COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATOR I

Maryland; Columbia (MD); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard County Health Department in Maryland seeks a Community Health Educator I to support the APC Health Promotion team and LHIC. You will help plan and deliver health education, coordinate outreach events, and promote social determinants of health initiatives across the community.

The role offers hybrid telework, opportunities to engage with local partners, and the chance to contribute to evidence-based health programs and training for staff and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree as stated or substitutions allowed as described in the job posting.
• No prior experience required for minimum education.
• Military service substitutions may apply for the required education.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and evaluate community outreach events for Health Department participation.
• Deliver health education on tobacco prevention and chronic disease management; collect data and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Support SDoH platform implementation and staff training.
• Participate in drills, trainings, and quality improvement efforts.

Skills

Event coordination

Public speaking

Communication skills

Data management knowledge

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health Education, Community Health Education or Health Science

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Zoom

WebEx

Job description

GRADE

STD0013

LOCATION OF POSITION

Howard County Health Department 8930 Stanford Blvd. Columbia, MD 21045

Main Purpose of Job

This Community Health Educator I position provides support for the Howard County Health Department Bureau of Assessment, Planning and Community Engagement’s (APC) Health Promotion team and Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC). Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, supporting community engagement efforts, developing and delivering health education and outreach activities, coordinating public health programs and trainings, supporting communication with HCHD staff and community partners, and promoting the use of a Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) platform and other HCHD community health initiatives. This position is eligible for hybrid telework.

POSITION DUTIES

• 40% Community Events Coordination and Outreach Assist with planning, coordinating, and evaluating community outreach events for Health Department participation through community events (such as health fairs), educational workshops/exhibits, presentations and the distribution of health education materials. Coordinate outreach event logistics by responding to event requests, communicating with event organizers and program staff, scheduling Health Department participation, preparing outreach materials and supplies (such as tablecloths and canopies), and maintaining a shared outreach/events calendar. Conduct post-event activities by collecting participation and evaluation data, maintaining outreach records, and returning event supplies and materials to storage. Support continuous program improvement by suggesting changes based on observation and feedback. Represent the Health Department at community events and meetings by providing health education information, fostering collaborative relationships with community organizations and stakeholders, and promoting awareness of available public health programs, services, and resources.
• 40% Health Education Coordinate and teach evidence-based health education programs focused on tobacco prevention, chronic disease prevention and management, and other public health priorities. Deliver accessible health education presentations and classes about tobacco, chronic disease, and other public health priorities and resources. Assist with monitoring program participation, collecting and maintaining program and outcome data, preparing required documentation and reports, and evaluating program effectiveness using established performance measures. Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with Health Department bureaus, community organizations, healthcare providers, and Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC) partners to support coordinated health promotion and community outreach efforts. Assist in the development, adaptation, and distribution of culturally and linguistically appropriate health education materials and health communication resources that support state and local public health goals and evidence-based practices.
• 15% Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) Resource System Support Assist with coordinating implementation and ongoing support of SDoH platform used to facilitate connections to community resources, by serving as the primary point of contact with the vendor, supporting system functionality, facilitating communication, and assisting with implementation activities to promote effective platform use. Assist with providing training, technical assistance, and user support to Health Department staff and community partners, including onboarding new users and promoting integration of the SDoH platform into public health programs and workflows. Assist with monitoring platform utilization and performance by reviewing system data and reports, identifying trends, and supporting compliance with applicable program policies and procedures. Assist with preparing and maintaining program documentation to ensure continuity of SDoH connection services and achievement of program objectives.
• 5% Other Duties Possesses a broad understanding of HCHD services and can refer to other programs; Participates in necessary drills and exercises, responds to emergencies as appropriate, keeps abreast of policies and procedures in the program, bureau and department; Completes all required trainings; Participates in quality improvement efforts within the program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health Education, Community Health Education or Health Science. Experience: None. Notes: 1. Candidates may substitute a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 18 credit hours in Public Health Education, Community Health Education, Health Science or related behavioral science and one year of experience in planning, developing, implementing and promoting health education projects for the required education. 2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Health Educator and Community Health classifications or Health Educator and Community Health specialty codes in the Public Health field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The desired candidate should possess the following:

• Experience with coordinating and facilitating health educational workshops, trainings, or outreach events.
• Experience independently planning and coordinating multiple activities, programs, or educational sessions, including managing timelines and competing priorities.
• Experience with public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, including community members and partners.
• Experience using technology, including Microsoft Office Suite and virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, WebEx).
• Experience using data management, reporting, and referral systems to enter, track, maintain, and report information
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to communicate information clearly using plain English.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.