Director, Community Engagement and Capacity Building, Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health

Director, Community Engagement and Capacity Building, Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health

Division/Program Summary

Description:

The Center for Health Equity & Community Wellness (CHECW) seeks to eliminate racial and other inequities resulting in premature mortality. With an unwavering grounding in history and structural analysis, CHECW works to increase visibility of the harm perpetuated by centuries of racist, socially unjust policy while pushing towards redress for the most impacted NYC communities. CHECW addresses inequity across community and healthcare systems in partnership with community, faith-based, and health care organizations.

CHECW's work focuses on social determinants of health, including environmental and commercial determinants, and addresses both upstream and downstream factors to improve health and well-being of New Yorkers. CHECW is comprised of the Bureau of Bronx Neighborhood Health, the Bureau of Brooklyn Neighborhood Health, the Bureau of Harlem Neighborhood Health, the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems and the Bureau of Finance and Administrative Services.

The division's Deputy Commissioner also serves as the Agency's Chief Equity Officer and oversees Race to Justice, the Agency's internal reform effort to help our staff learn what they can do to better address racial health gaps and improve health outcomes for all New Yorkers. CHECW will launch a new Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health in 2026 following initial funding for work in Queens.

JOB SUMMARY:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Community Engagement and Capacity Building in the newly- established Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health. This Bureau will contribute to the larger Neighborhood Health Strategy and complement the work of the other Bureaus of Neighborhood Health in Brooklyn, Harlem, and the Bronx. This role will focus on Queens, specifically work led out of a new Jamaica Neighborhood Health Action Center, and will lead efforts to strengthen relationships with community partners, build organizational and community capacity, and ensure that the bureau's programs and initiatives are informed by and responsive to the needs of the communities served.

This role will focus on fostering trust, collaboration, and equity in all engagement efforts, while supporting the bureau's mission to address chronic disease prevention and management. The Director will also oversee the development of training, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives to empower community organizations and stakeholders and ensure that engagement efforts are inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive, addressing the unique needs of diverse communities.

This role will primarily work in Jamaica, Queens; however, the position will be initially assigned to Long Island City, Queens at least one day per week while renovations are underway at the Jamaica location.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Support coordination of internal and external initiatives in Queens, with a focus on Jamaica, including coordination among community partners
• Attend community meetings, e.g. Community Board, neighborhood coalition and other groups to support health initiatives and collaborate on community activities and events. Provide yearly presentation of health status in community districts and train Community Engagement team to conduct similar tailored presentations.
• Develop budgets for CTL and grant funded initiatives, conduct grants management and performance monitoring of vendors and reporting to funders. Lead or participate in grant writing teams, budget proposals and assess human resource needs.
• Implement collaborative community engagement initiative to educate community stakeholders on available resources and activities to decrease chronic diseases
• Work in close collaboration with the Assistant Commissioner, Action Center Manager, and the Program Director (focused on chronic disease) to plan, track, and monitor one time and ongoing Bureau efforts.
• Initiate and spearhead grant applications to secure funding for future Bureau work
• Support internal capacity-building efforts related to monitoring and data management
• Present and report public health data and research findings to community leaders and residents to inform policy initiatives aimed at maintaining and improving the health and safety of New Yorkers across our Action Center neighborhoods
• Assist in development of community-based policy initiatives related to food access, chronic diseases, and other health concerns
• Develop and/or strengthen collaboration among agency and external partners of the health department to improve coordinated service provision and information sharing.
• Develop and improve engagement strategies that reduce access barriers for community residents.
• Supervise and mentor a team of four staff with outreach-oriented roles
• Serve as point person for speaking and presentation opportunities with community partners and media.
• Plan and…