Community Health Specialist II

Department:

Trager Institute

Location: Health Sciences Center

Time Type:

Full time

Worker Type:

Regular

Job Req ID: R

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in a related field and two (2) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Grade 5 (Salaried)

Position Description:

The Trager Institute is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Community Health Specialist II, to act as a relationship-builder and systems connector responsible for strengthening collaboration between local health care systems, social service agencies, and community organizations to improve care coordination and transitions of care for older adults. This role focuses on breaking down barriers, aligning partners around shared goals, and creating sustainable pathways that support aging adults and their caregivers.

Candidate must be located in or willing to commute to one of the following Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): KIPDA (serving Jefferson, Shelby, Trimble, Spencer, Oldham, Bullitt, and Henry counties), or Barren River (serving Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren counties). This position may require occasional travel to meet with others. May require occasional weekend work.

Two positions are available working closely with the Area Agency on Aging in the KIPDA and Barren River regions. These positions are grant funded and are contingent upon the renewal of those funds.

Key Responsibilities

• Convene hospitals, primary care providers, long-term care, home health, and social service organizations to form collaborative networks for older adult care.
• Coordinate and facilitate regular committee meetings to guide program direction and community priorities.
• Promote inclusive participation by ensuring diverse stakeholders have meaningful opportunities to contribute.
• Facilitate shared agreements, referral processes, and communication channels among partners.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, agencies, and service providers to align programming and share resources.
• Lead initiatives to standardize warm handoffs, care plans, and data-sharing protocols to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions and emergency department use.
• Promote integration of medical and non-medical supports (transportation, housing, nutrition, caregiver support, behavioral health)
• Facilitate cross-sector meetings, workshops, and action planning to align on measurable outcomes.
• Plan, promote, and implement events that foster community connection and raise awareness of aging-related initiatives.
• Train partners on care transition best practices, including discharge planning, medication management, social determinant screening, and age-friendly practices.
• Continue partnership between the Trager Institute and the Area Agency on Aging.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public health, social work, nursing, gerontology, community development, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in community organizing, care coordination, or health system integration.
• Strong knowledge of older adult services, aging networks, and chronic disease management.
• Demonstrated success in convening diverse stakeholders and building sustainable partnerships.
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, and coalition-building skills.
• Understanding of health equity and social determinants of health.
• Previous experience engaging with older adults and community members, with an understanding of their unique needs, strengths, and healthcare considerations.
• Knowledgeable about local community resources and services that promote wellbeing, independence, and age-friendly environments.

Competencies

• Organized and task-oriented, with strong teamwork and collaboration skills to effectively manage projects, delegate responsibilities, and ensure timely completion of activities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, foster relationships, and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including older adults, caregivers, community partners, and interdisciplinary professionals.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to evaluate progress, adapt strategies, and offer solutions that advance shared goals and improve outcomes for older adults in the community.
• Ability to be a connector and influencer, able to build trust across systems, foster collaboration, and encourage shared accountability among partners.
• Skilled problem-solver who can identify systemic barriers and develop actionable solutions that promote equitable and effective outcomes. As a systems thinker, ability to understand the complexity of healthcare and social service networks and how these systems interrelate to support older adults and caregivers.
• Culturally responsive, engaging respectfully and effectively with diverse populations while centering on the experiences and needs of older adults and their families.

Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or pregnancy. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Act of 1974, the University prohibits job discrimination of individuals with disabilities, Vietnam era veterans, qualified special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans. The University acknowledges its obligations to ensure affirmative steps are taken to ensure equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of the University that no employee or applicant for employment be subject to unlawful discrimination in terms of recruitment, hiring, promotion, contract, contract renewal, tenure, compensation, benefits, and/or working conditions. No employee or applicant for employment is required to endorse or condemn a specific ideology, political viewpoint, or social viewpoint to be eligible for hiring, contract renewal, tenure, or promotion.

Assistance and Accommodations

Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 215 Central Avenue, Ste 205 - Louisville, Kentucky

If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at or by phone