Project Assistant, Substance Use During Pregnancy

Position Title: Project Assistant, Substance Use During Pregnancy
Job Type: Full time, contractor
Salary: $35,000 – $40,000
Location: Remote; travel to Charleston and throughout the state.

General Job Summary:
The West Virginia Perinatal Partnership is looking for a proactive project assistant to work collaboratively with our Substance Use During Pregnancy team on specific short- and long-term projects. The Project Assistant provides support to the Project Director and project team members. The position is responsible for completing tasks delegated by the Project Director, coordinate with all necessary team members, providers, and state officials, and ensure that projects are moving forward on time. The Project Assistant will need to be highly organized, adaptable, and able to prioritize tasks while working independently. Strong communication skills, positivity, and reliability are must-have skills in this position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the project director and team members to meet project goals and objectives
• Collaborate with the whole project team, contributing to the entire project lifecycle
• Organize and monitor schedules and see that deadlines are met
• Tracks the progress of all new and ongoing projects and maintains up-to-date notes
• Coordinate efforts within the project team, with other WVPP staff and WVPP initiatives, and with outside stakeholders
• Report updates verbally and in written form to WVPP management
• Complete necessary administrative tasks, such as preparing invoices, scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and other materials for publication, data entry, conducting research, and responding to email
• Demonstrate commitment to mission of the West Virginia Perinatal Partnership

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (public health, communications, business, etc.)  required
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Keen attention to detail and an aptitude for problem-solving
• Able to proactively address potential issues
• Excellent computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• Collaborative working style and team-player attitude
• Able to work independently with little supervision
• Highly motivated with a strong work ethic
• Reliable, trustworthy, and committed to the team’s success
• Outstanding organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks
• Able to thrive in a high-volume, deadline-driven work environment

Work Location and Travel:
The position is remote but periodic travel throughout West Virginia may be necessary, including periodic travel to the WVPP headquarters in Charleston. Qualified candidates will need to have a dedicated office space or home office.  Access to reliable internet is necessary in order to fulfill responsibilities.

The WVPP maintains a strong organizational foundation that supports and encourages behaviors that improve the health of the public. We strive to support breastfeeding, tobacco and nicotine cessation, substance use disorder treatment, infant safe sleep practices, contraceptive access and health equity.  Candidates must be sensitive to the needs of and possess an interest in working in a perinatal community that is diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or identity, and disability status.

Application Process:
Initial interviews will be conducted by Zoom. Applicants may submit a cover letter, resume and three references by email to Janine Breyel, Deputy Director at jbreyel@wvperinatal.org with “Project Assistant” in the subject line.

The West Virginia Perinatal Partnership, Inc.is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.  WVPP provides a collegial, respectful, and inclusive environment that values the diversity, creativity, and contributions of its staff.  

About the Partnership:
The WVPP is a statewide quality collaborative of healthcare professionals and public and private organizations working together to improve perinatal health in West Virginia. Founded in 2006, as a project to improve perinatal outcomes statewide, the WVPP is recognized throughout the state for its effectiveness in bringing together individuals and organizations involved in all aspects of perinatal care. The WVPP is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization and is led by Board of Directors and a Central Advisory Council that is comprised of over 30 representatives of tertiary medical centers, schools of medicine, level I, II and III delivery hospitals, and representatives of privately practicing providers of obstetrics, midwifery, and pediatrics as well as specialty medical and nursing associations state agencies and payers. The WV Perinatal Partnership, Inc. is a project of the WV Higher Education Policy Commission. The WVPP is supported through state, federal and private foundation grants including: the WV Higher Education Policy Commission; the WV Department of Health and Human Resources; the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The following are the aims of the WV Perinatal Partnership:

• Work together as the state’s perinatal quality collaborative to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care through a coordinated system of perinatal health care delivery in West Virginia.
• Prevent maternal and infant morbidity and mortality through collaborations with tertiary medical centers, community hospitals, and health care professionals.
• House a repository of the state’s maternal and infant health data, as well as research and trends in maternal and child health and create mechanisms to distribute that information to the public and health care professionals.
• Encourage new policies and laws that promote better health for pregnant women and their babies.
• Create opportunities for perinatal professionals to share their expertise with each other through educational programs.
• Encourage behavioral changes that promote healthy lifestyle including increasing supportive breastfeeding practices, reducing tobacco and drug use, and establishing a reproductive life plan.