Public Health Educator I

General Summary

Under general supervision, plans, implements, and evaluates health promotion programs to maximize health outcomes for individuals and communities according to established plans and objectives. This position will support community engagement in Wexford and Missaukee Counties to promote healthy lifestyles primarily related to substance use prevention and environmental health. Engages with local communities and coalition(s) as well as facilitates individual and/or group programming to diverse audiences. Programming includes evidence-based community education and outreach specific to substance use prevention, environmental health, and general health education outreach and programming.

Essential Duties

• Organizes and conducts assigned health promotion programs in a variety of settings to address issues and barriers that influence health, within established objectives and defined parameters.
• Seeks and accepts guidance and critiques from other staff to maximize outcomes. Embraces opportunities to progress to higher levels of professional competency and operate more independently.
• May serve as a health educator in a specialized field of public health and/or provide support in a limited number of program areas and/or communities.
• May provide health screening, risk assessment, and risk reduction counseling.
• May provide individual and group prevention/lifestyle/behavior change programming.
• Identifies community health needs and assets through primary and secondary data sources.
• Maintains health education information and educational resources for use by individuals, community groups, schools, and internal health department units.
• Develops, evaluates, and distributes health information through multiple media venues and community/public information activities.
• Actively participates in community coalitions to support identified health improvement programming; may provide staffing support to county level or topic-specific community workgroups or coalitions.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Participates in training to maintain professional excellence in the field of Public Health.
• Maintains confidential information.
• Performs all other duties as assigned or in response to emergencies, workload or staffing shortages.
• Maintains up-to-date vaccines including flu (influenza), in accordance with CDC guidelines: Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers.

• Bachelor’s degree in health education, community or school health, health promotion, public health or a related field; successful completion of participatory internship preferred.
• Professional certification (CHES or CPS) may be required depending on program requirements.
• CPR certification may be required depending on program assignment.
• Basic understanding of computer technology and social media, and their application to public health practice.
• Ability to work effectively with the public and other employees on projects requiring a team.
• Emotional and mental maturity necessary for establishing and maintaining good working relationships with clients, community partners, and agency personnel.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; excellent public speaking skills.
• Ability to accurately record services and data within established time frames.
• Reliable transportation with a valid Michigan driver’s license and certificate of insurance to travel to other locations for work, trainings, or meetings.

Why work here?

As local public health, we protect and promote the highest level of health possible for the communities we serve. Our positive work culture is strengthened by our commitment to making all employees feel valued and respected.

Our values:

• Integrity
• Service Oriented
• Health Equity
• Communication
• Community Engagement

What we offer:

• Family-first company culture
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Days Off (PDO)
• Personal Days
• Competitive Insurance – 3 options to choose from
• Dental and Vision
• MERS Retirement Plan
• Professional Development opportunities
• Employer Paid Short/Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Weeks 5-12 50% paid Maternity/Paternity leave