Title: Health Educator

State Role Title: Health Educators

Hiring Range: $19.00 - $25.00

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 Department as a Health Educator focused on overdose prevention and recovery support for those affected by substance use disorder.

Central Virginia Health District (CVHD) is seeking to hire a Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) to support participants with substance use disorders/mental health illness through their recovery journey. We are interested in self-motivated individuals who have a desire to make a positive impact in the community. The PRS will function as a role model to participants, exhibit competency in the use of coping skills, serve as an advocate, connect participants to needed resources and provide support. It will be essential that the PRS develop their own unique, friendly, welcoming, and respectful way of approaching participants that conveys an attitude of understanding and fosters hope. The role will require leading 1:1 and group sessions in a variety of settings, naloxone training and education, collaboration with community partners and our local substance use prevention coalition, presentations on the PRS role and importance of lived experience and representing CVHD at local events. The PRS will be expected to travel to all localities in the district. Must have valid VA driver's license and pass VDH background check to secure employment.

Part-time, wage position, up to 1500 hours per year (workday/times may vary to cover after hours and weekends when needed).

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

• Certified peer recovery specialist or completion of the 72-hour peer recovery specialist training with a desire to become certified.
• Experience collaborating with community-based organizations.
• Knowledge of local community resources and navigating referrals

Special Instructions

You will be provided with 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.