Title: Community Health Worker (Nelson County)

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $45,023 - $56,925

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: BLUE RIDGE-NELSON

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/blue-ridge

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) is seeking a dedicated Community Health Worker (CHW) to serve Nelson County as part of our team of public health professionals. In this community-facing role, you will build trusted relationships with residents, connect individuals and families to essential health and community resources, and work alongside local partners to improve health and wellbeing. The CHW will serve as an important link between Nelson County communities, BRHD, healthcare providers, and community organizations, with particular attention to priority and underserved populations.

What You’ll Do:
· Conduct community outreach and build relationships with residents throughout Nelson County.
· Connect individuals and families to healthcare, social services, transportation, food access, and other community resources based on identified needs.
· Provide culturally responsive health education and support disease prevention and health promotion activities in community and clinical settings.
· Develop and maintain strong working relationships with local organizations, healthcare providers, and other community partners.
· Support implementation of BRHD’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) initiatives in Nelson County and help identify emerging community needs, barriers, and opportunities for collaboration.
· Coordinate referrals and follow up with community members and partner organizations to support successful connections to services.
· Maintain accurate and timely documentation of outreach, referrals, services, and program activities using BRHD computer systems and other electronic platforms.
· Communicate professionally and effectively with community members, coworkers, and partner organizations through in-person, telephone, email, and other electronic communication.
· Participate in program evaluation, data collection, team meetings, trainings, and other BRHD Population Health activities.

Successful candidates must demonstrate strong professionalism, reliability, interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to quickly build rapport to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Basic computer literacy is essential, including the ability to confidently use email, electronic documentation systems, Microsoft Office applications, virtual meeting platforms, and other technology required for daily work.

Why Join Us? You’ll be part of a mission-driven team working to achieve the Virginia Department of Health’s vision of becoming the healthiest state in the nation. At BRHD, you’ll be part of a team that is deeply embedded in the community, working together with local partners to address real-world health challenges and create lasting change. This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact on public health while growing your leadership and community engagement skills.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan), as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

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.

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. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the 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. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

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. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Tammy Richardson / Richard Bolden

Phone: 434-422-4556 / 434-972-6271

Email: Tammy.Richardson@vdh.virginia.gov / Richard.Bolden@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.