Health Equity Partnership & Communications VISTA

What is AmeriCorps VISTA?

AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 50 years.

About the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) AmeriCorps VISTA Public Health Partnership Project:

The Oregon Health Authority AmeriCorps VISTA Partnership Project aims to alleviate, prevent, and reduce poverty by engaging public health professionals in a year of full-time service in major public health organizations to create or expand public health systems capacity. We reduce poverty by building sustainable public health programs and systems that ensure health equity, community resiliency and improved health outcomes.

OHA AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full-time, forty hours per week in a capacity building role in statewide organizations, local public health departments, Tribal governments, or non-profits across the state of Oregon. Work is done in an indirect service and capacity building role in a professional office setting and there are many opportunities for training and professional development. AmeriCorps members at OHA focus their efforts on building the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that improve public health services.

This position joins Oregon Health Authority’s statewide AmeriCorps VISTA team. In addition to activities at your individual site, members receive additional orientation, training throughout the year, team meetings, and the support of the team leaders and project director based at the state public health agency. Professional development opportunities include conferences, training about social determinants of health, equity, cross-sector partnership, and mentorship. For more information about the Oregon Health Authority AmeriCorps VISTA Partnership Project, visit: http://healthoregon.org/vista.

Selections are made on a rolling basis and early applications are strongly encouraged. The last day to submit an application is June 12, 2024.

About this position:

The member will elevate/amplify community wisdom and experience to policy makers. You will identify, support and engage community-based partners (CBOs) who work on public health priorities and Oregon’s State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) from the Office of the State Public Health Director within the Oregon Health Authority.

In this role, the AmeriCorps VISTA member will:

1. Support communications for OHA and CBO partners
2. Engage with partners to identify and provide culturally appropriate technical assistance for CBOs and LPHAs.
3. Collaborate with staff to build cross-sector partnerships and build internal knowledge.
4. Facilitate and evaluate trainings and community health education for community partners.

Work can be entirely remote, in the Portland office, or hybrid.

Qualifications of a successful AmeriCorps VISTA member in this role:

• The member must demonstrate commitment to anti-racist practices and health equity.
• They must be comfortable connecting with new people and identifying opportunities for change.
• This requires someone who is a self-starter, can work independently, and enjoys being on a team.
• Lived experience is valued and being bilingual is desired

About Portland Oregon:

Portland is Oregon’s cultural center. It is dense with independent movie theaters and art galleries. The exceptional public transit system makes it easy to get around the city without a car, whether you’re visiting a food cart pod or a public park.

With the innovative and equity driven work happening in Oregon, the state's Public Health Division in Portland is a wonderful place to explore a future in public health.