Organization’s Mission and Commitment to Health Equity:

The mission of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) is “Serving Humanity to Honor God” by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church. The Board of Directors approved a strategic plan in October 2019 that places health equity at the center of the work MHM wants to do. The Board of Directors approved the following statement:

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. believes that to improve the wellness of the least served and fully live out its mission of “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” it must recognize the inequities inherent in its communities that contribute to poor health outcomes. Health Equity is both the process and goal by which Methodist Healthcare Ministries seeks to carry out that purpose. Health Equity is a framework of thought and action that strives to reduce racial and socio-economic disparities and create fair and just opportunity for every person to reach their full potential for health and life and contribute to that of others.

Expected to work at the local level on projects and programs that develop community relations and help communities advance public policy change.

Essential Duties:

• Develop strategies to build coalitions aimed at growing grassroots efforts, and mobilizing local communities to affect policy change
• Convene, facilitate and participate in meetings with government officials, public agencies, and local advocacy organizations, community stakeholders as determined beneficial to MHM’s mission to address health inequity with a focus on public policies that impact social determinants of health
• Manage high level strategic partnerships which position and align MHM to local health systems, local health associations and networks, as well as non-profit community providers
• Design and conduct advocacy training for internal staff and community organizations to strengthen public policy support and awareness on initiatives impacting MHM’s service area
• Lead on analysis of proposed local policy initiatives, determine potential impact on the organization and populations served by MHM and develop strategic proposals and responses to maximize community benefit
• Responsible for outlining, implementing, and managing high level strategic partnerships which position and align MHM with local health systems and networks, as well as non-profit community providers and advocates.
• Strengthen and maintain relationships with elected officials at the local level, public agency officials and executives, healthcare staff personnel, business and community leaders/associations to capture, document, and influence key and critical regional policy and advocacy issues.
• Utilizes experience and knowledge in public policy and advocacy to educate and engage MHM leadership and MHM collaborative partners on public policy research, national, regional and local health care issues and challenges.
• Assist with implementing key policy and advocacy strategies and manage the policy agenda, with a focus on building local association partners and engagement strategies
• Develop and facilitate content for website, newsletters, social media and print materials in partnership with MHM Communications team to drive communications on public health and social policy with a focus on social disparities and health equity
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

A minimum of three years supervisory experience is required. Directly supervises staff in their respected department in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, developing, and recognizing employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; scheduling and approving timesheets; appraising performance; ensuring safety compliance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education/Experience:

Master’s degree in Public Health, Public Policy, Health Care Administration or social/behavioral related fields required. Must have 5 years’ experience in public policy and advocacy at local and state levels, with an emphasis on state healthcare delivery systems, public health or related fields required.

Must have superior conceptual, analytical, change management, and organizational skills. Must be able to convene, facilitate and coordinate strategic activities that require cross-functions. Must have skills and experience with superior relationship development and ability to engage with internal and external constituents.

Working knowledge and experience of strategic planning, building teams, working with external stakeholders and developing plans of action, setting accountabilities and timelines and monitoring and evaluation processes is highly preferred.

Experience working on behalf of underserved populations and/or with specifically addressing disparities that impact health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities is strongly preferred.

This position requires the ability and experience to interact comfortably and professionally with MHM board members and team members including senior leaders, as well as with senior-level team members of other organizations across sectors including grassroots organizations as well as with community leaders and community members.

Language Ability:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret health status and policy reports, publications, professional journals, and governmental regulations. Ability to interpret policy positions and prepare MHM’s policy position via white papers and presentations. Ability to speak effectively and respond to questions from diverse audiences. Fluent in English; Spanish bilingual preferred.

Reasoning Ability:

Must have critical thinking skills and able to define problems collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Must be able to analyze and interpret an extensive variety of local, state and federal public policies and comprehend implications for populations served by MHM.

Certificates and Licenses:

None

Computer Skills:

Demonstrates working knowledge of the Internet, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, develop spreadsheets and complex reports.

Other:

Passion to create change that leads to better lives and healthier communities.

Capacity to adapt rapidly to changing priorities, objectives, and situations.

Experience to manage relationships to improve internal organizational relations and build teams externally to achieve common purpose.

Ability to develop leaders within MHM to achieve goals.

Ability to work in a changing environment and as part of a team, taking on tasks at all levels.

Must be able to drive and have access to a vehicle; maintain valid driver’s license and auto liability insurance.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is exposed to an office environment and community settings having direct contact with people on a regular basis. Position may necessitate bending, stooping, twisting, turning, walking, sitting and standing for periods of time. Must be able to lift and maneuver up to 25 pounds. Must be available to travel at least 40-60% of the time as job duties require, depending on biennial state legislative sessions, including overnight stays. Must work some evenings, weekends and holidays as job duties may require, depending on biennial state legislative sessions.