The primary responsibility of this position is to successfully develop and maintain relationships with the Greater Boston community and community leaders to direct activities of the Community Engagement Program for Boston University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s (CTSI) Community Engagement (CE) Program.

The COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST will assist to meet the strategic priorities of the Community Engagement Program, including expansion and retention of diverse community stakeholders to support CE research that will improve population health and reduce health disparities in Greater Boston. This position is responsible for building, implementing, and engaging in relationships with community stakeholders to develop and nurture a Community Advisory Board. Highly qualified candidates will have experience working in the community and be familiar with academic research; have experience working in diverse communities; and demonstrated capacity to build rapport and trusting relationships with key community leaders. The COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST reports to the Manager of the Community Engagement Program and works directly with leadership of the CE Program to promote collaboration among a diverse representation of community stakeholders (primary care and specialty practices, community groups, patient advisory groups) and between community and researcher stakeholders.

Core responsibilities of this role include:

• Assist to recruit community stakeholders to a Community Advisory Board and maintain relationships through ongoing bi-directional communication
• Prepare and distribute materials for Community Advisory Board meetings, summarize minutes from meetings and action steps.
• Attend community events and meetings to raise awareness of the Community Engagement Program and build trusting relationships with community stakeholders
• Use learned knowledge from community relationships to inform CE Program leadership about community priorities and needs that may be supported through translational science
• Engage leadership of the CE Program to plan, problem-solve, and adapt the collaboration plan
• Develop a comprehensive working knowledge of community context, interests, and resources to proactively identify opportunities to improve the CE Program and collaboration plan

Required Skills

Required skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, health education, non-profit management, or related field; or equivalent experience
• 3-5 years of professional experience in community engagement, community research, and/or related field (such as social work, public health, community advocacy, community-based marketing communication, community organizing, political campaigns, public relations strategy)
• Community facilitation skills
• Demonstrates understanding of social context of Greater Boston communities and neighborhoods
• Familiarity and working knowledge of academic research processes, especially clinical trials or other healthcare-related research
• Excellent, effective, and professional oral and written communicator to be a liaison between diverse community stakeholders and research stakeholders
• Bi-lingual candidate ideal (e.g. Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, etc.)
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office products and desktop publishing
• Highly organized administrator with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Must be able to work nights and weekends as needed
• Up to 30% in-state travel required
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds of equipment and stand for long periods of time

• Only applications with cover letters will be reviewed

• Writing sample required at time of interview

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Required Experience

Required skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, health education, non-profit management, or related field; or equivalent experience
• 3-5 years of professional experience in community engagement, community research, and/or related field (such as social work, public health, community advocacy, community-based marketing communication, community organizing, political campaigns, public relations strategy)
• Community facilitation skills
• Demonstrates understanding of social context of Greater Boston communities and neighborhoods
• Familiarity and working knowledge of academic research processes, especially clinical trials or other healthcare-related research
• Excellent, effective, and professional oral and written communicator to be a liaison between diverse community stakeholders and research stakeholders
• Bi-lingual candidate ideal (e.g. Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, etc.)
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office products and desktop publishing
• Highly organized administrator with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Must be able to work nights and weekends as needed
• Up to 30% in-state travel required
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds of equipment and stand for long periods of time

• Only applications with cover letters will be reviewed

• Writing sample required at time of interview

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.