Community Engagement Specialist
Smartstartofmeck, Charlotte, NC, United States
AGENCY AREA
Program Staff/Outreach
REPORTS TO Research Project Manager
GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION The Community Engagement Specialist supports research and program activities focused on community health, HIV prevention, and participant engagement. This position combines research support duties with peer-informed engagement to assist clients and participants in a respectful, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed manner. This role works closely with outreach, clinical, and research staff to support daily operations while following established protocols and ethical guidelines. This role currently works with Duke's EASE project and Wake Forest's Cascade project.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Community Engagement Specialist will work under the supervision and administrative guidance of the Director of Outreach while carrying out the following responsibilities:
Assist with participant recruitment, screening, and enrollment activities in accordance with established research protocols and eligibility criteria
Conduct eligibility screenings using study-defined behavioral risk criteria, following approved procedures and training
Support biospecimen collection activities by preparing materials, assisting participants, and adhering to all safety and handling guidelines
Administer or assist with completion of study surveys and assessments while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and participant understanding
Support day-to-day operations of the EASE program, including client interactions, assistance with weekly group sessions, and completion of required documentation
Support day-to-day operations, recruitment, and retention of Cascade project
Uphold ethical research and peer support practices, including participant confidentiality, informed consent, and culturally responsive engagement
Provide HIV testing and other testing as required, in accordance with certification, training, and agency protocols
Support community outreach and engagement activities, including events, resource sharing, and relationship-building with community members
Maintain working knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and agency confidentiality requirements
Complete required program documentation, reports, timesheets, surveys and mileage tracking by established deadlines
MINOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Participate in training, agency and inter-disciplinary meetings and required agency functions
Provide crisis intervention as needed
Participate in continuous quality improvement for the department and the agency
Maintain safe record keeping of client information and research study materials as directed by HIPAA, RAIN, and research teams
Must be timely and prepared to work during traditional and non-traditional scheduled hours
Other duties as assigned by supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS
Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
Self-starter; able to work with limited supervision
Expected willingness to remain current on LGBTQ+ cultural issues
Expected willingness to remain current on HIV and related medical and cultural issues
HIV lived experience preferred, but not required
Substance Use lived experience preferred, but not required
Phlebotomy certification preferred, but not required (Must be willing to obtain at RAIN's expense if not already certified)
Two years' work experience in HIV preferred, but not required
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with competence in approaching and beginning conversations with new individuals
Ability to comfortably navigate cooperative working relationships across the agency spectrum; including but not limited to clients and their families, staff colleagues, volunteers, third party providers, universities, donors and members of the Board of Directors
KEY COMPENTENCIES
Valid driver's license, dependable transportation and vehicle insurance
Competency in Word and Excel and aptitude and willingness to learn other job specific programs
Passing score on HIPAA regulations training, understanding of confidentiality and expected willingness to always maintain these standards
Ability to identify and utilize appropriate community resources
Ability to demonstrate cultural competency and understanding of the structural barriers impacting health outcomes
Ability to recognize and maintain personal and professional boundaries as well as practice regular self-care
Must be willing to be trained and certified as a Certified Application Counselor for the ACA
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job classification. They are not to be construed as an all-inclusive list of all duties, skills, and responsibilities of people so assigned.
RAIN's policy is to provide equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, disability or veteran status
#J-18808-Ljbffr
REPORTS TO Research Project Manager
GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION The Community Engagement Specialist supports research and program activities focused on community health, HIV prevention, and participant engagement. This position combines research support duties with peer-informed engagement to assist clients and participants in a respectful, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed manner. This role works closely with outreach, clinical, and research staff to support daily operations while following established protocols and ethical guidelines. This role currently works with Duke's EASE project and Wake Forest's Cascade project.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Community Engagement Specialist will work under the supervision and administrative guidance of the Director of Outreach while carrying out the following responsibilities:
Assist with participant recruitment, screening, and enrollment activities in accordance with established research protocols and eligibility criteria
Conduct eligibility screenings using study-defined behavioral risk criteria, following approved procedures and training
Support biospecimen collection activities by preparing materials, assisting participants, and adhering to all safety and handling guidelines
Administer or assist with completion of study surveys and assessments while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and participant understanding
Support day-to-day operations of the EASE program, including client interactions, assistance with weekly group sessions, and completion of required documentation
Support day-to-day operations, recruitment, and retention of Cascade project
Uphold ethical research and peer support practices, including participant confidentiality, informed consent, and culturally responsive engagement
Provide HIV testing and other testing as required, in accordance with certification, training, and agency protocols
Support community outreach and engagement activities, including events, resource sharing, and relationship-building with community members
Maintain working knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and agency confidentiality requirements
Complete required program documentation, reports, timesheets, surveys and mileage tracking by established deadlines
MINOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Participate in training, agency and inter-disciplinary meetings and required agency functions
Provide crisis intervention as needed
Participate in continuous quality improvement for the department and the agency
Maintain safe record keeping of client information and research study materials as directed by HIPAA, RAIN, and research teams
Must be timely and prepared to work during traditional and non-traditional scheduled hours
Other duties as assigned by supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS
Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
Self-starter; able to work with limited supervision
Expected willingness to remain current on LGBTQ+ cultural issues
Expected willingness to remain current on HIV and related medical and cultural issues
HIV lived experience preferred, but not required
Substance Use lived experience preferred, but not required
Phlebotomy certification preferred, but not required (Must be willing to obtain at RAIN's expense if not already certified)
Two years' work experience in HIV preferred, but not required
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with competence in approaching and beginning conversations with new individuals
Ability to comfortably navigate cooperative working relationships across the agency spectrum; including but not limited to clients and their families, staff colleagues, volunteers, third party providers, universities, donors and members of the Board of Directors
KEY COMPENTENCIES
Valid driver's license, dependable transportation and vehicle insurance
Competency in Word and Excel and aptitude and willingness to learn other job specific programs
Passing score on HIPAA regulations training, understanding of confidentiality and expected willingness to always maintain these standards
Ability to identify and utilize appropriate community resources
Ability to demonstrate cultural competency and understanding of the structural barriers impacting health outcomes
Ability to recognize and maintain personal and professional boundaries as well as practice regular self-care
Must be willing to be trained and certified as a Certified Application Counselor for the ACA
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job classification. They are not to be construed as an all-inclusive list of all duties, skills, and responsibilities of people so assigned.
RAIN's policy is to provide equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, disability or veteran status
#J-18808-Ljbffr