Health and Wellness Specialist

Health And Wellness Specialist

Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).

Program/Department Description

Community Access provides affordable housing, supportive services, education, training and employment services, integrated rehabilitation and treatment services, and care coordination to individuals with psychiatric disabilities, histories of homelessness, substance use, criminal justice involvement and serious health concerns. The Housing department provides permanent and affordable supportive housing for individuals living with mental health concerns and low-income community residents and families, as well as licensed transitional residential programs for individuals moving from institutions into the community. Services are geared towards assisting people in maintaining their housing and moving forward with their lives in stable community-based environments.

Position Overview

The Health and Wellness Specialist provide CA tenants with opportunities and tools to enhance their health, wellbeing and quality of life. They provide support in the development and implementation of Community Access' agency-wide culture of wellness, infusing all work and activities with the values of health justice/equity, harm reduction, community building and peer expertise.

The Health & Wellness Specialist develops, coordinates, facilitates and implements activities in partnership with program staff in the areas of food access, urban farming, movement, health education/advocacy, community building, self & home care, staff/tenant capacity building, and other activities promoting health and wellbeing.

Key Performance Indicators

Lead the coordination, facilitation and/or hosting of a minimum of 12 tenant activities per month, at a variety of sites, ensuring topics are spread across the following areas:

• Movement classes/activities
• Food Access groups/activities
• Health Advocacy, Education and promotion groups/activities
• Other Wellbeing activities
• Lead and/or co-lead at least one training/technical assistance activity for staff on health and wellbeing a month
• Develop at least one training course in BRIDGE on a topic related to health promotion and wellbeing for staff each quarter.
• Develop at least one accessible pamphlet, flyer, etc. for tenants each month on topics related to health promotion and wellbeing.
• Enter 100% of progress notes within two business days of group/activity

Job Qualifications

• Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
• Knowledge within the fields of food studies, community organizing, health justice/equity, urban agriculture, sustainable ecosystems, public health, and/or related fields.
• Commitment to working with individuals who experience barriers to accessing nutrient-dense & culturally aligned foods and quality health care, including individuals with mental health concerns, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, individuals with histories of homelessness, individuals using drugs/alcohol, etc.
• Ability to run groups and have strong community organizing skills.
• Have skills to promote access to health and wellness opportunities utilizing a harm reduction, person-centered approach.
• Ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively, as part of a team.
• Ability to use planning, judgment and problem-solving skills to develop, assess and improve upon health and wellness programs and activities.
• Knowledge of NYC food, wellness, and health resources that serve those living with long-term chronic health concerns/those living in poverty.
• Experience working in social services, social justice, or community organizing.
• Interest in working in the growing spaces/urban farms at CA sites.
• Demonstrated ability to fulfill administrative and logistical tasks, e.g. inventory, supply coordination, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Ability to utilize various computer programs, specifically Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, Canva, Bridge, Zoom, Google Meets, etc.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• Bilingual Spanish-speaking, preferred. Ability to speak other relevant languages, dependent upon specific needs of tenants.
• Able to travel across multiple CA borough sites (Brooklyn/Manhattan/Bronx).
• Driver's license strongly preferred.
• Ability to use or learn Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, Bridge, Canva, Zoom, Google Meet, etc.
• Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the New York State Justice Center.