Health Educator

Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health•Fort Thompson, SD

15h

About The Position

The Health Educator plans, implements, and evaluates culturally responsive health education programs for American Indian individuals, families, and Elders served by the organization. The role combines Tribal teachings, community strengths, and lived experience with evidence-based public health practices to address health disparities and promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The position works within Tribal governance, IHS/638, and community systems to provide respectful, trauma-informed education that honors Tribal sovereignty, value-based identity, and community-defined values. It emphasizes communication, outreach, and travel, and reports to the Program Manager. The role requires participation in Core Connections training and application of GPTLHB Core Connections concepts and practices. Candidates must meet one of the stated education and experience combinations: a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience; an associate’s degree and three years of experience; or a high school diploma or GED and five years of progressively responsible experience. The position requires post-secondary education and/or experience applying an extensive body of rules, procedures, or operations to varied assignments and problem-solving in a technical field. Native American/American Indian hiring preference applies as defined in 25 U.S.C. §§ 44–46 and 474. Employment is contingent on required criminal background checks and a pre-employment drug screen. Employees must comply with job-related health screening and immunization requirements before their first day, including MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, influenza, Tdap, and COVID-19 vaccination.

Requirements

Participate in Core Connections training and apply GPTLHB Core Connections concepts and practices in the work.
Have familiarity with and/or experience working with American Indian populations, and respect for and knowledge of traditional, cultural, and spiritual practices of diverse American Indian communities; be able to work with other culturally and ethnically diverse populations.
Resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision.
Adapt plans and routines when circumstances require, while continuing to perform without negatively affecting the work environment through projected stress or frustration.
Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and overnight or extended travel as necessary.
Effectively present information one-on-one and in small-group settings to community members, consumers, and organizational employees.
Demonstrate proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Internet technologies.
Maintain a current, valid driver’s license and keep certificates, credentials, or licenses current and consistent with applicable regulations.
Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: bachelor’s degree plus one year of experience; associate’s degree plus three years of experience; or high school diploma or GED plus five years of progressively responsible experience.
Have applicable post-secondary education and/or experience applying an extensive body of rules, procedures, or operations to interrelated or nonstandard assignments and resolving a wide range of problems, or applying standard technical-field procedures to such work as adapting equipment, interpreting test results using experience and observations, or extracting and evaluating information from various sources.
Complete required criminal background checks and pre-employment drug screening.
Comply with job-related employee health screening and immunization requirements before the first day of employment, including MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, influenza, Tdap, and COVID-19 vaccination.

Responsibilities

Ensure day-to-day project implementation, outreach, promotional, and collaborative activities with Great Plains Area tribes are completed according to established timelines.
Document and maintain accurate activity records, travel reports, and material dissemination, and provide the Program Manager with progress reports and updates.
Collaborate with health specialists and tribal communities to determine community health needs.
Prepare and distribute culturally appropriate health education materials, including reports and visual aids such as fliers, brochures, and PowerPoint presentations.
Develop and present health education and promotion programs at training workshops, conferences, schools, and community settings.
Disseminate health promotion and disease prevention resources.
Develop, conduct, or coordinate health needs assessments and other public health surveys.
Integrate a culture-based approach into evidence-based practices and best-practice models.
Foster relationships with state and local partners to strengthen program collaborations.
Develop and maintain health education libraries that provide resources for staff and the community.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager.