The MetroHealth System, Cuyahoga County’s public health system, and its staff of nearly 8,000 provides care at MetroHealth’s four hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers and 40 additional sites throughout Cuyahoga County. The health system is home to Cuyahoga County’s most experienced Level I Adult Trauma Center, verified since 1992, and Ohio’s only adult and pediatric trauma and burn center.  As an academic medical center, MetroHealth is committed to teaching and research. Each active staff physician holds a faculty appointment at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Our main campus hospital houses a Cleveland Metropolitan School District high school of science and health. The MetroHealth System is committed to creating a healthier community.

Summary: 

Serves as MetroHealth’s “eyes and ears” in the cities and neighborhoods it serves. Engages regularly with local elected officials, community organizations and other stakeholders to identify issues that will impact The MetroHealth System, to develop innovative ways for MetroHealth to engage with residents and other stakeholders and to build goodwill for the System. Provides special attention to and emphasis on matters that impact health and social determinants of health. Maintains a presence at community meetings (as such activities resume) and constantly engages with people to learn which issues are important, then develops ways that MetroHealth can address them directly or in its role as a community convener. Upholds the mission, vision, values, and customer service standards of The MetroHealth System.

Responsibilities:

1. Contributes to patient safety by supporting the System-wide programs and policies addressing a safe environment for patients and the reporting of safety concerns to the appropriate individuals.

2. Monitors activities of local governments and builds relationships with officials where MetroHealth has facilities. Alerts other members of the team of issues that require the System’s attention.

3. Identifies and alerts System leadership to potential contracting opportunities, especially around priorities such as behavioral health, school health and trauma.

4. Develops and maintains relationships with local elected officials, chambers of commerce, and community organizations so they know who to contact with ideas, questions and concerns related to The MetroHealth System.

5. Regularly interacts with local elected officials, government representatives, and key stakeholders to hear their concerns and identity ways in which The MetroHealth System may be helpful. Knows their issues, concerns, and needs.

6. Looks for opportunities to build goodwill for The MetroHealth System through community service and support for neighborhood groups, especially in the Clark Fulton area and neighborhoods surrounding MetroHealth’s Main Campus.

7. Leads the internal community engagement council and calendar to ensure efforts are coordinated, reflect positively on The MetroHealth System, and stay on-message.

8. Participates the entire government relations team and understands the connections between federal, state, and local policy questions.

9. Directs the work of the Community and Local Government Engagement Coordinator.

10. Provides content for a regularly scheduled newsletter to community leaders, partners, and other friends of The MetroHealth System. Shares content with the Director of Government Relations for repurposing to lawmakers and other political leaders.

11. Displays sensitivity to and understanding of various cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

12. Performs other functionally related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required:
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Health or other related discipline. In lieu of degree, any combination of education, training, and experience in addition to the experience stated below.
5 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, community relations, or public health in a corporate, hospital, agency, or association environment.
Thorough knowledge of the local government environment, officials and communities in Greater Cleveland.
Experience interacting with a variety of individuals and/or organizations in a community.
Experience establishing effective relationships and collaborating with individuals at all levels of an organization.
Highly self-motivated and results oriented.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Skilled at adjusting to and working with challenging audiences.
Superb strategic thinking skills.
Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.


Preferred:
Experience interacting with regional and state leaders/elected officials.
Management experience.
Proficiency in a second language.

Physical Demands:
May need to move around intermittently during the day, including sitting, standing, stooping, bending, and ambulating.
May need to remain still for extended periods, including sitting and standing.
Ability to communicate in face-to-face, phone, email, and other platforms.
Ability to read job related documents.
Ability to use computer.