Jobs @ HPDP

Program Overview

The NC Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute (TraCS) and the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) have received funding to launch a two year pilot project, Community Leadership and Reciprocal Development: Advancing Community-Engaged Research at Two CTSA Institutions, in collaboration with the Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (VICTR). The goal of the pilot is to expand and accelerate both CTSAs’ capacity to advance community-engaged research, first by drawing on the expertise of existing community partners working with our respective institutions, and, second, by initiating a cross-CTSA partnership to share expertise, develop resources, and disseminate new knowledge and approaches. Activities conducted will be tailored to be responsive to faculty and community experts at our respective institutions. The UNC partnership will focus on the development, implementation and evaluation of activities that provide education and guidance in the principles and advantages of community-based participatory research, emphasizing co-learning between communities and academic partners, power sharing, and co-ownership of the products and processes of the research.

The project, which will begin in October 2009, will involve the following components:

• hiring a Community Research Fellow experienced in community-based participatory research (CBPR) to co-lead community engagement activities
• developing a pool of community experts as paid co-leaders to provide training and technical assistance that advances the adoption and successful implementation of CBPR
• developing, implementing and evaluating models of facilitated guidance sessions for investigators or community partners who express interest in developing or enhancing community-engaged research
• developing and implementing training in community-engaged research topics
• developing communication strategies that promote cycles of exchange between the two programs at UNC and Vanderbilt
• sharing methods and findings with other CTSA institutions

Position Summary

The Community Research Fellow (CRF) is a half-time position based at the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute (NC TraCS). In collaboration with the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP), a CDC-funded Prevention Research Center, the NC TraCS Community Engagement Core engages communities, faculty, and health care providers as partners in clinical and translational research to transform the way that academic investigators and community members work together to improve the health of residents of our state. HPDP addresses pressing health problems by collaborating with communities to conduct research, provide training, and translate research findings into policy and practice.

The Fellow will work under the guidance of the NC TraCS Community Engagement Core Director and HPDP Director. S/he will have office space at the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and will be expected to work out of this office at least two days a week. S/he will design and lead CBPR development activities in coordination with HPDP’s Assistant Director for Community-Based Participatory Research, who is also a staff member of the Community Engagement Core. The Fellow will work closely with TraCS Community Engagement Core (CEC) staff members, other UNC faculty and staff, community partners, and faculty and staff involved in the parallel program in development at Vanderbilt.

Responsibilities of the Community Research Fellow include:

• Development of a process to recruit and train a pool of community experts who can be called on for facilitating community engagement skill building through “guidance sessions,” also known as CBPR Charrettes, and training modules
• Assisting with the design, planning and facilitation of tailored CBPR Charrettes (6 per year) for investigators interested in community engaged research
• Assisting with the development and implementation of training modules for academic and community partners (4 workshops per year)
• Planning and maintaining communication strategies to facilitate partnership and exchange with Vanderbilt program
• Scheduling reciprocal site visits in coordination with Vanderbilt Community Navigator
• Assisting with developing plan to disseminate findings and share methods with other partners interested in community engagement

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The Community Research Fellow should have a minimum of two years experience in community-based participatory research (CBPR) and a bachelor’s degree. Candidates who do not have a bachelor’s degree would be expected to have equivalent additional experience in CBPR. The following knowledge, skills and abilities are also essential for this position.

• Familiarity with public health research (especially as relates to social determinants of health and health disparities)
• Demonstrated experience as an effective team member working with both academic and community partners on a CBPR project
• Ability to transfer skills to both community and faculty
• Experience designing, leading and facilitating meetings and/or workshops
• Proven ability to work independently and be detail-oriented
• Outstanding administrative skills, including organizational planning and development
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal and interpersonal)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and email software required. Proficiency with other software applications (e.g., Excel, Access, PowerPoint) will be considered a plus.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and work well under pressure

Approximate Salary Range

This is a half-time State position. The salary range for .5 FTE is $20,000-$25,000 and will be based on the candidate’s experience. Because it is a half-time position, it is not eligible for health or retirement benefits.

Applications

Interested candidates should provide a resume, cover letter detailing experience in CBPR and required skills, and the names and contact information of three references, including at least one academic and one community partner. Applications may be sent through email or the US Postal Service.

Questions? Contact:

Alexandra Lightfoot
Assistant Director for Community-Based Participatory Research
Email: aflight@email.unc.edu

Please submit applications by November 13 to:

Vondra H. Jones, Human Resources Manager
NC TraCS Institute
UNC-Chapel Hill
Campus Box 7064
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7426
Email: vondraj@med.unc.edu