HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANT – BILINGUAL

County of Monterey, CA; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Monterey Health Department seeks a Health Education Assistant (Bilingual English/Spanish). The role involves acting as a Community Health Worker, guiding patients to services, and delivering health education in person and by phone across 10 outpatient clinics in Salinas, Seaside, and Marina.

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in public health education or related field, with 2+ years in outreach education in public health or nonprofit settings.

Qualifications

• Education: bachelor’s degree in public health education or related field.
• Experience: two years as a community worker or related outreach education role in public health or nonprofit setting.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required, with passing bilingual oral exam prior to employment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and document patients’ encounters and inform physicians of status.
• Provide individual and/or group counseling and health education.
• Respond to inquiries about health education activities and refer to community health services.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Data management

Word processing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public health education or related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

A Drug-Free Workplace

Invites your interest for the position of

Health Education Assistant - Bilingual (English/Spanish) Required

$5,408 - $7,386 per month

Final Filing Date: October 19, 2026

Exam #: 26/50K19/10MT

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans' preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The County of Monterey Health Department’s Clinic Services Bureau is seeking individuals for the position of Health Education Assistant. The Health Education Assistant (HEA) will perform as a Community Health Worker (CHW) and is responsible for helping patients and their families navigate and access community services and adopt healthy behaviors. Services for patients will be provided in person and over the phone. The HEA will provide comprehensive health education on various health topics, assess the patient's primary health needs, and create culturally relevant action plans. In addition, the HEA will motivate patients to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors through education and outreach efforts. The HEA will act as an advocate to bridge gaps between communities and health and social service systems, and partner with clients to locate and use health services. The HEA will collaborate with clinic team members to identify areas for growth, develop strategic solutions, and participate in grant-funded projects to improve patient outcomes. This role is based in a clinical and office setting.

The Clinic Services Bureau operates 10 outpatient clinics, designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers, serving the underserved population of Monterey County. Clinics are located in Salinas, Seaside, and Marina.

Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

• Monitors and documents patients’ encounters and keeps physicians informed as to their status
• Upon referral from a patient’s medical provider or based on health screenings, provides and facilitates individual and/or group counseling and/or health education
• Responds to inquiries concerning health education activities and functions as a resource of information and performs referral duties regarding general health services available in the community

• Conducts patient assessments, surveys and research to identify health related needs; assess program effectiveness, and determine ways for improvement of services

• Develops and maintains relationships with various community, professional, and government organizations to provide resources to patients and to promote participation in health education programs

• Participates in developing and evaluating educational materials, curriculum and sessions

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Working Knowledge of:

• Basic personal computer usage

Some Knowledge of:

• Concepts of public health services
• Principles, methods and practices of health education
• Medical terminology

Skills and Ability to:

• Compile, organize, analyze, summarize data, and draw logical conclusions
• Operate a personal computer and utilize software for the purposes of data management and word processing
• Communicate effectively to groups and individuals from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; provide excellent customer service

Any combination of training, education, and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

• Education: Completion of course work leading to a bachelor’s degree in public/community health education, education, behavioral or life sciences, sociology, biology or psychology

OR

• Experience: Two years experience as a community worker or a related position which included outreach education experience within a public health or voluntary non-profit health related agency, preferably dealing with at risk populations. Some positions require one year experience working with pregnant women.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish is required. Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates must complete and receive a passing score on the bilingual oral examination prior to employment.

• Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Bargaining Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES:

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans' preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing date of Monday, October 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PST) to [e-mail]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Melanie Takaoka, Human Resources Analyst II, at [phone] or [e-mail].