Healthy Housing Policy and Technical Assistance Coordinator

Overview:

The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is a 501(c)(3) entity with the mission of breaking the link between unhealthy housing and unhealthy families. GHHI supports housing, environmental health, and energy efficiency services for families in communities nationwide and conducts direct services in Maryland. GHHI’s delivery model is based on its data-driven philosophy that public and private social investments are optimized, and social program outcomes are maximized when an occupied home's energy, health, and safety needs are addressed comprehensively, efficiently, and simultaneously.

Vision Statement:

Addressing the Social Determinants of Health and Racial Equity Through Healthy Housing.

Mission Statement:

The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative is dedicated to addressing the social determinants of health and the advancement of racial and health equity through the creation of healthy, safe, and energy-efficient homes. By delivering a standard of excellence in its work, GHHI aims to eradicate the negative health impacts of unhealthy housing and unjust policies for children, seniors, and families to ensure better health, economic, and social outcomes for low-income communities of color.

Our Model:

GHHI effectively integrates funding from private and public sources to deliver results for low-income residents.

GHHI Delivers:

• Government innovation in service delivery and cost savings.
• Measurable improvements in health, economic, and social outcomes for children and families.
• Development of community-based green jobs and social enterprise.
• Healthy, safe, stable, and affordable homes.
• Increased family economic security, including wealth retention and reduced family displacement.

Job Summary:

The New Jersey Healthy Housing Policy and Technical Assistance Coordinator will work closely with the Vice President for State and Local Strategic Services and New Jersey based staff to ensure the effective development and implementation of GHHI’s healthy housing, lead poisoning prevention, and electrification/decarbonization policy and technical assistance initiatives in New Jersey.

Working out of GHHI’s Trenton New Jersey office, the Coordinator will play a lead role working with an interdisciplinary set of partner organizations and agencies to develop plans, educate stakeholders, and collaboratively pursue policy solutions to increase the stock of healthy, safe, and energy efficient housing at the state and local levels. Working with partners and GHHI staff, the Coordinator will play a lead role updating the New Jersey Lead Poisoning Prevention Plan, and upon completion, will actively work with partners to advance priority policy recommendations identified through the planning process to prevent lead poisoning and increase the stock of safe, healthy, and energy efficient housing among low- and moderate-income households in New Jersey. The Coordinator will also work closely with GHHI staff and partners to advance “Whole House” approaches that include the coordinated installation of health, safety, weatherization, and electrification measures in low- and moderate-income communities in New Jersey.

The Coordinator will also work closely with GHHI’s Vice President for State and Local Strategic Services, GHHI’s Lead and Healthy Homes Technical Assistant, and GHHI national staff to facilitate the delivery of technical assistance to key constituencies working to prevent lead poisoning in New Jersey including state agencies, local health departments, community-based organizations, and others. Activities will include supporting: implementation of new lead and healthy housing related policy and legislation; community outreach and engagement to increase lead screening; implementation of the state’s adoption of its new blood lead reference level; and supporting training on resource acquisition and national best practices to advance lead hazard remediation, healthy housing, and energy and home repair services among low and moderate income households.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Partnership Development and Advocacy: Connect with public and private sector stakeholders; Establish relationships with policy makers; Work closely with federal and state agencies on opportunities to advance policy goals; Advocate for policy recommendations; Collaborate with and help support national and local organizations and coalitions that are advancing similar or shared policy goals; Aid in building relationships with NJ focused funders who have aligned interests.

1. Policy Development: Work with GHHI staff and partners to develop policies, protocols, and approaches to support adoption of the “whole house” approach and advance efforts to end childhood lead poisoning, eliminate home-based environmental health hazards, and increase energy efficiency and decarbonization in the state’s low- and moderate-income housing stock. Policies may involve housing standards, code enforcement, healthcare entities, and utilities among others; Explore policy levers such as local and state legislation, federal regulations, and legislation; Write briefs, strategies, and protocols related to healthy housing work.

1. Training and Technical Assistance: Work with GHHI staff to deliver policy recommendations, toolkits, and other policy and technical assistance products to GHHI partners in New Jersey through on-site trainings, workshops, and webinars; Assist New Jersey based partners to grow and sustain successful programs; Maintain effective communication and conduct follow up activities with GHHI staff, partners and funders; Produce materials related to delivering policy training and technical assistance; Set agendas and facilitate meetings as part of the technical assistance.

1. Research and analysis: Researching existing health / housing policies, best practices and related data; Staying abreast of current Healthy Housing, Weatherization / Energy Efficiency, and Lead Abatement work & related activities locally and nationally; Identify studies and research showing the impact of lead poisoning prevention, healthy homes and energy efficiency/weatherization activities; Reviewing GHHI’s internal data, and identifying opportunities to distribute and publish outcomes of GHHI’s work.

Other Duties:

Helping developing proposals for funding NJ based activities for GHHI and key partners.

General assistance with special projects as assigned by the President & CEO and/or Vice President of State and Local Strategic Services as warranted and applicable to advance professional development.

Actively report progress to senior leadership at GHHI.

Qualifications:

The successful applicant must possess:

• Degree in public policy, public health, government, economics, marketing, business, medicine, or other related field;
• Proven project management and organizational skills with attention to detail;
• A demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate and achieve results across multiple partnerships and agendas;
• Effective facilitation skills, both in person and online utilizing tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams;
• An ability to work independently and lead technical assistance efforts while serving as part of a national team;
• Cultural competency and strong interpersonal skills for interacting with colleagues, clients and program partners of all demographic and professional levels;
• A track record for open and effective internal and external communication; be able to effectively engage diverse audiences and stakeholders verbally and in writing;
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills;
• Flexibility, initiative, and a collaborative spirit; and
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite;

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Graduate degree in public policy, public health, government, law, urban planning, business, economics, or other related field;
• At least 3 years in lead poisoning prevention, healthy homes, housing policy, home renovation / repair, government, or environmental science;
• Strong understanding and commitment to addressing health, environmental and economic inequities through solution-based approaches;
• Familiarity with large scale public policy or public health campaigns; and,
• Willingness to travel for trainings, meetings, and conferences.

Additional Information:

The salary for this position is set at $90,000 per year and is non-negotiable. This compensation reflects our commitment to equity, transparency, and consistency across our team.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision insurance, and HRA
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
• Short-and Long-Term Disability

This is a full-time, exempt position based in our Trenton, New Jersey office. The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and a drug free workplace. GHHI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities. GHHI has a deep commitment to racial, gender and ethnic diversity and seeks applications from all qualified persons.