COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATOR

This position provides health education through group and individual encounters and engages community members in a variety of settings on identified and emerging health issues in Cleveland County and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed and supervised under the Director of Community Health Services. The normal work schedule includes Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position frequently is required to provide evening and weekend educational programs and support for Health Department events.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Exhibit competency in developing, implementing and evaluating designated programs (selected reproductive health and safety curriculum, Stacked Deck gambling prevention curriculum) as well as community health programs educating on specific health issues; ability to organize and direct activities for a variety of audiences; ability to plan and carry out evaluation processes. Thorough knowledge of the functions of public health agencies; thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques used in preparing and disseminating educational information and programs; thorough knowledge of techniques involved in preparing graphic materials, exhibits and visual aids; ability to present ideas effectively both orally and in writing; ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, educational and community organizations
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Facilitate classroom instruction to students enrolled in Cleveland County Schools at all levels (elementary, intermediate, middle and high schools) on multiple health topics which may include but are not limited to (1) reproductive health and safety using state and locally-approved evidence-based curricula, (2) gambling prevention using the Stacked Deck curriculum and (3) evidence-based substance misuse prevention education programs. Complete all requirements, including data collection using student/faculty/staff surveys, to ensure program delivery with fidelity.

Participate in agency and community-sponsored coalitions addressing health topics as needed including regular attendance at coalition/committee meetings and special events sponsored by the coalitions. Participation may include but is not limited to the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition, the Strong Teens Youth Council, the Drug Free Cleveland County Coalition and the Minority Health Council.

Serve as and/or assist the coordinator for various agency and community-sponsored coalitions as needed, which includes determining agendas, providing communication and organization of meetings. This may include but is not limited to the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition, the Strong Teens Youth Council, the Drug Free Cleveland County Coalition and the Minority Health Council.

Facilitate delivery of services such as the SOAR program to students who violate the substance abuse policies of Cleveland County Schools focusing on education and prevention delivered to individuals and/or groups. Obtain and maintain certification in the use of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) as an assessment tool to determine the most appropriate strategies to engage students in substance misuse education and prevention.

Obtain/maintain certification as a BLS-CPR instructor and facilitate delivery of certification and re-certification in BLS-CPR for employees of the Cleveland County Health Department and the Department of Social Services.

Facilitate delivery of the Safe Sitter program for middle school students in collaboration with the HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County and the Safe Kids Coalition of Cleveland County.
In collaboration with CCHD staff and other Community Health Educators, research and develop patient-centered opportunities to increase access to healthy foods and access to opportunities for physical activity. Assist in the delivery of the Med-South Lifestyle program to targeted populations in the county to enhance education about healthy food choices. Assist, when appropriate, in the delivery of the T2 Diabetes Prevention Program.

Participate in community engagement programming using the Suitcase Presentations for youth and adults developed by the health education unit. Market the programs to church and community organizations, assign responsibilities for implementation to health education staff members and oversee the delivery of the programs. Include an evaluation component for each program delivered.

Provide general support for all activities involving the health education/health promotion unit and the clinical areas of the Cleveland County Health Department on an as-needed basis.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:
Bachelor's Degree in health education, health promotion, public health or related health field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Certification as CHES preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing frequently requires sitting and occasionally requires standing, walking, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements
Valid Driver's License

By General Statue 166A-19.3, Departments of Health and Human Services are agencies that are a part of the State Emergency Response Team for occurrences or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or man-made accidental, military, paramilitary, terrorism, weather-related, public health, explosion-related, riot-related cause, or technological failure or accident, including, but not limited to, a cyber incident, an explosion, a transportation accident, a radiological accident, or a chemical or other hazardous material incident. In the event that the State Emergency Response Team is activated, this position will be required to participate if deemed necessary.

APPLICATION PROCESS: All applications must complete and submit an online application form at www.clevelandcounty.com by the closing date.

SELECTION PROCESS: Selection will be by structured interview. Applications will be reviewed to select the best-qualified applicants for admission to a structured interview. This position is subject to pre-employment drug screening and background check.

Cleveland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

22.85/hr. (Compensation will be based on experience)

Salary Range