Community Health Worker

Virginia-Department-of-Healt; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) is seeking a dedicated Community Health Worker to serve as part of our team of public health professionals. This role focuses on building trusted relationships in the Charlottesville area, connecting residents to essential health and community resources, and supporting the WIC program for maternal/child health.

You will work with local partners to improve health outcomes and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of social determinants of health and how they affect access to resources.
• Understanding of mental/behavioral health and its impact on health outcomes.
• Fundamental public health practices and disease prevention.
• Experience working with priority or underserved communities.
• Ability to communicate with diverse populations and adapt styles.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork abilities.
• Proficiency with computers and electronic documentation systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct community outreach and build relationships across BRHD communities including Charlottesville and surrounding counties.
• Assist in enrolling families in WIC programs and related services.
• Connect residents to healthcare, social services, transportation, and food access.
• Provide culturally responsive health education and support disease prevention.
• Develop relationships with local organizations and healthcare providers.
• Support CHIP initiatives and identify community needs and opportunities.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up with community members and partners.
• Maintain accurate documentation using BRHD systems and platforms.
• Assist with BRHD car seat and crib distribution programs.
• Communicate professionally with community members and partners via in-person and digital channels.
• Participate in program evaluation, data collection, meetings, and trainings.

Skills

Knowledge of Social Determinants of H

Knowledge of Mental/Behavioral Health

Knowledge of Public Health Principles

Community Experience

Cultural Competency

Effective Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Technology Proficiency

Education

CHW certification

Job description

Title: Community Health Worker

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $45,023 - $56,925

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: BLUE RIDGE HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/blue-ridge

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Maternal Child Health Title V grant for a two-year period ending 6/30/28. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) is seeking a dedicated Maternal Child Health (MCH) Community Health Worker (CHW) to serve as part of our team of public health professionals. In this community-facing role, you will build trusted relationships with residents, connect individuals and families to essential health and community resources, and work alongside local partners to improve health and wellbeing. The CHW will work directly in the BRHD Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program, supporting clients with enrolling in WIC services and seeking other maternal/child health related support services.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct community outreach and build relationships with residents throughout the Blue Ridge Health District, including the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties.
• Work in WIC clinics at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department and/or in local hospital settings to enroll and register families in WIC.
• Connect individuals and families to healthcare, social services, transportation, food access, and other community resources based on identified needs.
• Provide culturally responsive health education and support disease prevention and health promotion activities in community and clinical settings.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with local organizations, healthcare providers, and other community partners.
• Support implementation of BRHD’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) initiatives in BRHD and help identify emerging community needs, barriers, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Coordinate referrals and follow up with community members and partner organizations to support successful connections to services.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of outreach, referrals, services, and program activities using BRHD computer systems and other electronic platforms.
• Assist with managing the BRHD car seat and crib distribution programs.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with community members, coworkers, and partner organizations through in-person, telephone, email, and other electronic communication.
• Participate in program evaluation, data collection, team meetings, trainings, and other BRHD Population Health activities.

Successful candidates must demonstrate strong professionalism, reliability, interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to quickly build rapport to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Basic computer literacy is essential, including the ability to confidently use email, electronic documentation systems, Microsoft Office applications, virtual meeting platforms, and other technology required for daily work.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a mission-driven team working to achieve the Virginia Department of Health’s vision of becoming the healthiest state in the nation. At BRHD, you’ll be part of a team that is deeply embedded in the community, working together with local partners to address real-world health challenges and create lasting change. This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact on public health while growing your leadership and community engagement skills.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan), as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of Social Determinants of Health: Knowledge of the various social, economic, and environmental factors that influence individual and community health, including disparities in access to resources and services.
• Knowledge of Mental/Behavioral Health: Familiarity with the impact of mental and behavioral health on physical health outcomes, including an understanding of common mental health issues and how they intersect with physical health needs.
• Knowledge of Public Health Principles: Basic knowledge of public health practices, epidemiology, disease prevention, health promotion, and social service systems, including the roles of government agencies and community organizations in addressing health needs.
• Community Experience: Experience working with priority or underserved communities, with an understanding of relevant unique challenges and resources.
• Cultural Competency: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations, recognizing and respecting cultural norms, practices, and values within the community.
• Effective Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal formats using plain language that is accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds. This includes the ability to adapt communication styles to meet the needs of different communities served.
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, community members, and stakeholders. Strong team collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Technology Proficiency: Ability to operate a personal computer and use internet-based tools and applications for data entry, communication, and research

Additional Considerations

• Proficiency in a second language (especially relevant languages in the community served) is highly preferred to effectively communicate with a broader population.
• Previous experience in a public health or community-based agency environment, with familiarity in coordinating services and supporting public health initiatives.
• Community Health Worker (CHW) certification, or the ability to obtain one after hire.
• Experience working with WIC or maternal/child health related programs.

Contact Information

Name: Tammy Richardson / Richard Bolden

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] / [e-mail]

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note

Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!