Title: Health Counselor

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: $45,335-59,421.50

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: PORTSMOUTH -TW

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Portsmouth Health Department is seeking a full-time Public Health Counselor to provide essential disease intervention services in both clinical and community settings. This position independently identifies and contacts individuals known or suspected of exposure to communicable diseases—including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and other reportable conditions—and delivers client centered counseling, education, and linkage to care. Responsibilities include conducting case investigations, providing partner services, conducting field visits, providing risk reduction counseling, and following up to verify treatment completion and behavior change progress. The counselor also collaborates with medical providers, laboratories, pharmacies, and community organizations to strengthen referral pathways and support public health initiatives.

This role responds to peak demands, participates in outbreak investigations, and supports community based prevention activities, including presentations, screenings, and outreach events. All duties performed by this position are critical functions of a local health department and directly support VDH’s mission to prevent the spread of disease and promote the health of all Virginians. The Public Health Counselor is an essential position whose work ensures timely intervention, accurate surveillance, and effective protection of the community’s health.

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 and/or experience in public health practices, HIV, STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis), HBV/HCV, and other communicable diseases; experience performing phlebotomy
• Effective oral and written communication, organizational and decision-making skills
• Ability to listen, understand and empathize in a culturally sensitive manner, and use motivational skills to build rapport with clients and engagement in disease intervention services; ability to work with diverse populations in diverse settings; develop and make presentations
• Ability to recognize, analyze and solve problems; perform basic mathematical calculations; conduct accurate data entry; maintain confidentiality; comply with program and data security policies and procedures; and work independently during various hours and settings (e.g., field, non-clinical and clinical, office)
• Experience working under pressure (e.g., meeting deadlines, managing competing priorities)
• Possess skill or knowledge of case management; basic computer knowledge/skills, including word processing, electronic mail and data base management
• Effective oral and written communication; organizational; and decision-making skills; bilingual skills are beneficial

Additional Considerations

• Experience working in a social service, public health, or healthcare environment

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 11:59 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 a V3 (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: Tanya Weaver

Phone: 7573938585

Email: Tanya.Weaver@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.