Community Health Assistant III

County of Orange; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Orange Health Care Agency is seeking a Community Health Assistant III to support the WIC program with advanced nutrition education and client navigation. The role may lead WIC clinic operations, coordinate staff workflows, and ensure delivery of culturally responsive services to diverse communities.

Ideal candidates will conduct high-quality nutrition counseling, assist in care plan development, and collaborate with community partners to improve access to health services.

Responsibilities

• Leading health education sessions with communities and clients
• Overseeing WIC clinic operations and guiding staff workflows
• Assisting in outreach events and coordinating health education activities
• Conducting dietary assessments and developing care plans for participants
• Issuing breast pumps and managing benefits adjustments as needed
• Maintaining accurate documentation using electronic systems and MS Office

Job description

COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSISSANT III

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Community Health Assistant III (CHA III)positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 P.M. (PST on the day the County's needs are met.

HEALTH CARE AGENCY

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

THE DEPARTMENT AND PROGRAM

Public Health Services, Health Promotion & Community Planning

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

Public Health Services (PHS) is a multi-dimensional department that includes Communicable Disease Control, Public Health Lab, Environmental Health, Community & Nursing Services, Clinical Services, and Health Promotion & Community Planning. Through assessment, policy development and assurance, PHS provides a wide range of services aimed at reducing death and disability by reducing the transmission of communicable diseases, preventing and lessening the impact of chronic diseases, and ensuring healthy and safe environments.

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is administered by the California Department of Public Health and funded through a federal USDA grant and infant formula rebates. Its mission is to nourish and empower families by reducing barriers to nutritious foods, increasing access to health and community services, and improving lifelong health outcomes. WIC works toward these goals by providing healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to medical and social services, guided by statewide strategies that strengthen participation, enhance service quality, and support families across California.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The CHA III plays a key role in supporting WIC by providing advanced health and nutrition education, assisting clients in accessing services, and serving as a critical link between the community and the health care system. Operating with minimal supervision, the CHA III supports professional staff, helps design and deliver health education activities, and works closely with community groups and service providers to ensure clients receive culturally responsive, high-quality support.

In addition, the CHA III may serve as a lead for a WIC clinic location, supporting clinic operations, guiding staff workflows, and ensuring that WIC services are delivered efficiently, culturally responsive, and aligned with program goals.

Responsibilities of the CHA III may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing lead oversight for clinic operations or specific health education functions, including WIC clinic locations
• Providing group and individual nutrition education as part of delivering comprehensive WIC nutrition services
• Assisting in the development and design of health education presentations, materials, and outreach events, may include after hours and Saturday hours as needed
• Participating in outreach events and supporting community based services, including conducting diaper deliveries and engaging with clients in community settings to assess WIC eligibility
• Serving as a Local Vendor Liaison (LVL) for WIC by conducting field visits, supporting vendor compliance, and meeting driving requirements to maintain strong partnerships with authorized WIC vendors
• Serve as a liaison between local health care providers to encourage breastfeeding support services, including serving on multiple community focused workgroups and providing technical assistance to community partners and clinicians
• Issuing specialized care plans and modifying food packages while supporting culturally responsive service delivery for diverse WIC families
• Conducting high risk nutrition counseling, issuing breast pumps, managing benefits adjustments, and handling referrals and comprehensive dietary assessments to ensure participants receive appropriate and accessible nutrition services

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate willdemonstrate extensive program knowledge, strong cross cultural communication skills, and the ability to function with a high degree of independence in community health settings. The ideal candidate will also possess experience in community outreach, client support, and leading or coordinating specialized health education activities, and will be fluent in both English and Spanish, including speaking, reading, and writing.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess the abilities and/or knowledge in the following core competencies:

Technical Knowledge

• Applying advanced knowledge of community health practices to provide group and individual health education tailored to diverse communities
• Conducting comprehensive client assessments and supporting referrals to appropriate health and social services
• Delivering high risk nutrition counseling and assisting in the development and implementation of care plans
• Designing and preparing health education materials, presentations, and community health fair content
• Maintaining accurate documentation, case notes, and records using electronic systems and Microsoft Office applications

Leadership & Independent Judgment

• Serving as a lead over clinic operations or specific health education functions, guiding staff and volunteers as needed
• Exercising sound judgment when evaluating complex client needs, cross-cultural concerns, or program eligibility issues
• Identifying service gaps, developing reasonable solutions, and taking effective action with minimal supervision
• Supporting team development by sharing expertise, mentoring peers, and fostering a collaborative work environment

Building & Maintaining Relationships

• Establishing trust and rapport with clients, families, and community groups—particularly those with limited English proficiency or from underserved populations
• Acting as a liaison with community organizations, service providers, and culturally specific groups to strengthen resource networks
• Representing the program in community settings with professionalism, cultural humility, and sensitivity to diverse perspectives
• Facilitating groups, trainings, or outreach events that engage community members and promote program participation

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Please click here for details on the Community Health Assistant III classification, including the physical, mental, environmental and working conditions.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIROMENTAL CONDITIONS

Physical Requiriements

Vision sufficient to read standard text, read a computer monitor and to drive; speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person, over the telephone and in small groups; independent body mobility to stand, sit, walk, stoop, and bend to access a standard office environment; manual dexterity to use hands, arms and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard, to write, and drive a vehicle. Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.

Mental Requirements

Possess the ability to independently reason logically to analyze data, reach conclusions and make recommendations; possess the ability to remain calm and appropriately focused in rapidly changing and difficult situations involving conflict, complex issues, controversy and diverse stakeholder groups and interests; possess the ability to deal calmly and effectively with emotional interactions.

Environmental Conditions

Will be required to interact with clients/patients in emotional and occasionally hostile situations; work in the field or in an office environment and/or a secure facility; drive to community sites and to meetings; occasionally work evenings/weekends to attend meetings/special events.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move advance to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.