Job Description

Program Specialist

  • 522382
  • PHOENIX
  • REMOTE OPTIONS
  • AHCCCS
  • Full-time

AACOIHC

The Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care (AACOIHC) is driven by its mission to advocate for increasing access to high quality health care programs for all American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in Arizona.

The AACOIHC was established by A.R.S. 36-2902.01 to give tribal governments, tribal organizations and urban Indian health care organizations representation in shaping Medicaid and health care policies and laws that impact indigenous peoples in Arizona. The AACOIHC, utilizes its knowledge of Indian health systems, tribal sovereignty, common chronic health conditions and disparities, and health policy to serve as a resource for Tribal governments and the State of Arizona, and supports prevention, training, education, and policy development as the keys to meeting the unique health care needs of indigenous peoples. The AACOIHC strives to be the premier resource for Tribes and Urban Indians in Arizona on health care.

Come join our dynamic and dedicated team!

Program Specialist

Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care (AACOIHC)

Job Location:

Address: 801 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034

Posting Details:

Salary: $50,000 - $55,000

Grade: 21

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Job Summary:

This position may not continue beyond the duration of the available funding for the CDC Health Disparities grant. The grant is slated to end May 31, 2024.

The Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care is looking for a highly motivated individual to join our team as a Program Specialist. Reporting to the Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care (AACOIHC) Grant Manager, the Program Specialist (PS) is a grant funded position that assists in the grant deliverables with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Disparities grant. The national initiative will address COVID-19 health disparities among populations at high-risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities. This position may not continue beyond the duration of the available funding for the CDC Health Disparities grant.

The PS will work closely with Tribes and tribal organizations to address COVID-19-related health disparities and advance health equity by expanding tribal and tribal communities capacity and services to prevent and control COVID-19 infection (or transmission). This position has the potential to work in a Virtual Office (VO) setting or may Telecommute based on the needs of the unit and at the discretion of leadership.

The PS position will function as part of a team implementing the following 3 CDC strategies for combating COVID-19 amongst high-risk and underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities: (1) Expand existing and/or develop new mitigation and prevention resources and services to reduce COVID-19 related disparities among populations at higher risk and that are underserved. (2) Increase/Improve data collection and reporting for populations experiencing a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infection, severe illness, and death to guide the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (3) Build, leverage, and expand infrastructure support for COVID-19 prevention and control among populations that are at higher risk and under-served.

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
* Best Practices: Identifies pandemic best practices and assists in the development of a COVID-19 resource repository (website) that houses tools partners have created so it is easily accessible. This will include the compiling and posting of a pandemic prevention toolkit.
* Information Sharing: Assists in the collection and dissemination of information on pandemic preparedness to the Tribes on a regular basis. This will include holding and participating in coalition meetings, and being able to successfully set up and conduct meetings in both in-person and virtual environments. Providing technical assistance as needed.
* Data Methodologies and Reporting: Assists in the creation of an online handbook of data methodologies and reporting, including best practices, policies and procedures that will assist in COVID-19 mitigation, so as to increase/improve data collecting for populations disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
* Reporting: Summarizes materials and data, composing reports on pandemic preparedness, best practices, barriers, and available materials in the pandemic toolkits for tribal communities.
* Materials Creation: The development of tribal culturally relevant information flyers, templates, trainings, and videos on pandemic preparedness as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge:
* Understanding of pandemics, basic virology, and best practices for combating pandemics successfully
* Understanding of healthcare disparities, social determinants of health, and the CDC’s health disparities grant
* Policies, procedures and programs of tribal health care delivery systems, public health systems, and emergency response systems and how they interact with state and federal systems
* Policies, procedures and programs of tribal health care delivery systems, public health systems, and emergency response systems and how they interact with state and federal systems
* Methods and proper preparation of reports
* Native American cultures and tribal sovereignty laws and policies

Skills:
* Use of online virtual meeting platforms
* Strong writing and editing skills
* Effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication applicable to the coordination of diverse stakeholder groups
* Experience creating/writing informational/training materials and creating educational packets based on existing materials
* Previous experience creating a website layout
* Computer Skills, including experience with Google Suite and Microsoft Products
* Strong research skills
* Summarize data and compose reports

Abilities:
* Work independently as a team member
* Manage multiple tasks within a dynamic work environment, prioritizing tasks to ensure timelines are met
* Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships

Qualifications:

Minimum:
* 2 years of experience working with Tribes, Urban Indian Health Programs, or IHS.

Preferred:
* Bachelor's degree in public health, health education, health care administration, epidemiology, biology, or other related degree.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

* Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify), applicable to all newly hired State employees.

* Successfully pass fingerprint background check, prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
* 10 paid holidays per year
* Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
* Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
* Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
* A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
* A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
* Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
* RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
* A variety of learning and career development opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
* Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
* Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
* Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
* Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).

Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
* Voluntary participation.
* Program administered through Nationwide.
* Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.

Contact Us:

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing careers@azahcccs.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

Application Instructions

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