Community Health Worker

ABOUT RED HOOK INITIATIVE (RHI)

Red Hook Initiative (RHI) is a community-based nonprofit working to improve the lives of the more than 6500 residents of Red Hook Houses Brooklyns largest public housing complex. RHI believes that the social change to overcome systemic inequities begins with empowered youth and that change in communities should come from within. In partnership with community adults we nurture young people in Red Hook to be inspired resilient and healthy and to envision themselves as co-creators of their lives community and society.

Red Hook Farms a project of Red Hook Initiative is a youth-centered urban farming and food justice program in Red Hook Brooklyn. We create opportunities for teens to expand their knowledge base develop their leadership skills and positively engage with each other their community and the environment. We operate two urban farm sites and our programs include a youth apprenticeship weekly farm stands a CSA farm share a Garden Club for NYCHA residents and farm visits for Red Hook schools. We strive to improve access to healthy affordable produce for our community on land that we steward with intention and care while nurturing a new generation of green leaders.

Youth development community building and community hiring are at the core of RHIs approach to strengthen Red Hooks future. Our model gives young people and residents the tools resources and opportunities they need to interrupt the systems and barriers that perpetuate historic inequities for the community. Residents lead the way toward a more equitable hopeful future. Over our 20-year history RHIs model and dedicated team have been nationally recognized for its innovative place-based approach to social change.


JOB SUMMARY

RHI seeks a Community Health Worker (CHW) to support the Food as Medicine program. The CHW will oversee program enrollment support with produce pick up and plan workshops and activities for program participants related to community building healthy eating and supporting individuals with chronic illness. The CHW will split their time between RHIs office and the Columbia Street Farm and should be prepared to spend most of the day on their feet and work outdoors in inclement weather as needed. Candidates must be willing to work Saturdays June-November.

The Food as Medicine program provides $25 weekly vouchers for 30 food-insecure and/or chronically ill households in Red Hook to use at the Red Hook Farm Stand June-November. This program was developed in partnership with the Red Hook Community Health Network as a way to increase access to fresh produce fruit and eggs while also reducing the economic burden caused by high food costs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES RESPONSIBILITIES
Food as Medicine Program
Conduct outreach and enrollment for the Food as Medicine program.
Provide ongoing support to Food as Medicine participants throughout the June-November program season by sending weekly reminder texts/calls and managing enrollment and attendance issues.
Maintain program participation and survey records.
Assist with weekly produce pick up at the Columbia Street Farm on Saturdays from 10-2pm (June-November).
Plan engagement opportunities/workshops at the Columbia Street Farm and other neighborhood locations that emphasize healthy eating and healthy lifestyle habits for those with chronic illness.
Support the Community Nutritionist with weekly food demonstrations at the Columbia Street Farm.
Oversee program evaluation survey distribution and yearly reporting for Food as Medicine program.
Food-Related Social Needs
Provide connection and referrals to dietary support programs and resources such as:
Medically tailored meals
Food prescriptions
Fresh produce and non-perishable groceries
Cooking supplies and kitchenware
Collaborate with the Community Nutritionist to schedule 1:1 nutrition counseling sessions for residents.

May be assigned other duties and responsibilities as determined by the Red Hook Community Health Network Manager.

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge Skills & Personal Attributes)
Deep connection to and knowledge of the Red Hook community.
Passionate about health equity and food justice.
Able to work as part of a team yet take initiative and work independently.
Able to work outdoors and in inclement weather and willing to be on their feet for most of the day.
Written and oral fluency in English and Spanish or Mandarin is preferred.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Computer skills and proficiency with Google (specifically Gmail and Google Drive).
Successful completion of a Community Health Worker (CHW) formal training program is preferred. If training hasnt been completed the candidate should be willing to pursue a CHW training supported by partners of the Red Hook Initiative.
Experience supporting others through health-related challenges or reaching health-related goals.
High school graduate or equivalent required.
WORKING CONDITIONS (ENVIRONMENT) & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The RHI work environment is characteristic of a typical indoor office/program environment and the noise level is generally moderate. Time will also be spent at the Red Hook Farm where the employee will be outside and on their feet.
While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of the job the employee will be required to operate a computer and other office equipment.
This job is based on-site at RHIs main program office and the farm in Red Hook Brooklyn. The ideal candidate will either be a resident of Red Hook or one of its neighboring communities or will be within reasonable commuting distance to RHIs main program office.

COMMITMENT TO DEI & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
RHI actively engages individuals from all backgrounds and is committed to embracing diversity across all areas and aspects of the organization. We firmly believe that an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect towards individual differences and embracing an inclusive and equitable environment is indispensable to building a successful organization contributing to a positive and meaningful employment experience for staff and advancing the best possible outcomes for the clients served by RHIs programs. We are also committed to community hiring and supporting the job prospects of Red Hook residents.
As an equal opportunity employer RHI is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race color national origin religion sex sexual orientation gender gender identity and expression disability age marital status military status veteran status pregnancy parental status genetic information or any other characteristic or basis prohibited by applicable law.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
RHI strives to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our core values and commitment to our employees. The salary range for this position is $28/hour to commensurate with an employees or candidates competencies and experience. This position will require work on Saturdays June through November. RHI provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical dental and vision coverage an employee assistance program (EAP) 403b retirement plan flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health dependent and commuter expenses life insurance and 24 PTO days.

TO APPLY