Public Health Educator I 118009702

Cumberland County, NC • 103 Laketree Blvd. Spring Lake, NC

65d

About The Position

The Cumberland County Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Cumberland County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) have received funding to implement an initiative which focuses on primary prevention by utilizing a whole person/family approach and addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). The initiative includes multi-disciplinary Case Management and Care Coordination teams responsive to community referrals to provide care coordination and case management services to address social determinants of health, address social needs, improve health behaviors and health outcomes, improve health equity, and reduce health disparities, reduce preventable hospital stays, and prevent and reduce child abuse and neglect. The Public Health Educator I is an in-home and community-based position. This position will provide evidence-based education to CCDPH patients and DSS clients and follow up with patients after health care visits to assure understanding. This position will cover health and wellness topics such as physical activity and nutrition education, sexual health, chronic disease prevention, tobacco use, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), safe sleep, and fall prevention education. The position will work with individuals and families to address health disparities and advance health equity among historically marginalized and other priority populations.

Requirements

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in health education; or graduation from a four-year college or university and completion of one year of on-the-job training as a public health educator.
• Thorough knowledge of assigned area of responsibility, the principles and practices of public health, community assessment, program development/planning/evaluation, and the methods and techniques of disseminating health information to the public.
• Experience and comfort implementing comprehensive, evidence-based health promotion topics including nutrition, chronic diseases, maternal and child health, unwanted pregnancy and STD/HIV prevention, health promotion and other health topics.
• Experience engaging and working with diverse populations.
• Strong communication skills. Must write and speak effectively and ability to present ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
• Strong presentation, training and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with people of all educational levels and to maintain effective working relationships with department of social services, local health departments, community agencies, and the public.
• Proven problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of how to locate community resources and access services.
• General knowledge of the functions of community health agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental personnel, community organizations, and the general public.
• Ability to coordinate program activities and to develop work schedules.
• Ability to actively support diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within state job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Being self-motivated to learn and have the ability to work in an independent role.
• Must have or obtain and maintain a valid North Carolina driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Public Health, Education, or Health and Human Services.
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
• Bilingual

Responsibilities

• Serve on a multi-disciplinary Case Management and Care Coordination Team with Nutritionist, Social Workers, Public Health Nurse, and an Income Maintenance Case Worker to provide case management and care coordination services in-person (in home and office), by telephone or virtually.
• Plan and/or prepare presentations with fidelity to curriculum or model or health education program topics.
• Work with individuals and families to identify educational needs, initiate community problem-solving, design, recommend and implement health education and prevention strategies.
• Recruit and retain participants for prevention and health promotion programs using both CCDPH and DSS programs and other community partners for resources to recruit and retain participants.
• Conduct health education programs for community partners.
• Organize and coordinate training materials as appropriate.
• Support other health education programs by promoting health education as an agency priority, integrating it with other programs and promoting and cooperation and feedback.
• Establish relationships, communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing and strengthen existing relationships between the health department and the general public, and other health serving community organizations throughout Cumberland County.
• Respond to public health emergencies as required.

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree