Project Director, Environmental Health Department

Health Resources in Action (HRiA) is a nonprofit, public health and medical research funding organization committed to helping people live healthier lives and creating healthy communities through prevention, health promotion, policy and research.

Position Overview: 

HRiA seeks a highly motivated, talented, and dynamic individual to lead two coalitions - one in Boston and the other a Massachusetts-wide partnership - aimed to reduce the rising prevalence of asthma within vulnerable populations, and to promote healthy homes, schools and places. Working with a diverse group of residents, community-based organizations, government agencies, medical professionals, and other individuals, the Program Director will work and build on current campaigns, promote leadership development, broader involvement, promote an advocacy agenda, provide technical assistance and other duties to help meet the goals of the coalitions, and maintain a diverse funding base to support this work.

Responsibilities:

Programmatic:

• Provide leadership, program development, and program management for projects and initiatives.
• Work with Steering Committees and subcommittees to develop and implement programmatic and policy directions, including, but not limited to: communication, education and outreach strategies, research projects, policy and advocacy efforts, coordination of local and statewide meetings, evaluation, and other activities as needed.
• Lead program administration efforts, including strategic planning, managing grants, building and maintaining strong communication with diverse stakeholders, and meeting all reporting requirements for funders.

Management & Supervision:

• Recruit, supervise, and manage staff, interns, and any other personnel hired to assist with projects and events.
• Conduct staff performance reviews annually.
• Develop and support staff and interns in attaining professional development goals.

Budget & Finance:

• Work with Director of Environmental Health to develop, manage, and track applicable funding.
• Identify opportunities for maintaining and/or expanding funding base through grants, donations, and other funding sources.
• Research and write grant proposals for applicable projects and activities.

Internal & External Relations:

• Develop, engage, and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to: coalition members (including, parents and other community residents, local community-based organizations, medical community, faith community, government and elected officials (local, state and federal), academia, housing, school, local residents, and other critical partners), funders and others.
• Work with staff to develop and implement plans for engaging key community leaders including parents and other community and statewide agencies.
• Develop and maintain coalitions' websites (to be linked to HRiA), and manage media relations including publicity and promotion.
• All other tasks and duties as needed.

Qualifications: 

Minimum qualifications:

• At least 7 years experience in a leadership role in public health, environmental health, public policy, or other relevant field. Senior management experience, a plus.
• Demonstrated experience, skill, and track record in community planning, outreach, community and parent organizing, coalition development and collaboration, and project implementation.
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to motivate individuals to develop priorities and effectively implement strategies to address priorities.
• Experience in effectively managing and supervising full and part time staff and volunteers.
• Strong organizational development, fundraising, fiscal management, problem-solving, and facilitation skills.
• Experience in effective advocacy and policy development leading to systems change.
• Experience in working in a multicultural environment.
• A personal commitment and experience with promoting social justice and addressing health disparities and effecting change in low income and diverse communities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytic and computer skills.
• Demonstrated networking and partnership-building skills including experience working with the media.
• Must be highly organized, motivated, and able to work well independently and in a team setting.
• Knowledge base of Boston and its neighborhoods and Massachusetts is desirable.
• Ability to speak and/or write in more than one language is a plus (preferably Spanish).
• Ability to work as needed in the evening and on weekends.
• Bachelors degree (Master's degree a plus) and

Diversity in organizational practice is a core value of HRiA resulting in culturally competent services, materials, resources, and programs. Our hiring and business practices are informed by an appreciation of the strengths offered by differing cultures, races, religions, ethnicities, classes, sexual orientation, physical capacities, and age groups. HRiA offers an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental and life insurance, retirement plan, tax-deferred annuity and generous vacation.

This job description is intended to indicate the kinds of work duties that will be required in this position. It is not intended to limit, or in any way modify, the rights of any supervisor to assign, direct, and contract work of staff under his/her supervision. The use of a particular illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties, not mentioned, that are of a similar level or difficulty.  

Closing date: 11/30/09

To Apply:

Qualified candidates should please submit by email and send a resume with cover letter and salary requirements. Please write Environmental Health in the subject line of your email. No phone calls please.