Environmental Health Field Agent - Coachella Valley, CA

Environmental Health Field Agent
Deadline for applications 10/30/13
The California Institute for Rural Studies (CIRS) and the Loma Linda University School of Public Health

Discipline Public Health
Specialty Environmental Health
Contact Ryan G. Sinclair
Phone (909) 558-4000 x47128
Email   rsinclair at LLU (dot) edu
Education.
Must be a current student in Public Health
Description.
The California Institute for Rural Studies (CIRS) is recruiting up to 5 field agents to conduct a targeted research project in the Eastern Coachella Valley. The project investigates several research questions on the topics of community health, environmental exposures and respiratory health, health disparities and disease prevention.
Source of funding
The field agent will be paid directly from the CIRS with funds originating from the California Endowment. The project is entitled the Eastern Coachella Valley Environmental Health Justice Data Project
The field agent will be working with faculty from the LLU SPH, CIRS staff and project partners in the ECV. These project partners include the following organizations:
Loma Linda University School of Public Health Department of Environmental Health
California Rural Legal Assistance
Pueblo Unido CDC
Building Healthy Communities of Coachella Valley
Inland Congregations United for Change
And other partners
Supervisor and Principal Investigators
Jaime Lopez, DrPH(s) MPH
Ryan G. Sinclair PhD, MPH
Gail Wadsworth MSc
Job description

The Field Research Agent (FRA) will collect data from selected households in Eastern Coachella Valley. The FRA will be paid by completed survey and reimbursed for gasoline. Duties of the FRA include the household interviewing, the use environmental and biological sensors to collect data and systematic observations with using an electronic Tablet equipped with a specific software package.
Under general direction, assists research investigators by performing environmental household assessments and experimentation following established protocols
Sets-up and operates various scientific apparatus
Ability to commit to prescheduled work schedule

Deliverables

The Field Research Agent will partner and work with a community health worker and use a Tablet computer to collect data about interview location, date, time and duration of survey. Agent will be required to collect household environmental data.
Hours per week
At least three completed survey assessments per work day and 3 work days per week. Hours will increase throughout the project depending on performance. Students may wish to use this research activity towards a field practicum requirement.
Contact
This competitive position will be listed until filled.
rsinclair@llu.edu

How to apply
Please forward your resume and a cover letter to Dr. Ryan G. Sinclair detailing why you should be considered for this position.

This position is open to ALL students in all departments.
This opportunity may be used for a field practicum.
Loma Linda Public Health students will be competing with students from other Universities for this position

Knowledge - Skill.
Proficiency in working with Latino populations, use of a smart phone and Tablet technology
Must have a car or committed to commute with other team members to research site.
Must be able to independently coordinate with promotoras (community health workers) within Eastern Coachella Valley.
Must not have major restrictions on availability. This includes the potential for late afternoon and early evening interviewing.
Must possess team building skills and contribute as a team member
Must have a high level of Interpersonal skills as a FRA and be willing to meeting many new households. Must possess a situational awareness to avoid hazards.
Proficiency in Spanish is desired
Must be comfortable conducting interviews within rural communities
Physical demands include must be in overall good health and able to walk and work in weather conditions unique to the Coachella Valley.
Must be committed to commuting to field site locations for data collection activities.
Must have a capacity to learn new software, new instrumentation, research methods and work routines quickly
Ability to share responsibilities with a networked team of coworkers
Motivation to engage in and manage a wide range of physical and field investigation work