Title: Health Educator

State Role Title: Education Support Spec II

Hiring Range: $40,000-$50,000

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CENT VA-LYNCHBURG CITY-Cen-TW

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Consider joining the Virginia Department of Health as we foster healthy and resilient communities. This is your opportunity to serve the public in the Population Health Program as a Health Educator.

Provides educational services for a portion of a district in support of one or more programs. Characteristic activities: trains, educates, and provides information to the public and staff on health educational programs; prepares news releases; reviews, develops, and orders educational materials.

As a direct contact to the public and clients on sensitive health issues, may respond to calls received and make appropriate referrals as needed. Provides requested information, and may serve to address emotional, technical, or social resources to callers. Works with considerable independence and demonstrates a wide array of communication and social skills in dealing with a diverse population.

The Central Virginia Health District is seeking a health educator/peer recovery specialist to work in their Partnering 4 Recovery program. This position will support local recovery court efforts & alumni programs, provide naloxone education, and coordinate with our local substance use prevention coalition. This is an exciting opportunity to enhance the district’s recovery community through education, data informed decisions and community partnerships.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDH offers excellent employee benefits including health and life insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short- and Long-Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.

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

Special Assignments:

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. May be required by VDH to adjust work hours, location, and job duties and participate in training to meet public health business needs, including emergencies. If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of common community health problems; public/private health care practices; community organizing, survey methods and use of data and health education principles
• Skills in program planning, implementations and evaluation; community assessment and organization; writing reports and program plans; public speaking; managing group dynamics and providing consultation with other professionals and the general public
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; utilize excellent interpersonal skills; maintain good working relationships; work independently with minimal supervision; execute problem solving skills; make appropriate decisions and develop program goals and objectives; evaluate program outcomes, impacts and processes

Additional Considerations

• Experience with computers and Microsoft Office software preferred
• Bilingual preferred
· Proficiency in a second language (especially relevant languages in the community served) is highly preferred to effectively communicate with a broader population.
· Certified Peer Recovery Specialist with more than 2 years of experience
· Experience of collaborating with recovery court teams
· Experience engaging with substance use and recovery-focused coalitions and community programs
· Holds current CPR/First Aid Certification
· Completed Rapid REVIVE! Lay Rescuer Training

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. 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. 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. 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! Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Cortez Jackson

Phone: n/a

Email: cortez.jackson@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.