Community Health Worker

Oakland County; Pontiac (MI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Education assistance program

Job summary

Oakland County Health Division is hiring a Community Health Worker to engage with residents and build partnerships across schools and healthcare providers. The role focuses on equity, outreach, and connecting people to resources in South Oakland County and surrounding areas.

You will educate communities, promote health programs, and document engagement activities in county systems. A GED or high school diploma is required, with 1+ year of outreach experience and reliable transportation.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or GED required.
• At least 1 year of community outreach/field work in a health care setting or supporting community outreach.
• Reliable transportation required.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, and local organizations.
• Engage residents through outreach, workshops, and events.
• Prioritize underserved populations to improve equity in public health initiatives.
• Promote public health programs and encourage participation in services.
• Provide referrals and follow-up to ensure access to resources.
• Deliver culturally responsive communication tailored to communities.

Skills

Community outreach

Public health knowledge

Bilingual abilities

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Overview & Benefits Oakland County is more than just a workplace. It is a place where you can make a real difference. As one of Michigan’s leading public service organizations, we are committed to strengthening communities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for nearly 1.3 million residents. When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven workforce guided by integrity, innovation, and a passion for public service.

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. Please visit: https://www.oakgov.com/government/human-resources/benefits/new-hire for more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks.

General Summary Community Health Worker Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) Location: Onsite throughout South Oakland County as determined by hiring team Salary: $47,787 - $64,025 annually

What You’ll Do

• Build meaningful two-way community partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, and local organizations
• Engage directly with residents through outreach, workshops, and community events
• Focus on equity by prioritizing underserved populations, including seniors, homebound individuals, low-income families, and immigrant communities
• Promote public health programs and encourage participation in services that improve overall well-being
• Provide referrals and follow-up support to ensure individuals successfully access needed resources
• Deliver culturally responsive communication, adapting your approach to meet the unique needs of each community
• Provides services in a variety of community settings, which may include school districts, emergency shelters, and partnerships with first responders, to facilitate access to and coordination of mental health care.
• Educate and build trust by addressing concerns, sharing evidence-based information, and countering misinformation
• Document outreach and engagement efforts using County systems and tools

Why You’ll Love This Job

• Make a real impact - Your work directly improves health outcomes and connects people to life-changing resources
• Be part of something bigger - Support countywide public health initiatives that strengthen entire communities
• Engage with diverse populations - Build relationships across cultures, backgrounds, and experiences
• Work with purpose - Every conversation, referral, and outreach effort contributes to healthier communities
• Grow your career in public health - Gain hands-on experience in community engagement, education, and health promotion

Minimum Qualifications

• Be a high school graduate OR have a certificate of successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) Test.
• Have at least one (1) year of experience with community outreach/field work in a health care setting or supporting community outreach.
• Have reliable transportation.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

• Community Health Worker certification.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities.
• Considerable knowledge of vaccines, sexual health, and related medical terminology.
• Considerable understanding of patient confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Considerable ability to provide non-judgmental and empathetic care to diverse patient populations.
• Considerable ability to multitask and work efficiency in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiar with current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail and Internet software.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employees of this classification must submit to immunizations as required by the Health Division and submit to a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray, at County expense, once a year.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Fosters strong partnerships with community-based organizations, schools, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders.
• Participates in educational workshops and events to promote public health initiatives in the community.
• Prioritizes efforts to reach underserved populations, including seniors, homebound residents, low-income families, immigrants, and individuals with limited access to healthcare services.
• Encourages participation in public health programs and services.
• Provides referrals to community partner agencies and conducts follow-up activities to ensure successful access to resources.
• Provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to assigned clients and communities.
• Tailors communication approaches to suit the needs of specific communities.
• Engages with individuals and families to address their concerns, provide evidence-based information, and build trust in public health.
• Utilizes effective communication strategies to counter misinformation.
• Maintains accurate records of activities including outreach efforts, educational sessions, and community engagement.
• Utilizes current countywide and/or department specific software to complete assignments.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to communicate to accurately convey information.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a typical office environment.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The primary purpose of this job description is to set a fair and equitable salary range for this job classification. Generally, only those key duties necessary for proper job evaluation and/or labor market analysis have been included. Other duties and responsibilities will be assigned by the supervisor.

Union* BU87 - United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 889: Health & Human Services Non-Supv (UAW)

We are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Inclusion Statement Oakland County is committed to welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, including those with prior convictions, as we believe in providing equal opportunities for all. We value the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings to our team and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive workplace.

All ways, MOVING FORWARD

At Oakland County, we offer a stable and supportive work environment, competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, professional development, and generous education assistance program. We value the dedication and hard work of our team and our commitment to the communities we serve - it's at the heart of our success. We're always seeking new ways to enhance our workplace and foster a culture of growth, inclusion, and innovation. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and our future depends on the diverse perspectives, experiences, and talents of our team. Join us on our mission to keep Oakland County a vibrant place to live, work, and play.