Title: Health Educator

State Role Title: Education Support Spec II

Hiring Range: $35,000-$40,500

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: NEW RIVER HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/new-river

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts. The New River Health District provides public health services to the residents of Floyd County, Giles County, Montgomery County, Pulaski County and the City of Radford.

The mission of the New River Health Department is to prevent illness and disease, protect the environment, and promote optimal health and emergency preparedness for everyone within the New River Health District. We are people of the community, for the community. Our vision is to drive New River Health District to the peak of personal, environmental, and community health, setting an example for others to follow.

If you are passionate about helping those impacted by substance use, making connections between individuals and the services they need, and working to improve the lives of people in the NRV, this may be the position for you. New River Health District is actively seeking a public health professional to work as a health educator (community health worker) for its Rise Above harm reduction program. Routine duties include but are not limited to setting up the Rise Above program van at various locations throughout the NRV on a rotating schedule; greeting clients interested in harm reduction services; providing health education; making referrals to other health department services and partner agencies; providing harm reduction kits to clients; collecting client data; promoting Rise Above and other health department services to individuals, businesses, communities, and other agencies; et al.

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.

This is a restricted position which is solely funded by the Opioid Abatement grant ending June 2028. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Employment is contingent on the continued availability of grant or non-grant funds.


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 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

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.

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!

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: Nicole Altizer

Phone: 540-585-3327

Email: nicole.altizer@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.