Health Coordinator, Harlem GEMS

In 2005, as a direct response to the public health crisis of obesity in our youth, HCZ created an effort called the Healthy Living Initiative (HLI) to encourage our students and their families to incorporate healthy food choices and physical activity into their daily lives. In the years since then, we have sought to deepen our work in this area and have developed a strategic program model and growth plan called Healthy Harlem (HH), which consists of best practices in physical activity, nutrition education, and community support. Like HLI, this program is designed to instill a culture of healthy living throughout the Zone but is more expansive and strategically focused in the way we reach youth in our programs, their parents and care givers, and the community at-large. Our layered approach provides the general youth population and their families with nutrition education, increased access to fresh produce, and opportunities for physical activity. In addition to these services, at-risk youth and their families receive intensive support around nutrition and physical activity and links and referrals to professional health care providers.

We are seeking a Health Coordinator to lead the Healthy Harlem initiative at HCZ's Harlem Gems pre-kindergarten programs. The Health Coordinator will be responsible for managing and administering Healthy Harlem program services and coordinating program evaluation. This position reports to the Healthy Harlem Early Childhood Program Manager and Directors at their respective Pre-K program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement and manage all Healthy Harlem programs, including effective delivery of nutrition education and physical activity programming, parent programming, and behavior modification programming
• Hire and manage staff implementing Healthy Harlem programs
• Partner and coordinate with site staff to ensure accurate tracking and evaluation data and case management support of program participants
• Engage and train site staff in healthy eating/active living practices
• Attend regular trainings with other Health Coordinators to share best practices
• Establish and maintain collaborations with relevant community organizations, schools, and parents
• Support the Site Director with tracking and assessing of healthy eating and active living programs and their progress
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification, Skills and Knowledge Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Recreation, Exercise Physiology, or a related field; ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in one of these fields and supervisory experience
• Must be knowledgeable about nutrition, physical fitness, and wellness concepts
• Familiar with the emotional, social, and mental aspects of a healthy lifestyle, including the safety and overall well-being of individuals engaged in healthy eating/active living programs
• Experience working in early childhood and with parents
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Outlook
• Ability to work on a team and individually
• Comfortable working with outside community organizations and contracted program providers
• Awareness of and sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of populations served

We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. To be considered, interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. No telephone inquiries or recruiters please. Replies will only be sent to qualified applicants. HCZ is an EOE.