Title: Community Health Worker
State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III
Hiring Range: $40,000-$55,000
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: CHESAPEAKE HQ
Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/chesapeake
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, visionand life
insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave!
Are you committed to fostering health equity and improving the well-being of the community?
The Chesapeake Health Department is seeking a detail-oriented professional with strong
community engagement skills to support navigation and coordination of maternal services. We are hiring a Community Health Worker (CHW) to serve as a vital link between the community and healthcare services, with a focus on providing culturally sensitive care and communication to the maternal population. This position supports the Baby Care (BC) program, working to improve maternal health outcomes though direct support for individuals and their families.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in the health department and with other community stakeholders, facilitating maternal health
improvement initiatives, health promotion, health education, disease prevention activities,
capacity building, community engagement and outreach.
The CHW is also integral to supporting community level assessments including community health assessments (CHA), and community health improvement plans (CHIP). Other duties include preparing reports and documentation for program and grant purposes as well as sharing findings through oral presentations, social media, journal articles, and other written forms of communication to both internal and external stakeholders.
The ideal candidate has exceptional verbal and written communication skills, is proficient in computer software and digital tools, uses exemplary customer service skills to engage with a wide variety of people and organizations, has excellent attention to detail, is creative, a critical thinker with the ability to problem solve independently, and can rapidly re-prioritize and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
In the event of a local public health emergency and/or an emergency declaration by the Governor, this position may be required to assume other duties for the districts’ emergency preparedness and response (EP&R) activities. During declared emergencies, this will require an adjustment to work hours, location, job duties as well as participation in trainings to meet public health business needs. Additional potential work-schedule variations include participation in community outreach events and other EP&R assignments, such as communicable disease and epidemiological investigation events.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum KSAs:
•Knowledge of Social Determinants of Health: Knowledge of the various social, economic, and environmental factors that influence individual and community health, including disparities in access to resources and services.
•Knowledge of Mental/Behavioral Health: Familiarity with the impact of mental and behavioral health on physical health outcomes, including an understanding of common mental health issues and how they intersect with physical health needs.
•Knowledge of Public Health Principles: Basic knowledge of public health practices, epidemiology, disease prevention, health promotion, and social service systems, including the roles of government agencies and community organizations in addressing health needs.
•Community Experience: Experience working with priority or underserved communities, with an understanding of relevant unique challenges and resources.
•Cultural Competency: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations, recognizing and respecting cultural norms, practices, and values within the community.
•Effective Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal formats using plain language that is accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds. This includes the ability to adapt communication styles to meet the needs of different communities served.
•Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, community members, and stakeholders. Strong team collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
•Technology Proficiency: Ability to operate a personal computer and use internet-based tools and applications for data entry, communication, and research
Additional Considerations
•Proficiency in a second language (especially relevant languages in the community served) is highly preferred to effectively communicate with a broader population.
•Previous experience in a public health or community-based agency environment, with familiarity in coordinating services and supporting public health initiatives.
•Community Health Worker (CHW) certification, or the ability to obtain one after hire.
· Certified as a Community Health Worker, or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.
· Experience working in and navigating the structure of government organizations.
· Experience working with Federal/State Grant Funded initiatives & programs.
· Certified Healthy Heart Ambassador and/or Healthy Heart Ambassador Facilitator
· Certified PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coach, or equivalent experience delivering health education focused on healthy habits and nutrition.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHS IG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, or other background checks prior to employment may be required for certain positions. Completion of Statement of Economic Interests will be required upon employment
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date.
Resume may be submitted in lieu of fully completed application. Please be sure all pertinent work experience is included on your resume. It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with
race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. As aV3 (Virginia Values Veterans) organization, VDH honors the Commonwealth’s veteran’s hiring preference. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
State agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement.
For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Contact Information
Name: Natalie Newby
Phone: Please refer to email
Email: natalie.newby@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.