Black Infant Health Community Health Worker

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department•Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA

About The Position

The Strengthening Families Division is hiring a full-time (1.0 FTE), project-based Community Health Worker to support the Black Infant Health Program in Pierce County. This entry-professional role supports prevention strategies, community health promotion, and policy development. It involves substantial individual client contact, referrals to community programs and resources, and engagement with community organizations to promote Department initiatives. The position is project-funded through December 19, 2027, and works independently under a supervisor while following established directives and confidentiality requirements. The Community Health Worker provides culturally relevant support to Black pregnant and parenting individuals, including health education, resource navigation, referrals, and coordination with care providers and community partners. The role also supports planning and evaluation, program data collection and reporting, community events and trainings, and exploration of sustainable funding and implementation strategies for doula services. Work may take place in offices, community settings, nursing facilities, cultural centers, and potentially private residences, with local or regional travel. The starting hourly wage is $31.87–$34.12, with a full range of $31.87–$43.11 per hour. The position includes insurance benefits, retirement plan options, leave accruals, annual cost-of-living salary increases, and employee programs. Emergency response duties outside the regular job description may be assigned when public health responds to an emergency.

Requirements

Associate’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications.
Three years of relevant experience in a health, environmental, education, government, or other public-sector organization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driver’s abstract before employment.
Birth doula certification.
Close experience living and/or working directly with Black or African American communities.
At least one year of experience working in maternal and child health or a related field.
Complete a Community Health Worker Training Program within the first six months of hire.
Intermediate knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs, databases, and virtual meeting software.
Knowledge of marketing and communications principles and presentation techniques for culturally diverse audiences.
Skill in meeting facilitation.
Knowledge of health promotion education principles, practices, methods, and materials creation.
Knowledge of social science assessment, intervention, and consultation principles and practices.
Strong organizational skills.
Interviewing and assessment skills for culturally and socio-economically diverse populations.
Knowledge of community resources and agencies.
Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential data and use discretion when sharing information.
Effective listening and communication skills, including clear, audience-appropriate speaking and writing and the ability to interpret written information and nonverbal cues.
Ability to work independently under supervision and follow established directives, procedures, and confidentiality policies.
Ability to engage in self-reflection and demonstrate personal accountability, resilience, flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to learn and model agency values and ethical standards.
Ability to use restorative practices and conflict resolution, collaborate with diverse partners, apply evidence-informed practices, and communicate and engage across cultures.
Ability to meet the physical and cognitive demands described in the posting, including prolonged sitting or standing, computer use, outdoor work, local driving, and lifting or moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Ability to participate in emergency preparedness activities and, when assigned, perform duties outside the regular job description under different working conditions and physical requirements.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience working with underserved communities.
Peer lactation specialist certification or higher.
Childbirth education training.
Past recipient of services.

Responsibilities

Provide direct support to Black pregnant and parenting individuals by connecting them with culturally relevant behavioral health, perinatal peer support, prenatal care, spiritual support, and other social and material resources through text, email, phone, and in-person contact.
Provide one-on-one resource navigation and facilitate care conferences with clients’ providers when needed.
Educate clients on topics including pregnancy, lactation, when to go to the hospital, child development, family planning, and attachment.
Connect clients with nursing and behavioral health support as needed, and support their economic and education goals.
Research sustainable funding strategies for doula services, including Medicaid reimbursement requirements, billing processes, and implementation models.
Collaborate with staff, healthcare providers, community partners, and stakeholders to assess opportunities for integrating doula services, develop recommendations, and support implementation planning.
Monitor policy, regulatory, and funding developments and translate findings into practical program strategies and workflows.
Attend required meetings and trainings, including Community Health Worker and perinatal collaborative meetings, staff trainings, and community meetings.
Provide technical assistance for client social events and support groups, Community Health Worker trainings, community meetings, and other program activities.
Assist with program evaluation and contract reporting, including data collection and reporting using basic data collection tools.
Build rapport with clients; provide understandable health education and information; and address barriers to accessing services.
Gather, share, and assess information to identify effective, evidence-based, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed interventions.
Help clients navigate healthcare systems and public health programs by phone and in person, and connect them to community resources and services.
Engage community partners to increase awareness of and prevent public health issues, including violence, childhood health and mortality, oral health, and substance use.
Identify health-related social needs and refer clients to local services for housing, food, personal safety, transportation, childcare, chronic disease management, maternal and child health, behavioral health, and medical care.
Collect and maintain accurate program data and records, and gather and maintain information about target populations and communities.
Conduct educational and informational programs for culturally diverse audiences, including staff, clients, community groups, and professionals.
Build and maintain relationships with community partners; collaborate with clients, coalitions, businesses, schools, providers, and organizations to plan, coordinate, and staff community events.
Participate in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program if required.
Follow workplace safety procedures, report unsafe conditions, operate equipment and vehicles safely, and perform assigned emergency response duties and preparedness activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.