Co-Propel Coordinator

Co-Propel Coordinator

Location: Augusta, Maine (Hybrid)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Occasional evenings and weekends as needed
Work Arrangement: Up to 3 days remote / 2 days onsite weekly

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking a Co-Propel Coordinator to lead and support statewide newborn screening system improvement efforts through the Cooperative Newborn Screening Systems Priorities Program (Co-Propel).

In this highly collaborative role, you will coordinate initiatives that improve newborn screening, follow-up services, health data integration, and equitable access to care for infants diagnosed with or at risk for heritable conditions. Working with healthcare providers, public health leaders, families, and community partners, you will help strengthen systems that directly impact the health and development of Maine's children.

If you are passionate about public health, healthcare systems improvement, maternal and child health, and advancing health equity, we encourage you to apply.

Position Summary

The Co-Propel Coordinator will lead the implementation of projects designed to improve the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of Maine's Newborn Screening (NBS) system. This position serves as a key liaison across public health, clinical, and community organizations to improve coordination of care, enhance data systems, support quality improvement initiatives, and strengthen long-term outcomes for infants and families.

Key priorities include:

• Improving specimen collection and result reporting timelines
• Enhancing short- and long-term follow-up processes
• Strengthening healthcare data interoperability and reporting
• Supporting implementation of newly added Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) conditions
• Reducing disparities in care and improving health equity
• Expanding access to diagnostic, treatment, and care coordination services
• Increasing family engagement and stakeholder collaboration

Key Responsibilities

Program & Project Management

• Coordinate day-to-day implementation of Co-Propel grant activities
• Develop and manage project work plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables
• Monitor progress toward program goals and federal requirements
• Support collaboration across Maternal and Child Health (MCH), Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN), and other DHHS programs

Quality Improvement & Performance Monitoring

• Lead continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives across the newborn screening system
• Analyze performance metrics and identify trends, gaps, and disparities
• Implement and support Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles
• Develop recommendations to improve screening timeliness and follow-up outcomes

Data Systems & Interoperability

• Collaborate with IT, informatics, and healthcare partners to enhance data exchange and reporting
• Support interoperability initiatives between public health and clinical systems
• Assist with implementation of data standards, including HL7
• Coordinate required state and national data submissions

Follow-Up & Care Coordination

• Strengthen short- and long-term follow-up processes for infants identified through newborn screening
• Work with specialty providers, primary care teams, and care coordinators to reduce loss to follow-up
• Support development of outcome measurement and long-term tracking systems

Health Equity & Family Engagement

• Integrate health equity principles throughout project planning and implementation
• Identify and address barriers impacting underserved populations
• Engage families and individuals with lived experience through advisory groups and outreach efforts
• Promote culturally and linguistically responsive communication and services

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain partnerships with hospitals, laboratories, specialty clinics, public health organizations, and community-based partners
• Support the Newborn Screening Joint Advisory Committee (JAC)
• Participate in state, regional, and national newborn screening initiatives and workgroups

Training, Education & Communication

• Develop educational materials for providers, families, and community partners
• Facilitate training opportunities and stakeholder outreach activities
• Communicate program updates, performance outcomes, and best practices

Grant Administration & Reporting

• Prepare progress reports, performance metrics, and federal grant deliverables
• Support grant compliance and sustainability planning
• Document project outcomes, lessons learned, and accomplishments

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Nursing, Social Work, Health Administration, Healthcare Management, Human Services, or a related field

Experience

• Experience in public health, maternal and child health, healthcare systems, program coordination, population health, or related fields
• Experience coordinating projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Experience analyzing data and using information to improve programs and outcomes

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Health (MPH), Nursing, Social Work, Health Administration, or a related discipline
• Experience working with newborn screening programs, maternal and child health initiatives, or children and youth with special healthcare needs
• Experience with grant-funded programs and federal reporting requirements
• Experience supporting healthcare equity initiatives and underserved populations
• Familiarity with healthcare informatics, electronic health records (EHRs), or public health surveillance systems

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of maternal and child health systems and population health strategies
• Understanding of newborn screening, care coordination, and follow-up systems
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities
• Ability to build partnerships and collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Experience using data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• Familiarity with health data systems and interoperability concepts

Preferred Certifications

The following certifications are helpful but not required:

• Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or similar professional license
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Lean, Six Sigma, or Quality Improvement certifications
• Public Health certifications

Travel Requirements

• In-state travel to hospitals, clinics, and partner organizations throughout Maine
• Occasional regional and national travel for conferences, trainings, and federally required meetings
• Ability to participate in both in-person and virtual meetings

What Success Looks Like

The successful Co-Propel Coordinator will help create a more integrated, timely, and equitable newborn screening system for Maine families by:

• Improving screening and reporting timelines
• Enhancing care coordination and follow-up outcomes
• Strengthening statewide data integration and reporting capabilities
• Increasing access to services for underserved populations
• Expanding family engagement and stakeholder collaboration
• Supporting healthier outcomes for infants and children with heritable conditions

Benefits

At SSO, we invest in our people—supporting your health, financial security, and growth:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with discretionary employer match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Flexible spending accounts
• Additional employee perks