Seasonal Assistant - Board of Health

Job Title: Seasonal Assistant 

Department: Board of Health Department

Contract/Grade: Personnel Policies, Schedule B

Compensation: Hiring range is $15.00 - $27.00. Full pay range $15.00 - $50.00, actual salary dependent upon qualifications.

FLSA Status: Part-time, non-exempt, non-benefit eligible

Number of Openings: 1

Statement of Duties: The Seasonal Assistant will oversee the execution of Duxbury’s Opioid Abatement Settlement Funds strategy. This role will work directly with the Duxbury Opioid Abatement Funds Working Group and will involve planning, stakeholder coordination, program administration and other duties as assigned. The coordinator will ensure that selected opioid abatement strategies are effectively implemented, evaluated, vetted, and sustained. The position reports directly to the Health Agent within the Health Department in Municipal Services and works closely with community partners, Town leadership, and regional organizations.

Supervision Required:   Under general direction of the Health Agent, the employee exercises a high degree of independence in planning and carrying out the responsibilities of the position, including the development and implementation of strategic initiatives. The employee is expected to carry assignments through to completion independently. Work is reviewed for outcomes, alignment, and effectiveness with Town priorities and local regulations.  

Confidentiality: Has access to some confidential information obtained during performance of regular position responsibilities in accordance with the State Public Records Law. 

Accountability: Consequences of errors, missed deadlines or poor judgment may include adverse public relations, monetary loss and jeopardize programs. 

Judgment:   Guidelines may be in the form of administrative or organizational policies, general principles, legislation or directives that pertain to a specific department or functional area. The employee is recognized to assist the functional area’s authority in interpreting the guidelines, in determining how they should be applied, and in making recommendations to improve operating policies, standards, or criteria. 

Complexity:   The work consists of a variety of duties which generally follow standardized practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. The sequence of work and/or the procedures followed vary according to the nature of the transaction and/or the information involved, or sought, in a particular situation. 

Work Environment: The role requires judgment and initiative in analyzing complex situations involving public health and substance use strategies. The employee must navigate a mix of public policy, community engagement, and administrative work. Contact is frequent with the public, local government, social service agencies, regional health organizations, and potential funders. Communication occurs via meetings, phone, email, presentations, and written reports.

Errors in this position could lead to misallocation of funds, missed deadlines, weakened partnerships, noncompliance with grant requirements, and negative community impacts. 

Nature and Purpose of Public Contact: Relationships with the public, groups and/or individuals such as civic leaders, peers from other organizations, or representatives of professional organizations, as well as maintaining social media pages play a key role. The employee serves as a spokesperson for the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance. The employee deals with the public on social media platforms representing the Town to communicate departmental practices, procedures, regulations or guidelines. May be required to discuss controversial matters where tact is required to avoid friction and obtain cooperation. 

Occupational Risk: Duties of the job present little potential for injury. Risk exposure is similar to that found in typical office settings. 

Essential Functions:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. 

•  Develop and manage social media pages to share educational materials and information.
•          Develop and manage implementation of workplans for selected opioid abatement strategies, including timelines, deliverables, and metrics.
•          Coordinate and administer meetings with the Opioid Abatement Working Group.
•          Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, Town departments, coalitions and stakeholders to promote aligned efforts.
•          Implement, organize, and maintain outreach and communications efforts, including materials, events, and media that inform the public and stakeholders about the Opioid Abatement Settlement-funded programs.
•         Prepare reports and presentations for Town boards, leadership, and the public to communicate progress and outcomes.
•         Research and pursue additional funding opportunities (e.g. RIZE grant matching program) to expand and sustain opioid abatement settlement fund initiatives.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: Graduate of a two-year college with an associate’s degree with one to three (1-3) years’ related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Public Health, Public Administration, Social Work, or a related field preferred.                 

Special Requirements:   Must have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and pass a CORI and background check. 

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:

Knowledge: Knowledge of public health principles, Opioid use disorder, the Massachusetts State-Subdivision Agreement for Statewide Opioid Settlements, and community level intervention strategies. Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills. The ability to work independently and collaboratively across sectors. Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.  Common policies, practices and procedures of the department and office operations; laws and regulations pertinent to position functions.

Ability:  Ability to interact in a positive and effective manner with people at all levels of society, particularly those affected by opioid use disorder;  ability to communicate orally in a clear, and concise manner;  ability to receive, understand, and execute oral, and written instructions;  ability to maintain detailed, accurate records, and to prepare written and oral reports. The ability to relate to the public in a comfortable fashion with genuine interest, compassion and concern for their needs and feelings.

Skill: Knowledge and demonstrated usage of personal computers, particularly word processing and spreadsheet applications; excellent public relations skills.

 Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions. 

Physical Demands: Little or no physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting and standing to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment and computer paper. 

Motor Skills: Duties may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination. Examples include using a computer.

 Visual Demands: Visual demands require the employee to constantly read documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes.

Additional Information: This is a grant funded position tied to the duration of opioid settlement funding. Continuation beyond the funding period is not guaranteed.