Community Relations & Outreach Associate

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry has an opening for a Community Relations and Outreach Associate!

• The pay range is $75,000-85,000 depending on the experience the finalist brings to the position.
• The first six months of this position will be fully on-site at the School of Dentistry in Minneapolis. Afterward, it will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule based on the needs of the unit and in determination with the Division Director.
• This position requires the ability to travel up to six times per year to our sites in greater Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

This position, within our Division of Community Outreach and Engagement, is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Division, encouraging and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners, and acts as a community liaison for the Division throughout the state and region. This includes:

• Leading the operational management of initiatives and activities.
• Working closely with the Director to provide strategic guidance and support in the development of new affiliate partners.
• Administering the division's continuing dental education courses and any high-level written communications and materials, and supporting special events.

Community Based Dental Education is part of the dental school curriculum. We prepare dental, dental hygiene and dental therapy students to deliver clinical care to diverse, disadvantaged, and limited access patients outside of the traditional school clinical settings.

Student experiences in rural and urban communities provide opportunities for students to integrate clinical and basic sciences with social, behavioral, public health sciences and inter-professional collaborations with other health providers in the community.

Find out more about the work we do and our community-based dental clinics on our !

Operational Management (50%)

• Plan, coordinate, evaluate, and direct the designated operations through shared decision making with the leadership team.
• Provide management and operational input on standard methodologies. Develop and supervise contracted services with community-based providers.
• Write or collaborate on the production of all Division mass communication materials to students, faculty, and affiliate partners.
• Participate on grant committees to plan, write, and implement grant proposals for our affiliated clinics.
• Support the Director in ensuring compliance with funding requirements, if appropriate, such as time and effort reporting, grant results, and contract results.
• Manage, assist in negotiations for, prepare, and complete all Division Affiliation Agreements, financial addenda, Professional Services Agreements, contracts, and other legal documentation.
• Onboard all new affiliate partners and make sure the operational and educational needs of both parties are met. Lead the onboarding process through accreditation applications, data collection, scheduling calibration meetings, and reporting progress to leadership.
• Develop and support partnerships based on principles of mutual respect, trust, shared power, and openness to different ways of knowing through community-engaged consultation; carry out effective working relationships with employees, people receiving services, other professionals, agencies, and the public.
• Establish and maintain relationships with new and long-standing Outreach affiliate faculty, adjunct faculty, and staff to ensure the future success of student Community Outreach rotations outside the School.
• This includes occasional travel to Outreach sites throughout Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota to ensure accreditation requirements are met, and to represent the School.
• Participate in community advisory boards related to oral health and public engagement as assigned by the Director.
• Cultivate an environment that recognizes and respects cultural, lifestyle, and socioeconomic differences.
• Identify relevant ways in which we can contribute to community organizations and collaborators in their endeavors to reduce oral health disparities and promote population health.

Course Administration (30%)

• Co-design and provide administration and evaluation of innovative student curriculum initiatives.
• Orient faculty at outreach affiliate sites to complete Course Evaluations of all students who complete rotations at that particular site.
• Ensure completion of graduation requirements for students enrolled in Senior Outreach Experience courses and any future courses to be developed. Enter grades, complete clinical progression reports, and communicate progress with students.
• Collaborate with the School's schedulers, Student & Resident Affairs, Division Directors, Course Directors, and Center for Interprofessional Health colleagues to achieve success in student rotation placement and completion of course requirements.
• Attend committee meetings related to student courses as appointed by Division Director.
• Collaboratively design and implement high-quality programs, tools, and training for Community and University audiences to build and maintain capacity in community-engaged activities and events.
• Co-design and present lectures, trainings, and informational sessions on community-engaged oral health initiatives to audiences in educational institutions including but not limited to prospective students, community organizations, and public agencies.

Special Events Support (5%)

• Assist with operations for the Annual Outreach Dental Review, a two-day continuing dental education course for all Division faculty and adjunct faculty.
• Manage scheduled Student Outreach Information Sessions throughout the year as it relates to the Outreach Senior Experience course, volunteer experiences, scholarship opportunities, etc.
• Attend health fairs, conferences, or community organization events as directed by leadership team.

Strategic Planning (10%)

• Provide project management that demonstrates strong leadership skills, personal initiative, and effective decision making with resulting outcomes that are in line with strategic objectives.
• Set comprehensive goals and priorities and advance overall organizational direction, performance, and progress in collaboration with Division Director.
• Determine needs for improvements that will enhance program integrity and develop resources and plans to meet such needs and evaluate outcomes.
• Synthesize goals, accomplishments, and challenges of new Community Engagement initiatives to help craft and disseminate presentations and reports for funders and internal/external partners.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Required Qualifications ** Please detail all the required qualifications on your application materials **

• BA/BS with 4 years of experience in community relations and/or outreach, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 8 years.
• Detail oriented with demonstrated success managing operations.
• Experience working with diverse communities and demonstrated dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and social justice.
• Demonstrated verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is the state's only dental school and the only dental school in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest. We are a regional resource to five states for dental education, consulting services, patient treatment, and ongoing continuing dental education.

We educate dentists, dental specialists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental educators and research-scientists. We offer advanced degree programs in seven ADA-recognized specialties: endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics and TMD and orofacial pain. We educate scholars in oral biology, dental hygiene and oral health for older adults. Dentists from other countries who wish to practice in the United States matriculate through our Program for Advanced Standing Students. Learners have the option to pursue a Masters in Public Health or a PhD alongside their DDS degree.

We are the only dental hygiene program in the state associated with a dental school. Offering programs at the baccalaureate and master of science level, our integrated program prepares oral health professionals to collaborate from their first day in the profession.

We became the first dental school in the nation to educate dental therapists in 2009. Dental therapists perform basic preventative services, drill and restore teeth for children and adults and remove primary teeth under the supervision of a licensed dentist. As of 2023, we have graduated 91 dental therapists from the program.

Our work affects virtually every person in Minnesota. We educate approximately 73% of the state's practicing dentists, 68% of licensed dental therapists, and 49% of dental hygiene educators. Our researchers develop and test restorative materials used by dentists around the world. We provide critical oral health care with more than 100,000 patient visits in our campus clinics and more than 16,000 patient visits at outreach sites in underserved communities throughout the state. We provide continuing dental education for 7,1000 practicing dental professionals each year.

The School of Dentistry is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Diverse teams, perspectives, and backgrounds create a strong and creative team that best serves the University's many communities, on campus and beyond. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, women, veterans, and members of historically underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information, please visit our website, .

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the for more information regarding benefits.

You must submit your application online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach the required documentation as indicated below.

To apply for this position, candidates must submit these three items:

1. Resume,
2. Cover letter,
3. One-page (500 word) diversity, equity and inclusion statement that explains your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in your previous professional roles, and discusses the impact your contributions made to your organization(s) and the community.
   

You may attach additional documents after your initial application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U:

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).