Community Health Outreach Educator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Health Outreach Educator (CHOE) bridges the gap between marginalized communities, particularly Black and LGBTQI+ populations, and the healthcare system. This role facilitates outreach, education, and navigation of resources to promote health equity and accessibility. The CHOE’s responsibilities include community outreach, resource navigation, and program support, with a commitment to fostering inclusivity, reducing health disparities, and building trust within underserved communities. Travel within the region is required up to 60% of the time. They also collaborate with PPGNY health centers to schedule appointments, facilitate visits, and ensure accurate family planning and reproductive health information, referrals, and program administration to optimize access to care.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Engagement and Outreach (50%):

Actively engage with local LGBTQI+ and Black communities to understand their diverse needs and preferences.

Plan and execute outreach events, workshops, and activities that promote awareness, health equity, and inclusivity.

Establish and maintain relationships with community members, organizations, and leaders to enhance access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

Advocate for the rights and well-being of LGBTQI+ and Black individuals, including addressing systemic barriers to care.

Conduct outreach throughout the City of Newburgh, the City of Poughkeepsie and Kingston and provide workshops at various community venues, such as community-based organizations, food pantries, laundromats, salons, as required.

Collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders to deepen partnerships and promote inclusivity.

Promote enrollment in Family Planning Benefit Programs (FPBP) and other healthcare initiatives.

Build trust across cultural differences and reflect on personal identity with humility to foster strong relationships.

Provide compassionate, non-judgmental care and ensure a safe environment for individuals seeking assistance.

Navigation and Resource Connection (40%):

Identify and connect individuals with relevant community resources, healthcare services, and support networks.

Stay informed about local, regional, and national services and programs that benefit marginalized communities.

Assist individuals in accessing culturally competent resources and provide crisis support when needed.

Maintain a working knowledge of AIRS, Salesforce, and other reporting platforms for documentation and reporting.

Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent updates to referral lists and resource materials.

Assist clients in making appointments and provide general referrals to health and social services.

Program and Administrative Support (10%):

Complete PPGNY training on sexual and reproductive health, outreach, and facilitation skills.

Support planning, scheduling, and execution of outreach and education programs.

Prepare materials for workshops and outreach events and ensure accurate data collection and reporting.

Represent the department at internal and external meetings, coalitions, and community events.

Collaborate with colleagues to promote and provide referrals to PPGNY’s educational and advocacy programs.

Special Projects and Additional Duties:

Perform other educational or community-based duties as assigned, including participation in special projects.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• A demonstrated commitment to PPGNY’s mission related to bodily autonomy, health equity, and gender and racial justice

• A demonstrated commitment to learning about and enhancing practices related to racial equity and its impact on healthcare systems.

• Strong relationship building and communication skills, including an ability to work and build trust across cultural differences related to related to race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and to reflect on one’s personal identity with humility

• Ability to provide compassionate, non-judgmental and culturally responsive care across race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and demonstrates deep sense of accountability to patient experience

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Interpersonal

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal skills

• Ability to develop and maintain effective, professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

• Excellent customer service and communication skills

• Outstanding written communication skills

• Must be open and non-judgmental when encountering values, and experiences that may be different from their own.

Technical

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software

• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel

Subject Matter Knowledge

• Knowledge of the barriers faced by LGBTQI+ persons and communities of color in accessing health care and other human services as well as an understanding of social determinants of health

• Understanding of concepts such as gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and biological sex and an ability to clearly explain them to others

• Ability to produce reliable, high-quality work with minimal direct supervision

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making skills

• Keen attention to detail

• Excellent organizational skills

• Evenings, weekends, and travel around the City of Newburgh, the City of Poughkeepsie and Kingston is required.

• Valid driver’s license and daily availability to an automobile to meet the travel requirements of the position.

• Outstanding time management skills, including the ability to work under deadline

• Ability to uphold strict confidentiality standards to create a safe and trusting environment for individuals seeking assistance

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Understand the barriers that people of marginalized identities including LGBTQI+, Black, Indigenous and People of Color face in accessing sexual and reproductive health care.

• Requires an ability equal to that usually derived from satisfactory completion of courses required for graduation from high school or GED completion.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field is preferred.

• Interested in learning and serving as a leader to teach others about sexual and reproductive health.

• Comfort with virtual tools for program delivery or community networking.

• Microsoft Word and other computer skills preferred.

• Other additional languages/dialects a plus.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Requires prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks including use of a computer. Periodic standing, walking, bending. Requires lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds of programming or event materials. Must be ablet o occasionally walk up and down stairs. Visual acuity sufficient to perform frequent work on a computer screen and review printed reports and other materials. Requires the ability to hear and to communicate orally with others. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets, and will require reaching, grasping, pushing and pulling.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

This job operates in a professional office environment. Potential exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions in a health center environment. Requires travel to various indoor and outdoor environments to conduct programming or events. Requires flexible schedule and during peak activity periods work in excess of 7.5 hours/ per day and/or 37.5 hours per week.

PPGNY's benefits package includes:

Generous PTO and holiday schedule

Medical, dental and vision coverage options for you and eligible dependents

FSA, HSA, Commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds

Short- and Long-Term Disability, Free Basic Life and AD&D

401(k) Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor contributions after 1 year of employment

All positions at PPGNY require:

Proof of immunization or immunity to certain communicable diseases (including influenza during the flu season and Covid-19) and testing for tuberculosis. These certifications are required by the NYC DOHMH Health Code, NYSDOH and OSHA.

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a leading provider, educator, and advocate of sexual and reproductive health care in New York State. PPGNY is proud to provide a wide-range of family planning services at our brick-and-mortar health centers and mobile care units. We care for everyone regardless of their immigration status, zip code or ability to pay. PPGNY’s education and outreach programs are backed by medically accurate, evidence-based information that allows people to make informed decisions about their health and future. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY supports legislation and policies that ensure all New Yorkers have access to the full range of reproductive health care and education.

At PPGNY, we provide the absolute best care to our patients and our communities through innovative health care delivery and education programming. We care for everyone who walks through our doors regardless of insurance, ability to pay or immigration status. As a leading voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY fiercely advocates for policies to ensure that all New Yorkers will have access to the full range of reproductive health care services and information.

PPGNY is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe we are most impactful when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.