Working Title: Community Health Worker (Part-Time, Three Positions)

State Role Title: Education Support Specialist III

Position Type: Part-time - Wage / Part-time Salaried

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Health and Behavioral Studies

Department: 529536 - CSHD-MP3

Pay Band: 4

Pay Rate: Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $27/hour 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 11/18/2026

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

JMU offers several perks to all employees including:
• A Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
• Free Access to the University Recreation Center (UREC): Employees can enjoy facility access and program registration privileges at UREC and University Park. This includes the climbing wall, equipment centers, and group exercise studios.
• A variety of voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Identity Theft and Legal Protection Plans, and several other supplemental benefits.
• Holiday Breaks: The university is granted 12 holidays a year.
• Talent Development Trainings: The Talent Development department offers a wide variety of personal and professional trainings, eligible for all employees to join.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

The Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services (IIHHS) is accepting applications for three Community Health Workers (CHWs) to support Community Health Education programming and strengthen outreach efforts within the communities we serve.

The Central Shenandoah Maternal Produce Prescription Program (CS-MP3) connects pregnant and postpartum individuals experiencing food insecurity with monthly produce prescriptions, personalized nutrition education, care coordination, and community resources. Through partnerships with regional healthcare providers, public health organizations, and food access agencies, the program seeks to improve maternal nutrition and support positive health outcomes for mothers and infants throughout the region.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) hired for this project serve as the primary link between CS-MP3 participants, healthcare partners, and community-based organizations. Working 29 hours per week, CHWs build and maintain community partnerships and referral networks; monitor produce prescription and voucher utilization, participant engagement, and program outcomes; deliver nutrition education and resource navigation services; and provide ongoing case management support to pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families. Through these efforts, CHWs help participants access essential services, address barriers to care, and achieve improved health and well-being.

Community Health Education is one of many programs and clinics within the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services (IIHHS). IIHHS is a forward-thinking and dynamic organization that strives to cultivate a shared sense of purpose in building healthier and safer communities where all individuals can thrive and flourish. IIHHS is housed within JMU’s College of Health and Behavioral Studies (CHBS).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Partnership & Referral Coordination: Maintain working relationships with the required healthcare partner(s) and community-based organization partner(s); support bi-directional referrals so eligible pregnant and postpartum women are identified, referred, and enrolled without duplicating existing federal programs (e.g., WIC, Healthy Start).

Referral & Redemption Tracking: Maintain the referral log and monthly voucher/prescription redemption tracking system; report redemption rates and enrollment/reach numbers to the Community Health Education Program Manager for review.

Nutrition Education: Deliver evidence-informed nutrition education sessions, individual, group, in-person, virtual, or hybrid, covering fruit/vegetable intake, chronic disease prevention, and healthy food preparation.

Outreach & Enrollment: Identify and engage eligible pregnant and postpartum women in low-income and underserved urban/rural areas; conduct home, clinic, or community visits and help address transportation barriers to participation.

Case Management: Manage a caseload of participant files from enrollment (ideally <16 weeks’ gestation) through 6 months postpartum and beyond; ensure timely collection of core metrics (fruit/vegetable intake, food security, health status, birth outcomes) at each required time point.

Data Quality Support: Accurately record participant-level data in accordance with Data Use Agreements; contribute to RE-AIM evaluation data collection and Coordinating Center reporting.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications
• Previous experience in community outreach, health education, or social services, ideally serving maternal or family populations
• Previous Community Health Worker training, or willingness to participate in JMU-provided Community Health Worker training within six months of hire
• Familiarity with case management, data tracking, and public benefit programs (e.g., SNAP, WIC, Medicaid/CHIP)
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel within the service area

Additional Considerations
• Bilingual ability a plus

Additional Posting Information:

Community Health Workers will maintain a presence at the IIHHS office in Harrisonburg for meetings, training, and administrative responsibilities while also working extensively in community and clinical settings. These positions primarily serve Augusta County and Rockbridge County and may provide support throughout the Central Shenandoah Health District, including Bath, Highland, Rockingham, and the Cities of Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, Buena Vista, and Waynesboro.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

This is a part-time wage position working up to an average of 29 hours per week over the course of a calendar year with no benefits.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.