Community Health Worker

Minnesota Merit System; Caledonia (MN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota Merit System seeks a dedicated Community Health Worker to connect residents with health and social services. The role emphasizes education, outreach, and culturally competent care coordination within Houston County and surrounding communities.

The position requires a High School Diploma, CHW certification within 2 years, and 1 year of related experience, with proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Publisher.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• CHW Certification from an accredited program or must obtain within 2 years of hire.
• One year of related Community Health experience.
• Experience in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Publisher.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a bridge between the community and health care, government and social service systems.
• Complete billable and non-billable activities including chronic disease management education.
• Enhance care quality by aiding communication between provider and patient to clarify cultural practices.
• Educate community members about how to use health care and social service systems.
• Educate health and social service systems about community needs and perspectives.
• Increase access to primary care through culturally competent outreach and enrollment strategies.
• Enroll clients into programs such as health insurance and public assistance.
• Link clients to and inform them of available community resources.
• Be a spokesperson for clients when they cannot speak for themselves.

Job description

The following county has a vacancy: Houston County deadline to apply is 08/28/2026 by 4:30 p.m.

As defined by the CHW Section of the American Public Health Association: A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.

• The community health worker serves as a bridge between the community and the health care, government and social service systems.
• The CHW will complete billable and non-billable activities including chronic disease management education.
• Enhance care quality by aiding communication between provider and patient to clarify cultural practices
• Educate community members about how to use the health care and social service systems
• Educate the health and social service systems about community needs and perspectives
• Establish better communication processes
• Increase access to primary care through culturally competent outreach and enrollment strategies
• Make referrals and coordinate services
• Teach people the knowledge and skills needed to obtain care
• Facilitate continuity of care by providing follow-up
• Enroll clients into programs such as health insurance and public assistance
• Link clients to and inform them of available community resources
• Articulate and advocate needs of community and individuals to others
• Be a spokesperson for clients when they are unable to speak for themselves 3. Involve participants in self and community advocacy
• Map communities to help locate and support needed services
• Promote wellness by providing culturally appropriate health information to clients and providers
• Educate clients on disease prevention
• Assist clients in self-management of chronic illnesses and medication adherence
• Provide individual social and health care support
• Organize and/or facilitate support groups
• Refer and link to preventive services through health screenings and healthcare information
• Conduct health related screenings
• Build individual capacity to achieve wellness
• Build community capacity by addressing social determinants of health
• Identify individual and community needs
• Mentor otherCHWs– capacity building
• Seek professional development (continuing education)
• See Minnesota Department of Health website for the Community Health Worker Toolkitas well as general information on theCommunity Health Worker

The examination will consist entirely of a rating of education and experience based on applicants answers to the scored supplemental questions.

Merit System Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification from an accredited program or must obtain within 2 years of hire. (CHW Certification Curriculum)
• One (1) year of related Community Health experience.
• Experience in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Publisher.

An Equal Opportunity and Affiant Action Employer