Health and disability program coordinator

The Health and Disability Program (HDP), as part of the Office of Health Equity within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, has been championing the health of people with disabilities since 1989. Our mission is to promote the health and well-being of people with disabilities in Massachusetts and prevent secondary conditions by transforming public-health systems and sharing power with the disability community.

HDP’s work focuses on policy and systems change driven by people with disabilities, in the spirit of “nothing about us without us,” and implemented through strong collaborations with public health programs and services, state agencies, academic institutions, and community partners. HDP is strongly committed to reducing health inequities for people with disabilities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

We strive to bring an intersectional disability-justice lens to all our activities, including: providing training and technical assistance to public-health programs to enable them to include (and, where appropriate, center) people with disabilities in their work, whether it be data collection, communications, policy development, or direct services; providing people with disabilities with the necessary tools and information to confidently make, communicate, and act on decisions to maximize their own health within a still-imperfect system; and supporting the Health and Disability Partnership, an independent stakeholder advisory group designed to disseminate health information to the disability community and provide a forum for members to contribute their advice as experts in their own experience and needs.

The Health and Disability Program Coordinator provides consultation, training, and technical assistance on disability and accessibility issues to Department of Public Health (DPH) staff, vendors, and partners in activities related to the Health and Disability Program’s (HDP) cooperative agreement with the CDC on “Improving the Health of People with Mobility Limitations and Intellectual Disabilities through State-based Public Health Programs.” This position supports the work of the designated Program Lead and Principal Investigator on this grant.

The Health and Disability Program Coordinator will work as part of the Division of Access and Inclusion in the Office of Health Equity and Community Engagement (OHECE), and in close collaboration with internal and external partners. These may include members of the Health and Disability Partnership, other states who have entered into the same CDC Cooperative Agreement, and the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

(these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Coordinate and monitor HDP activities to ensure effective operations and compliance with established standards.
• Review and analyze data concerning HDP programs to determine progress and effectiveness, to make recommendations for changes in procedures, guidelines, etc. and to devise methods of accomplishing program objectives.
• Provide subject-matter expertise to DPH personnel and others concerning the activities of the Health and Disability Program as well as issues affecting the health of people with disabilities in Massachusetts.
• Collaborate with various private, local, state and federal agencies and others to collaborate on projects, exchange information, improve systems and/or to resolve problems.
• Performs related duties such as attending meetings and conferences; maintaining records; and preparing reports.
• Implement activities as required by HDP’s cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Participate in the funding application process at the end of each five-year cycle, as well as annual reporting and associated activities.

Equipment operated: computers, Microsoft Office suite, video-conferencing platforms, and other office equipment/programs; telephone (or equivalent) as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Understanding of the principles and practices of human resource management including behavioral techniques, planning, forecasting, organizational development, etc.
• Knowledge of work simplification and performance management methods.
• Knowledge of the methods of general report writing.
• Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned activities.
• Skilled to analyze and determine the applicability of data, draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Capacity to gather information by examining records and documents and by questioning individuals.
• Potential to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
• Able to determine proper format and procedure for assembling items of information.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to prepare and use charts, graphs and tables.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience with, or membership in, the community to be served.
• Proficiency in communicating accessibly and respectfully with members of the public, including people with a wide range of disabilities.
• Proficiency in communicating accessibly and respectfully with professional colleagues, including clinicians, program staff, and funders. (Modes of communication may include written correspondence, calls, memos, proposals, reports, videoconferences, and presentations in front of an audience.)
• Organizational skills, including knowledge of your preferred strategies for time management, record-keeping, and work simplification.
• Knowledge of the methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs, tables, and reports, or demonstrated ability to learn related skills.
• Ability to learn, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned activities.
• Understanding of data interpretation, including how to identify relevant information, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations and presentations.
• Means to give and follow instructions, collaborate, support, and delegate according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, and the capabilities of others.
• Ability to keep track of tasks and outcomes through periodic reviews and/or evaluations.
• Ability to adjust to varying or changing situations to meet emergencies or changing program requirements.
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Native or professional fluency in a relevant language also desirable.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high-quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offers services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

• I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.*
• II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.*
• III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.