formal quality improvement projects as required.
  12. Facilitate, attend, and coordinate internal and external events and program and/or community coalition meetings.
  13. Represents CHI programs at public forums and community meetings and collaborates with others to ensure program success. 
  14. Obtains supporting documents or information for funding proposals; assists with grant writing as requested.
  15. Secures, manages, and coordinates outreach opportunities, events, and community projects, including but not limited to securing venues, equipment, supplies, and materials and promotion of the event.
  16. Plans, implements and evaluates program processes and strategies within a team and/or coalition environment. Provides guidance, coaching and feedback to community teams. Builds capacity of team/coalition to ensure accomplishment of goals and credibility within the community.
  17. Attends CHI staff meetings and quarterly DOH Health Council/Health Promotion meetings.
  18. Will adhere to established safety practices.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree (2 years of relevant experience may substitute for 1 year of education)
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in health and human services, community development, or related field.
  • Works well in a directed/supervised environment, self-motivated,
  • Skills: facilitation, public speaking, project management, project assessment and reporting, detail oriented, organized, team player, and the ability to coordinate multiple project activities and players.
  • Ability to use internet for research, competent in Microsoft Suite software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Current driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Desirable Qualities

  • Understanding of community coalitions or collaborations among multiple sectors and ability to build capacity of such coalitions/collaborations to ensure it meets its mission/purpose.
  • Fluency in Spanish (oral and written)
  • Experience or background with rural or frontier environments.
  • Able/willing to accept constructive feedback.
  • Able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Demands

  • Occasional prolonged standing/walking
  • Occasional lifting of supplies and/or equipment up to 50 lbs.
  • Occasional driving short and /or long distances.
  • Frequent use of computers and keyboard.

Working Conditions

  • Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching
  • Considerable use of keyboard
  • Intermittent pressure due to deadlines and working with the public.
  • Must be able to travel locally, within New Mexico. Occasional national travel may be required.
  • Willing to work a flexible schedule: attending and facilitating some evening and/or weekend meetings and activities.

Special Requirements

  • Must be willing to use personal vehicle during employment.  Must be willing to do intra state travel as needed.
  • Must be able to meet deadlines.

The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and should not be considered as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.