Public Health AmeriCorps Mississippi II Service Member
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Position Name: NACDD Public Health AmeriCorps Mississippi II Service Member
Position Type/Hours: Three Quarter Time/1200 hours
Service Location: Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Community Health Improvement
715 S. Pear Orchard Rd. Suite 100, Plaza I, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Living Allowance: $7,144.00
Education Award: $5,176.50
Total Award: $12,320.50
PROGRAM PURPOSE:
The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is a national public health non-profit agency focused on improving the health of the public by strengthening state and national leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and control. NACDD’s core membership is composed of the 59 State and Territorial Health Department Chronic Disease Directors and their staff who protect the health of the public through primary and secondary prevention efforts and work “upstream” on root causes of chronic conditions. NACDD promotes health and reduces the burden of chronic disease through various programs and initiatives in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity and the Division of Population Health, and a team of nationally recognized experts.
To enhance public health resources across the country and support state and local public health settings respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) program supports the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders. In partnership with State Health Departments, local health departments, other community-based organizations, and/or local YMCAs or YMCA State Alliances, Service Members will be placed across twenty states to advance existing efforts around food and nutrition security, safe physical activity access, social connectedness, and health equity, all within the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SPECIFIC SERVICE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The PHA Service Member will support the Office of Community Health Improvement, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, as it relates to the implementation of policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies to reduce disparities related to physical activity and social connectedness throughout the state. They are responsible for providing programmatic support and will report directly to the Office Director. The Service Member will assist in all access to physical activity and social connectedness initiatives at a state and community-level by working alongside the Office Director and division staff to support safe and equitable physical activity changes that demonstrate walkability/movability or increased safety. Another priority for physical activity will be working with regional staff and community partners to implement complete street policies and walkability actions throughout the state of Mississippi. A priority for social connectedness will be to engage with healthy aging staff to develop and/or expand intergenerational activities. The PHA Service Member will also:
Participate in partner meetings to discuss access to physical activity and social connectedness initiatives throughout the state of Mississippi.
Plan and assist in re-engagement of Mississippians for Complete Streets committee and policy adoptions with local municipalities.
Provide technical assistance and resources related to access to physical activity and social connectedness to state and community-level partners.
Establish and maintain community-level partnerships.
Conduct community assessments to identify needs and assets related to physical activity and social connectedness
Work with local state agencies, early care and education centers and organizations to coordinate systems that enhance opportunities for physical activity
Support and assist with the development of parks, recreational facilities, and other public spaces that encourage physical activity
Provide training and technical assistance to local state agencies, community organizations, early care and education centers and stakeholders on PSE strategies
Assist Office Director with programmatic and evaluation reporting.
DESCRIPTION OF ANTICIPATED SERVICE SCHEDULE:
Hybrid service hours (75% onsite, 25% teleservice)
Service hours are to be completed Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm CT time.
A maximum of 20% of service hours may be training, education, or other similar approved activities
A maximum of 10% of service hours may be fundraising activities
DESIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
Attention to detail
Verbal and written communication skills
Partnership building skills
NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE
NACDD provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, gender identity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, reprisal, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status, pregnancy, or submission of a complaint.
REQUIRED COMMITMENT
Service members are expected to complete 1200 service hours within a one (1) year timeframe.
The service year begins 09/30/2024 and ends 09/29/2025
ORIENTATION AND TRAINING
Members must participate in
Pre-service orientation
PHA-specific training
Program-specific training
Any other trainings deemed necessary by the Host Site supervisor
Note: Trainings will be limited to 20% or less of PHA Service Members service hours
EVALUATION AND REPORTING
PHA Service Members will:
Complete quarterly assessments of the PHA Program to include their Host Site experience, trainings, sense of belongingness and inclusivity, interest in pursuing a career in public health, etc.
Complete monthly reflection forms
Participate in quarterly performance evaluation and reviews with their Host Site supervisor
Be required to submit service timesheets biweekly
PUBLIC HEALTH AMERICORPS ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS
PHA Service Members must:
Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of service
Have a high diploma or its equivalent
Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria pursuant to 45 CFR 2540.202
Live within commutable distance of the Host Site to accommodate a hybrid service schedule
OTHER PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS
Required: Must be willing to comply with all Host Site vaccination requirements, including for COVID-19
Required: Must complete all agency onboarding requirements, including HealthStream and HIPAA trainings
Preferred: Upper level (3rd or 4th year) undergraduate student or graduate level student enrolled at a college or university pursuing a public health degree or related degree
PUBLIC HEALTH AMERICORPS PROGRAM BENEFITS
Living allowance of $7,144.00 over the course of the term of service
$5,176.50 Segal Education Award at the end of a successful service term
Student loan deferment and interest forbearance
Increased professional awareness and accumulated real-world experience to enhance job competence following completion of service year
Join a network of like-minded leaders who are passionate about improving communities and the health and wellbeing of community members
HOW TO APPLY
Submit Your Application by 8/30/24: Complete and submit the NACDD Public Health AmeriCorps Program Application through the following Smartsheet link:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/766fd3822c5942aa909458fef11dd12a
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tierney Thomison, Public Health AmeriCorps Program Manager, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (tthomison@chronicdisease.org) and Chelsea Cole, Public Health AmeriCorps Senior Program Coordinator (ccole@chronicdisease.org)