A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to the work described for this position.

The Michigan Community Engagement Alliance (MICEAL) is seeking to hire a 0.5 FTE (20 hours/week) term-limited (18 months) Research Area Specialist Associate who will manage the Detroit-based implementation and oversight of Health Impact 360, a group-based cardiovascular health promotion program for adults. This Specialist Associate will be a member of a larger clinical trial team composed of academic and community partners from across the state of Michigan who are working together to design, implement, and evaluate the program. Key features of the 20-week health promotion program include: (1) group-based physical activity via bi-weekly walking groups, (2) a series of hands-on skill-building sessions related to food preparation and nutrition, and (3) group sessions that provide social support and capacity building for practicing healthy habits and engaging in health-related leadership and advocacy. 

About the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education

The position will be based in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Equity (HBHE) at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Driven by a shared passion for affecting lasting change, the faculty, students, and staff of HBHE work in the pursuit of an equitable, healthy future for all. Turning theory and research into actionable practice, we develop interventions and innovations that promote health, prevent disease, empower people to manage chronic illness and disabilities, and facilitate collective action for social change. Together, our academic community transforms the theoretical into actionable, the science into the social, applying our knowledge to eliminate health disparities and impact lives for the better.

The Research Area Specialist Associate will work with both community-based organization (CBO) staff and university staff to: 

• Oversee the recruitment and training of a team of 6-10 Community Health Workers (CHWs) to implement HI360 groups across 3 sites in Southwest and Eastside Detroit, Oversee the recruitment of program participants and support trial enrollment via coordination of study promotion and enrollment events, 
• Coordinate the organization of enrolled participants into site-based teams of 10-15 people, 
• Support CHWs in their identification of a team meeting schedule that meets program integrity standards but is tailored to the group's availability, 
• Coordinates with local agencies to have representatives present at applicable sessions, 
• Monitors implementation via accurate and timely documentation of session implementation and attendance by site, and 
• Supports CHWs in their role via team meetings to share strategies and support consistency of the curriculum across sites and teams. This role necessitates in-person engagement with staff and participants across all Detroit sites, including attendance at a portion of group sessions. .

• Bilingual (Spanish-English) speaker.
• A minimum of a 4 year undergraduate degree plus 1-3 years of related professional experience in public health, health promotion, community organizing, or related areas. 
• Experience working with multicultural communities, including familiarity with Detroit communities.
• Experience designing, implementing, and/or evaluating health promotion programs or interventions.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, including a record of professionalism, teamwork, self-initiative, attention to detail, and preparation/provision of written and verbal reports.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, Google suite products, and mobile technology including use of an electronic tablet or laptop.
• Candidate must have their own transportation.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

This is a hybrid position located in Detroit.  There will be occasional required meetings in Ann Arbor, not expected to be more than once a month, and a requirement to be present in-person at community events and community-based organization sites in line with the job's responsibilities as the trial progresses.

This is a 50% term-limited appointment  (17 months November 2024 - March 2026 equivalent to a $44,200 - $54,600 full time salary).

*We are seeking an experienced and dynamic person who has a commitment to health equity and a passion for community work. 

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.