Virginia Cooperative Extension Community Health Worker

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's Northwest District Office is seeking a Community Health Worker to connect communities with health and social services, deliver evidence-based health promotion programs, and lead presentations on nutrition, activity, and resource management.

Required: high school diploma or GED, 60-hour Virginia-approved CHW training within two months, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to use Word, Excel, email, and video conferencing.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Complete 60-hour Virginia-approved CHW training within two months of employment.
• Knowledge of local/regional community and culture, including social service programs.
• Experience with diverse backgrounds and helping others develop healthy living skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and listening skills; strong interpersonal abilities.
• Proficient with Word, Excel, email and video-conferencing; able to learn new tools.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Computer literacy

Adaptability to new technology

Cultural competency

Bilingual basics

Education

High school diploma or GED

60-hour Virginia-approved CHW training

2-year or 4-year college degree (preferred)

Tools

Word

Excel

Email

Video conferencing

Job description

Job Description

Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Community Health Workers (CHW) act as a vital link between community members and health/social services, focusing on education, outreach, and support to improve nutrition security and health outcomes. CHWs assist with delivering evidence-based health promotion programs. They also conduct presentations and workshops on topics like nutrition, nutrition security, physical activity, economic well-being and resource management, and chronic disease prevention and management. They connect participants in VCE programs with local organizations, agencies and resources to support healthy eating and active lifestyles.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• If not already a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) or have not completed a Virginia-approved basic CHW training, complete the 60-hour training approved by the Virginia Certification Board* within two months of employment
• Knowledge of local/regional community and culture, including social service programs
• Experience working directly with individuals from broad backgrounds, especially those with limited resources
• Experience communicating educational information and helping individuals to develop skills related to healthy eating and active living
• Excellent written, verbal and listening skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated computer literacy, including Word, Excel, email, and video-conferencing
• Demonstrated ability to learn adopt new and emerging technology tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Community Health Worker with experience working as a CHW
• Lived experience navigating challenges related to social drivers of health (e.g. food or housing insecurity)
• Basic bilingual skills (English/Spanish)
• 2-year or 4-year college degree

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$22.00 - $26.00 per hour

Hours per week

Avg. of 29 hours per week (not to exceed 1,500 hours May 1 - April 30)

Review Date

November 6, 2026

Additional Information

Unable to sponsor work visas

This position is housed in the Northwest District Office

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim(That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Paige Riddle at [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.