Regional Public Health Training Hub Specialist

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks candidates for the position of Regional Public Health Training Hub Specialist for the Eastern Massachusetts Training Hub. The specialist will support Regional Hub Trainers in delivery of local public health training and coordinate between trainers and local public health officials across the Eastern MA service area. The specialist will also work in partnership with the MA Department of Public Health DPH Office of Local and Regional Health (OLRH) and MAPC to advance goals for training and workforce development that aligns with the Massachusetts Special Commission’s Blueprint for Public Health Excellence recommendations. 

The Regional Training Hub (RTH) is part of a 3-tiered model that includes self-paced online training modules (Tier 1), in-depth knowledge-based competency development in the classroom (Tier 2), and hands-on competency and skills development in the field (Tier 3). These tiers of the training model act as learning building blocks and provide a comprehensive training infrastructure that intends to increase the pool of trained local public health professionals and increase the capacity of local and shared public health staff.

About MAPC:

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development and preservation, advancing equity in the region, collaboration across municipal lines, and developing a climate-friendly and resilient region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 120 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office.  

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org

About the Department: 

The MAPC Public Health department is a multi-disciplinary team of planners and public health staff who use a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach to increase health equity and justice in the Metro Boston region. Priorities for the public health team’s work include addressing environmental and climate change risks to community health, support for local and shared public health efforts, advancement of healthy community design changes, and innovations to alter the root causes of health inequities. MAPC’s Public Health Department has hosted the Eastern MA Training Hub since 2022.

The Regional Public Health Training Hub Specialist will be supervised by the Lead Trainer at the Eastern MA Training Hub, who will coordinate with the Director of Public Health on overall RTH implementation. The specialist will work closely with the other regional trainers based out of MAPC and be in regular contact with staff from local public health departments and shared public health services in the cities and towns we serve. 

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Organize regular check-in meetings with city and town public health department leads and staff;
• Establish and build supportive relationships with Public Health Excellence (PHE)-funded local public health and shared services staff;
• Conduct research to identify possible training sites and ensure they meet both the training goals and safety and accessibility requirements;
• Arrange the logistical needs for the Tier 3 training sites/establishments and ensure accessibility and safety;
• Work with Shared Service Arrangements (SSAs)/public health collaboratives in training hub to identify the major areas of need with regards to the topic areas related to Food Safety, Housing & State Sanitary Code; Septic Systems & Title 5, and various other environmental health inspections;
• Design and develop a registration, tracking, and reporting system for RTH training activities;
• Work with the ORLH Workforce Development Unit to develop a RTH evaluation plan;
• Develop and implement communication plans to engage diverse stakeholders, including health directors, boards of health, and local public health staff, to promote standardized training for the health inspection workforce;
• Maintain consistent and transparent communication with regional stakeholders to ensure the dissemination of vital program information and encourage participation in RTH training initiatives;
• Help to ensure compliance with grant deliverables and activities as outlined by OLRH, meeting fiscal year targets and goals;
• Coordinate quarterly progress and budget reports;
• Assist with maintenance and updates to the Eastern MA Training Hub Website.
   

Evening events, occasional weekend events, and local travel are a responsibility for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account and BlueBikes membership. 

Qualifications

Candidates for this position should have four years of relevant work experience in the public health, environmental health, or professional training fields OR a Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant work experience in the identified fields OR Master’s degree and one year of work experience in the identified fields.

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:

• Proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Customer service skills with the ability to learn new information quickly. 
• Problem-solving and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and maintain records. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to complete tasks. 
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with a team for joint projects or program implementation. 
• Demonstrated experience with managing multiple ongoing projects while successfully completing work assignments in a timely manner.
   

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the organization and function of state and local public health departments, as well as Boards of Health, in Massachusetts.
• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary ranges from $68,000 - $78,000, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued professional development. 

How to Apply: 

Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States.

MAPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our Equity at MAPC page.