Community Relations Specialist

Gold Coast Health Plan will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

The pay range above represents the minimum and maximum rate for this position in California. Factors that may be used to determine where newly hired employees will be placed in the pay range include the employee specific skills and qualifications, relevant years of experience and comparison to other employees already in this role. Most often, a newly hired employee will be placed below the midpoint of the range. Salary range will vary for remote positions outside of California and future increases will be based on the pay band for the city and state you reside in.

POSITION SUMMARY

Gold Coast Health Plan seeks an enthusiastic and collaborative individual to join our Strategy and External Affairs team. The Community Relations Specialist functions as a representative and ambassador for Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) in the community. Under the guidance of the Community Relations Manager, the Community Relations Specialist is responsible for planning and coordinating community outreach activities, including town hall meetings, quarterly stakeholder meetings, and educational seminars. The Community Relations Specialist serves as a knowledgeable resource about GCHP’s programs and services and will represent the organization at various events within the community. The ideal candidate for this role is a relationship builder, working as a real-time problem solver for GCHP members and community stakeholders.  A flexible work schedule supports the requirement to participate in evening and weekend community events. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as training and experience progresses.

Amount of Travel Required:  25-50%

Work Schedule Travel: work protracted or unusual work hours and evening meetings, or irregular hours for attendance at meetings for special projects or programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statements

•    Serves as GCHP’s representative for community organizations.

•    Plans, coordinates and evaluates community relations projects, activities and events. Specific activities include developing project work plans and budgets; scheduling and facilitating planning meetings; and coordinating logistics.

•    Actively participate as a representative of GCHP in assigned community meetings, collaborative, committees, and coalitions to develop and enhance community partnerships.

•    Attends health and community fairs and health promotion events.

•    Coordinates and executes health fairs in partnership with community-based organizations, provider systems, and GCHP sponsored health fairs.

•    Works in partnership with other internal departments to maintain positive stakeholder relationships, cultivate support for GCHP’s programs and generate leads for outreach and enrollment staff.    

•    Communicates major community developments and issues to senior management and other internal departments.

•    Ensures key messages related to GCHP’s programs and policy issues are clearly communicated to external stakeholders.

•    Conducts presentations for community-based organizations to increase awareness about GCHP’s programs and services.

•    Possesses cultural sensitivity and knowledge regarding the diversity of the populations GCHP serves.

•    Implements community programs with the purpose to (1) providing meaningful programs for community residents, (2) strengthening corporate commitment to the community, (3) building community coalitions, and (4) promoting GCHP. 

•    Develops relationships with community-based organizations to secure opportunities to promote GCHP to the constituencies of these organizations and government offices. 

•    Develops and fosters strong partnerships with healthcare providers and community associations. 

•    Perform such other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

•    Develop rapport, establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with internal and external contacts at all levels and from varying cultural and ethnic backgrounds.    

•    Develop and deliver presentations, as well as interpret, explain, or consult about the complexities of health care programs. 

•    Think and communicate clearly.  Ability to formulate a clear point of view and create a conscious and well written narrative to be able to express it. 

•    Work independently, with team members and to manage multiple projects with deadlines using effective time management and project planning skills.

•    Motivate and lead multi-program teams and external committees/coalitions.

•    Pay attention to detail and work under pressure.

•    To cultivate and build positive relationships with internal and external clients.

•    Provide exceptional customer service.

•    Prepare written reports and maintain accurate records. 

•    Work with internal staff to resolve problems/analyze complex situations as quickly and efficiently as possible.

•    May be requested to speak, understand, read and/or write in English and GCHP’s defined threshold languages for assignment to specific constituencies.

•    Effectively utilize computer and appropriate software (i.e. Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

•    Willing to travel locally as needed (evenings/weekends/overnight).

Competency Statements

•    Persuasive - Ability to influence others to change position or to adopt a specific point of view.

•    Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.

•    Presentation Skills - Ability to effectively present information publicly.

•    Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers’ needs while following company procedures.

•    Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.

•    Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.

•    Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.

•    Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.

•    Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education:    

•    High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED): Required

•    Bachelor's Degree (four year college or technical school) Required, Field of Study: community health, public affairs, public administration or related field

•    Master's Degree Preferred, Field of Study: community health, public affairs, public administration or related field

Experience:    

•    At least three years of experience in community health, public relations, or community-based organizations, including planning and organizing. 

•    Experience in presenting to key stakeholders is preferred.

•    Bilingual in English and in Spanish is required.

Computer Skills:    Advanced proficiency of programs included in the MS Office products.

Certifications & Licenses: A valid California Driver's License and current insurance is required.

Other Requirements:

•    Cultural and linguistic sensitivities.

•    Managed care, Medi-Cal, Medicare and community engagement.

•    Community health program development, implementation and evaluation a plus.