Community Outreach Specialist Jobs in Oregon

Department Overview:

The Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness (Moore Institute) and Center for Developmental Health (CDH) work to improve the health of all Oregonians by generating and translating research surrounding the effects of nutrition and toxic stress exposure on chronic disease risk. All work is grounded in a field of research known as the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, or DOHaD. The CDH is the research-focused arm, and the Moore Institute is the communications, education and outreach arm. Together, the Moore Institute and CDH report to one Director who oversees and aligns the strategic direction of both groups.

The Community Engagement Specialist supports the outreach, education, and operational goals of the Moore Institute and CDH. This position plays a key role in implementing various community engagement activities, fostering community partnerships, supporting public events, and managing essential administrative tasks.

This position also provides planning, program and project coordination to the Moore Institute. The position utilizes and promotes critical thinking skills in workflow streamlining, priority setting of task completion, and in assuring that there is a consistently high level of efficient, professional customer service provided in all interaction.

This can be a hybrid position. Occasional travel is necessary.

Function/Duties of Position:

Community Engagement & Outreach: Assist in developing and executing engagement strategies that reflect the mission and values of the Moore Institute and CDH. Build and maintain meaningful relationships with diverse communities, organizations, and stakeholders. Support the implementation of the Nutrition Oregon Campaign and other outreach efforts, coordinating logistics and communication with internal teams and external consultants. Contribute to public education efforts by developing content and preparing materials. Represent the Moore Institute and CDH at community engagement events.

Administrative, Planning & Program Coordination: Provide coordination and administrative support for education, training, and professional development efforts across the team. Assist with planning meetings and activities for collaborators. Apply critical thinking to prioritize tasks, streamline workflow, and ensure timely execution of projects. Deliver high-level, professional customer service to internal stakeholders, external partners, and the public.

Operations & Logistical Support: Manage calendars and coordinate meeting logistics and scheduling. Support purchasing processes, track expenditures, and maintain up-to-date financial and tracking documents. Arrange travel and lodging for staff and invited guests or collaborators.

Other duties as needed assigned by leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience leading projects OR
• Associate’s degree and three years of experience leading projects OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• At least 3 years of administrative support experience supporting a team of 10 or more people.
• Must have strong communication, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse communities.
• Experience with administrative support, calendar management, and event or logistics coordination is essential.
• Accurate typing at 60 wpm.
• Ability to take and prepare accurate meeting minutes for multiple committees.
• Intermediate to advance level skills with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work independently, think analytically, problem solve, be proactive about anticipating issues and be comfortable working on projects without clear guidelines that may still be in development.
• Good public speaking skills, ability to engage with and form productive collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Successful track record of self-directed work and ability to set own work priorities.
• Ability to multi-task and to work efficiently; ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-moving environment with interruptions to ensure the smooth flow of services and operations utilizing good judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills must be able to communicate effectively and clearly; initiative and ability to work with diverse groups; ability to interact effectively with all levels of organization.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and ability to adapt to learning new systems and processes.
• Extensive experience with meeting and event management, logistics, scheduling and development of communication materials.
• Demonstrated skills with composing and editing written materials.
• Must exhibit professional behavior at all times, in person, over the phone, and through electronic communications.
• Demonstrable record of reliable attendance, punctuality and proven successful performance at past and present employers.
• Ability to perform the job duties with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Public Health or similar field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in community engagement, outreach, or program coordination.
• 3–5 years of experience in a health equity, public health, or research-based setting is preferred.
• Familiarity with statewide initiatives or collective impact frameworks is highly desirable.
• Experience facilitating training or workshops and supporting grant-funded programs is a plus.
• Knowledge of health care, science issues; knowledge of building community relationships and cultivating public will.
• Understanding of Collective Impact framework and equity-based community development.

Additional Details:

This position works in a busy environment with interruptions, multiple demands and people interactions. Must be able to travel to all CDH/Moore worksite locations, including using the tram. Occasional evening and weekend work. Occasional travel is necessary.

Why apply to OHSU?: We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu