Healthy Homes Program Specialist

Salary : $55,009.50 Annually

Location : Yeadon, PA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 202300199

Department: Health Department - Personal Health Services

Opening Date: 09/05/2024

Summary

The Healthy Homes Program Specialist for the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) is responsible for DCHD's growing healthy home and environmental justice programming, including coordination with the DCHD Personal Health's clinical childhood lead surveillance and education program and DCHD Environmental Health's program. This position will work closely with Delaware County's Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) and nonprofit partners administering federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) healthy homes grants serving county residents. The primary focus of this work will be on residential lead related to childhood lead poisoning, but will also include building outreach and support related to environmental justice concerns in the county.
Essential Duties

Essential Duties:

• Support development of new DCHD programming in the area of healthy homes and environmental justice.
• Understand relevant laws, regulations, professional standards and community services related to residential lead and other environmental health issues.
• Coordinates with families, property owners, community service providers, and contractors to support the identification and remediation of household hazards that are causing or contributing to the public health issues
• Coordinate with DCHD public health lead nurse and conduct follow up discussions with families of children who have tested with elevated blood levels and are considering remediation/mitigation options and provide referrals to services within and outside of DCHD.
• Coordinate with healthcare providers and nonprofit partners for internal and contracted lead services including, but not limited to, lead cleaning services and residential lead inspections.
• Coordinate with partners and support families in obtaining temporary housing, if needed.
• Ensure that all lead-related residential work is in compliance with HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-based Paint Hazards in House (2012 ed,) especially ch. 16: Investigation and Treatment of Dwellings that House Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels.
• On behalf of DCHD, provide preliminary on-site home assessments and guidance on lead poisoning risks and lead-safe cleaning housekeeping protocols.
• Manage referrals to contracted certified lead remediation contractors. Review and evaluate Lead Inspection Reports provided by contracted Certified Lead Risk Assessor. Interpret lead remediation contractor's project proposals. Work with affected families and property owners (landlords and homeowners) to interpret lead assessment reports, contractor proposals, and possible funding programs. Support negotiations for remediation plan reviews in which the property owner, residents, and contractor must agree. May oversee and/or if qualified conduct a lead closure inspection.
• Document and communicate about case to internal and external partners using designated communications and tracking tools.
• Participate in related professional and community groups.
• Make public presentations about the work and DCHD's related programs.
• Perform community outreach and facilitate educational workshops and presentations.
• Produce reports, presentations, and other materials to support internal and external understanding of the program.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals:

The Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals contain 56 competency statements that apply across the public health workforce for all those engaged in the practice of public health. All of the Core Competencies are vital for the effective provision of public health activities. While the person in this position may be called on to demonstrate other Core Competencies, below is a list of the most essential for this position.

1.1.Describes factors that affect the health of a community.

1.4. Analyzes quantitative and qualitative data.

1.5. Manages quantitative and qualitative data.

1.6.Uses quantitative and qualitative data.

2.1. Develops policies, programs, and services.

2.2. Implements policies, programs, and services.

2.3. Evaluates policies, programs, services, and organizational performance.

2.4. Improves policies, programs, services, and organizational performance.

2.5. Influences policies, programs, and services external to the organization.

2.6. Engages in organizational strategic planning.

3.2. Communicates with internal and external audiences.

4.3. Recognizes the diversity of individuals and populations.

4.4. Reduces systemic and structural barriers that perpetuate health inequities.

4.5. Implements organizational policies, programs, and services to achieve health equity and social and environmental justice.

4.7. Advocates for health equity and social and environmental justice.

6.1. Describes systems, policies, and events impacting public health.

6.3. Uses evidence in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services.

6.4. Contributes to the evidence base for improving health.

7.8. Manages programs and services.

7.9. Engages in contingency planning.

7.10. Applies critical thinking in decision making.

7.11. Engages individuals and teams to achieve program and organizational goals.

8.5. Responds to emerging needs.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Associate degree and a minimum of five years of relevant experience in construction, environmental health, community health, or case management.
• Bachelors' degree and a minimum of two years of relevant experience in construction, environmental health, community health, or case management.
• EPA certification in lead work and/or Healthy Home Specialist Credential is highly desirable. Must be willing to obtain at least Lead Project Designer certification.
• Experience with home maintenance a plus
• Problem solving skills
• Experience working with contractors
• Bilingual a strong asset.

• Valid driver's license.

• Required to obtain, at their own expense, three forms of clearance, including PA State Police Criminal History Record Check; PA Child Abuse History; and FBI Criminal History Background Check including finger printing prior to employment.

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination per CDC guidelines submitted before start date.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of cultural competence.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local environmental regulations that are applicable to a local environmental public health.
• Negotiation, persuasion, conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and listening communication skills.
• Project management skills.
• Computer and information technology skills.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work with diverse audiences with sensitivity and cultural competence.
• Ability to work with stressed families that have multiple and serious problems.
• Ability to respond to complex assignments, review and approve project deliverables, and manage short- and long-term projects.
• Ability to set and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to interact appropriately and effectively with a wide range of people.
• Ability to maintain and handle confidential information.
• Ability to follow protocol, procedures, and established guidelines.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and needs.
• Ability to manage a demanding and changing workload.
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic.

Physical Demands:
• Driving
• Hearing
• Keyboarding
• Near visual acuity
• Sitting
• Speaking

The Delaware County Health Department is an equal opportunity employer.

The County of Delaware offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, retirement, life insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Location: Yeadon, PA, US

Posted Date: 11/25/2024