Community Health Educator II - Eastern Washington

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The Cancer Consortium is comprised of a strong collaboration between Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch), University of Washington (UW) and Seattle Children's. The Cancer Consortium is recognized as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Cancer Center through its dedication to developing research programs, faculty, and facilities that will lead to better approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (OCOE) is an integral component of the Consortium. It is housed at Fred Hutch in Seattle with offices in Sunnyside and Spokane. OCOE's vision is better outcomes for everybody. Using a qualitative and quantitative data-driven approach, the OCOE centers authentic engagement, community-based participatory research (CBPR), and education driven by community need. The OCOE works in partnership with local community coalitions and leaders and faculty from the Consortium.

The OCOE is seeking a Community Health Educator (CHE) in Spokane who shares our mission to reduce cancer health disparities by using bidirectional, community-engaged approaches in outreach, programming, and research. The position is based at the Fred Hutch office in Spokane and works with partners across Eastern Washington. The CHE works in community-based partnerships to implement evidence-informed practices to address the cancer burden in WA State. This CHE role is a critical link between Consortium staff and WA state communities. This role specifically focuses on populations in Spokane and Eastern WA, which includes under-served communities. The CHE must have a thorough understanding of and experience working with populations experiencing health disparities. The CHE conducts community outreach and engagement, program implementation and health education using appropriate strategies and methods to improve cancer and related disease outcomes for people in Eastern WA.

Scope of Responsibilities:

The Community Health Educator II works in partnership with another Spokane-based CHE under general supervision of the Community Health Education Manager to address the cancer burden in WA State. This includes work to address cancer health disparities that disproportionately affect Eastern WA, including rural communities. The job will require local and regional travel throughout Eastern Washington, and occasionally to Western Washington and out of state for trainings. The time spent on the following duties may vary depending on the time of year and local priorities.

Essential Duties:

Community Engagement (40%)

Develop, facilitate, and steward academic and community partnerships as a representative of the OCOE and Cancer Consortium.
• Recruit and center under-served populations in Cancer Consortium research and conduct of qualitative interviews and reports.
• Coordinate, plan, and participate in events, including community cancer prevention workshops, OCOE signature events, and health fairs.
• Lead and participate in community coalitions.

Health Education (30%)

• Create content for culturally appropriate brochures, curricula, and educational materials.
• Develop and continually maintain a culturally relevant health education resource bank for community and Consortium partners.
• Conduct community-based education and outreach on cancer and related health topics.
• Present and disseminate cancer-related messages, materials, and research opportunities in oral and written formats, including podcasts, social media, and newsletters.

Program Coordination & Evaluation (30%)

• Coordinate projects with academic, research, community, local government, and regional partners to implement cancer control and education strategies.
• Conduct regular needs assessments, interviews, program evaluations, strategic plans, qualitative and quantitative evaluations, and reports to recommend improvements and demonstrate best practices for OCOE programming.
• Facilitate and participate in regular staff meetings and trainings.
• Oversee the work of volunteers and interns as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree with major study in public health, community health education, or closely allied field, OR Bachelor's degree with at least two years of professional experience in public health, disease prevention, and/or health promotion.
• Valid WA State driver's license.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience working with rural communities.
• Working knowledge of healthcare resources and networks in rural counties of WA State.
• Experience conducting trainings and/or making group presentations.
• Experience with principles and methods of health education/promotion, program coordination and evaluation.
• Experience in planning, developing and implementing public health interventions (i.e. public awareness and social marketing campaigns).
• Experience working in collaborative public health initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with community engagement.
• Experience with relationship and coalition building.
• Understanding and proven ability to work with communities experiencing health inequity.
• Must be culturally aware, demonstrate cultural humility, and sensitive to diverse populations in the Consortium's catchment area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in a relevant degree with major study in public health, community health education, health administration, or closely allied field.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in English in both verbal and written form.
• Ability to communicate information in a culturally appropriate, respectful manner to a variety of audiences.
• Proven ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated high level of service delivery to internal and external partners.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc.)
• Experience in the effective use of social media and podcasts as a health messaging and interactive tool, including Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience working in an academic or scientific research environment.
• Experience working in public health, community health, health equity and/or health disparities research.
• Skills in database creation and management.
• Bilingual in English & other language of importance to residents in rural Washington (such as Spanish).

TO APPLY: Please submit your cover letter, resume and at least three references (including at least one prior supervisor).

The hourly pay range for this position is from $31.26 to $44.51 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H-1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H-1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).