Community Health Worker

Active Generations; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Active Generations in Sioux Falls, SD seeks a Community Health Worker (CHW) to help individuals navigate health, social, and community resources, supporting safe, independent living. This non-clinical role emphasizes relationship-building, education, and care coordination within a community-based setting.

The CHW connects clients to healthcare, social services, public benefits, transportation, nutrition, housing, and Active Generations programs, while advocating for their needs and maintaining

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• CHW certification or willingness to obtain within established timeframe.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with participants and identify needs, barriers, and supports.
• Connect participants with healthcare, social services, benefits, transportation, nutrition, housing, and Active Generations programs.
• Assist with navigation of healthcare and community service systems through education, guidance, and referrals.
• Conduct outreach, home visits, and wellness check-ins to maintain engagement and address referrals.
• Advocate for participants and maintain professional boundaries.
• Coordinate with healthcare providers, caregivers, and community organizations, escalating concerns as needed.
• Maintain confidential documentation of contacts, referrals, outcomes, and program data.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

Advocacy

Documentation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate/Bachelor in related field

CHW certification or willingness to obtain

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Community Health Worker

Full Time Sioux Falls, SD, US

Salary Range: $24.00 To $26.00 Annually

TITLE: Community Health Worker

For more than 50 years, Active Generations has been a trusted leader in supporting adults through wellness programs, essential services, and meaningful community connections. With a growing team across multiple locations, we continue to evolve and expand our impact while staying grounded in our mission.

Our work centers on creating environments where people can thrive—physically, socially, and emotionally. Through wellness and nutrition programs, caregiving services, and opportunities for connection, our team works together to promote active lifestyles and overall well-being. We’re guided by teamwork, compassion, and adaptability, and we’re looking for individuals who want their work to have genuine purpose and lasting impact.

SUMMARY:

As a Community Health Worker (CHW), you’ll help individuals navigate health, social, and community resources that support their ability to live safely and independently. Serving as a trusted connection between participants, healthcare providers, community organizations, and Active Generations programs, the CHW helps identify barriers, connect individuals with appropriate resources, provide education, and support, and follow up to promote successful outcomes.

This is a community-based, non-clinical position focused on relationship building, care coordination, resource navigation, and addressing social factors that may impact an individual’s health and well-being.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Build trusting relationships with participants and serve as a consistent point of contact to identify needs, goals, barriers, and available supports.
• Connect participants with appropriate healthcare, social services, public benefits, transportation, nutrition, housing, caregiver support, Active Generations programs, and other community resources.
• Help participants navigate healthcare and community service systems by providing education, resource guidance, and support with referrals, applications, and other non-clinical processes.
• Conduct participant outreach, home visits, follow-up contacts, and wellness check-ins to support continued engagement and determine whether identified needs and referrals have been addressed.
• Support individuals transitioning from healthcare settings back into their homes or communities by connecting them with appropriate resources and services.
• Advocate for participants and help them communicate their needs, preferences, questions, and concerns while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Coordinate and collaborate with healthcare providers, caregivers, community organizations, social service agencies, and Active Generations team members as appropriate.
• Recognize and appropriately escalates health, safety, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other concerns to program leadership, emergency services, or qualified professionals according to established procedures.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of participant contacts, referrals, services, follow-up activities, and outcomes.
• Collect and maintain information needed for program reporting, grant requirements, quality improvement, and outcome measurement.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources and positive working relationships with organizations and service providers throughout the community.
• Participate in community outreach, educational activities, meetings, and events that support program goals and increase awareness of available resources.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by program management.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, community health, public health, healthcare, sociology, psychology, or a related field preferred.
• Community Health Worker certification or willingness to obtain certification within an established timeframe.
• Previous experience in community health, human services, social services, healthcare navigation, case management, senior services, outreach, or a related field preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Strong interpersonal, communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills. Ability to establish trust and work effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, circumstances, and levels of health literacy. Knowledge of or ability to learn local healthcare, social service, public benefit, and community resource systems. Strong problem-solving and resource-navigation skills with the ability to identify barriers and develop practical solutions.

Ability to work independently in community-based settings while collaborating effectively with an interdisciplinary team. Demonstrates empathy, patience, cultural awareness, professionalism, and sound judgment. Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and recognize when concerns require escalation to clinical or other qualified professionals.

Strong organizational and documentation skills with the ability to manage multiple participants, referrals, follow-ups, deadlines, and priorities. Comfortable using electronic documentation systems, email, mobile devices, and other technology required for program operations. Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive participant information.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Regularly sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout the workday.
• Frequently enter and exit a vehicle and travel between community locations.
• Navigate participant homes, healthcare facilities, community organizations, and other environments that may have varying levels of accessibility.
• Use a computer, telephone, mobile device, and other office equipment for extended periods.
• Communicate effectively in person, by telephone, electronically, and in community settings.
• Lift and carry materials or supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Travel locally and work in varying weather and environmental conditions as required.

This position is primarily in person and includes work at Active Generations facilities, participant homes, healthcare settings, community organizations, and other locations throughout the service area. Regular local travel is required. The CHW may work independently in community settings and encounter varying environmental conditions. Schedules may be adjusted based on participant appointments, outreach activities, community events, and program needs.

This position is non-clinical. The Community Health Worker does not diagnose conditions, provide medical advice, independently interpret medical information, administer medications, or perform duties requiring a licensed healthcare professional. Clinical questions or concerns must be referred to an appropriately licensed provider.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:

Reports to: Aging in Place Manager.

Direct reports: None.

ACCOMMODATION:

Active Generations is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants or employees who require accommodation during the application or employment process should contact Human Resources.