The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CF Foundation) and its employees embrace their commitment to its core values. These core values are the pillars on which the CF Foundation stand and will continue to sustain us as we move forward.
- Keep sight of what really matters: Our decisions are based on what is best for people with cystic fibrosis and their families.
- Aspire for excellence in all we do: We take pride in our work. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
- Stronger together: We collaborate and work together so that we can learn more and achieve more.
- Innovate with courage: We embrace challenges. We reach beyond boundaries in pursuit of our vision.
- Care about our people: We deeply care about each other and all who support our shared mission. We listen with respect. We support one another.
We are a nonprofit, donor-supported organization that has raised and invested billions of dollars to help develop cystic fibrosis therapies that have changed the lives of people with this disease. Nearly every CF medicine available today was made possible because of Foundation support.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Support and Connection Specialist is a leader in organizing the CF Foundation’s virtual support and connection programs, with the purpose of facilitating social and emotional support between people with CF and their family members. This role manages recruitment, screening, registration, matching, and engagement for participants in peer support programs, and has a special focus on problem identification, analysis, response, and quality improvement. The Support and Connection Specialist works closely with CF community members and volunteers and requires sensitivity, knowledge, and empathy around cystic fibrosis and wellness.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage day-to-day aspects of peer support programs and ensure personalized, high-quality service to people seeking and providing peer support in the CF community.
- Provide screening, guidance, referrals, and follow-up for participants in line with program guidelines, using professional judgment to make peer support matches and identify additional support needs.
- Plan, organize, and lead online discussion groups for people with CF and/or their family members to facilitate social connections and practical/emotional support between community members.
- Build out connection and support opportunities for Spanish-speaking community members.
- Ensure the inclusion of CF community members in the design, development, and evaluation of assigned support and connection programs and champion diversity and inclusion principles throughout implementation.
- Serve as primary point of contact with members of CF medical care teams for program inquiries and referrals, and to educate about program details.
- Develop program-specific marketing, promotion, and outreach content and conduct presentations to internal and external groups.
- Assist with other CF Foundation support and connection programs as assigned by Program Manager, Community Support and Connection.
- Serve on cross-functional committees and working groups to achieve alignment, coordination, and collaboration in support of department and Foundation goals.
- Execute against Connection and Support programming business plan objectives.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field required along with a minimum of two years of related experience in patient engagement, patient care, counseling, or public health.
- Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Knowledge, sensitivity, and empathy around cystic fibrosis and wellness.
- Experience with group facilitation and managing group interactions.
- Skilled at evaluating options and generating solutions.
- Attention to detail, with emphasis on continuous quality improvement.
- Experience managing and prioritizing several tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with remote team members.
- Ability to learn and manage new technologies.
- Patience, determination, and persistence to respond to community member needs effectively.
- Bilingual Spanish and English fluency required.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
- Reports to the Community Support Program Manager. No direct reports.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, and temperature.
- No heavy lifting required.
- Minimal travel (e.g., 2x/yr.) to conferences and meetings, as necessary.
Total Rewards
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is committed to offering competitive compensation (base pay and incentive), benefits, and professional development opportunities that maximize our ability to recruit, retain, reward, and motivate a highly-qualified and diverse workforce. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous time-off and leave policies; a holistic well-being program; health savings and flexible spending accounts; employer-provided life and disability insurance; retirement savings benefits; and a variety of work-life benefits to support employees and their family members.
Colorado residents: the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, however this role can be performed on a remote-basis. For candidates who reside in Colorado, we offer a salary range of $56,300 - $70,400, commensurate with experience. The salary for other locations will be based on the local labor market and commensurate experience.
The CF Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to being an employer of choice, not just a good place to work, but a great and inclusive place to work. We strive to recruit and maintain a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, physical or mental disability, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, marital status, genetic information or testing, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran or any characteristic protected by law.
Reasonable Accommodation Notice
The CF Foundation is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or would like to request an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at HROps@cff.org.
Job Type: Full-time