New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is a community development corporation committed to sustainable development in housing opportunities, economic development, vacant land strategies, community engagement, and real estate development. NKCDC advances social equity and economic empowerment by nurturing and creating opportunities for residents to live, and actively shape, their neighborhoods of choice. To that end, NKCDC provides free housing counseling to anyone in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and offers many additional resources to residents and businesses in the Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods.
NKCDC has a strong reputation both locally and nationally, with longstanding credibility of serving as a trusted and valuable partner and collaborator. The organization is currently one of only two community development organizations in the City of Philadelphia that are chartered members of the NeighborWorks America network. Historically, our approach to arts-based development and vacant land management has been considered innovative and transformative. Our current work using a trauma-informed community engagement model, applying a racial equity lens across the organization, and leading programs at the intersection of health and housing are keeping NKCDC at the cutting-edge of community development. NKCDC draws on the strengths of the communities in Kensington, Fishtown, and Port Richmond — a population of over 62,800, 23% of whom live below the federal poverty level — to make sure neighborhood development benefits all residents. More information can be found at nkcdc.org.
Function
The role of the Diabetic Lifestyle Coach is to provide support and guidance to participants who are enrolled in the year-long National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). Follow the program and implement the standard curriculum designed in accordance with the CDC Diabetes Prevention Program standards and operating procedures. Programming includes providing in-person or web-based lessons or workshops that promote lifestyle awareness while motivating participants to connect to a primary care physician to improve their quality of life and reinforce evidence-based knowledge while building trusting relationships with participants. The Diabetic Lifestyle Coach works from a set of core values and ethics consistent with the concepts of empowerment, collaboration, and learning.
The Diabetic Lifestyle Coach will be working with the CHW Program Manager, the CHW Lead Supervisor, and Mentors to facilitate workshops and lessons from an equity-based and trauma-informed lens while addressing specific areas of expertise such as diet, activity, stress management, and innovative ways to inspire a healthier lifestyle. The Diabetic Lifestyle Coach will use the Find Help platform to provide access to resources participants may use to help improve their lifestyles.
Reports to
Workforce Development Project Manager
Responsibilities
Specific tasks and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Deliver the “Prevent T2 Program”, adhering to the CDC-approved curriculum with required intensity and duration (per the Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program Standards and operating
procedures, i.e., DPRP Standards) to participants in a mindful, culturally competent, and trauma-informed manner. - Assist in program outreach initiatives by participating in community events such as health fairs and forums to inform potential partners, recruit program participants, and establish new sites.
- Encourage individual and group participation through interaction with open-ended questions and facilitate commitment to activities for effective lifestyle change.
- Create a motivating environment that is friendly and noncompetitive.
- Foster relationships with and between participants.
- Prepare before each class (i.e., review participants’ food and activity trackers, lesson plans, content for class, and make reminder calls to participants)
- Be accessible to participants both before and after sessions to answer questions and follow up on any questions not addressed during class time.
- Follow up with participants outside of class if they are unable to attend (offer an in-person makeup session opportunity).
- Support and encourage goal-setting on a weekly basis.
- Record session data for each participant (attendance, body weight, total weekly minutes of physical activity, etc.)
- Arrive for class on time and dress appropriately.
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those governing privacy and data security.
- Attend and participate in all appropriate staff meetings, work groups, etc. as directed.
- Perform other duties or tasks as directed or assigned by the program manager
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Specialized training to become a CDC Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle coach will be required upon hire. Have a passion for teaching people about healthy lifestyles and motivating participants to learn.
- Experience in health, education, nutrition, exercise science, or another health-related field is a plus.
- Bilingual/Spanish speaker is preferred.
- Solid combination of training, knowledge, and experience in health, nutrition, or exercise program implementation.
- Skilled in verbal and written communication, well organized, computer literate, and capable of managing a variety of activities.
- Able to work a flexible schedule, including leading classes on nights and weekends.
- A driver’s license is a plus to access different workshop sites– DPP Lifestyle Coach
- Knowledge of basic health nutrition and fitness principles.
- Knowledge of public health and community resources and agencies
- Ability to work with people from all walks of life and with a variety of stakeholders.
- Ability to build strong relationships with individuals and build community within a group
- Ability to facilitate groups to optimize social interaction, shared learning, and group cohesion.
- Ability to understand and oversee participant safety-related issues in delivery of the lifestyle program.
Compensation
The salary for this position will be $37,750.00/yr. with a full-time schedule, 35 hours per week. To counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, we use a nonnegotiable starting salary system, while benchmarking our pay to competitive markets in the nonprofit sector. Excellent benefits include an HMO health plan, long- and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid vacation, and a 403(b)- retirement plan. This position will be on-site at our central office, 2771 Ruth Street, Suite 1, Philadelphia, PA 19134.
Application process
Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to HR@nkcdc.org, with “[YOUR NAME] Diabetic Lifestyle Coach” in the subject line. Applications received by Friday, October 20, 2023, will be given full consideration. All candidate resumes are given consideration and are kept on file for one year, but we cannot always respond personally depending on the volume of inquiries.
Hiring process
Our hiring process includes a 20–30-minute interview with HR, followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager, and finally an hour-long “panel” interview with 3-4 staff members. Reference checks are conducted after the final interview.
Equal Employment Opportunity
NKCDC provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, race, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, religion, language, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or physical ability. We know groups subjected to systemic oppression– including people of color, women, people from working class backgrounds, and people who identify as LGBTQ – are less likely to apply unless and until they meet every requirement for a job. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other communities who are marginalized.