Community Health Worker

Title: Community Health Worker

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $42,000-$46,000

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: THREE RIVERS-RICHMOND CTY

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts. Three Rivers Health District serves the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula region which includes the counties of: Richmond, Westmoreland, Northumberland, Lancaster, Essex, Middlesex, Mathews, Gloucester, King & Queen and King William.

This position's focus is community engagement with and service delivery to persons at high risk for poor maternal outcomes. The Community Health Worker position is responsible for providing opportunities to increase the likelihood of positive maternal outcomes through culturally competent education, outreach, and support to pregnant persons throughout their pregnancy and postpartum period, connecting them to necessary healthcare services, addressing social determinants of health, and advocating for their needs within the healthcare system.

Community Health Workers are needed in Middlesex and Richmond County.

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 Social Determinants of Health: Knowledge of the various social, economic, and environmental factors that influence individual and community health, including disparities in access to resources and services.

• Knowledge of Mental/Behavioral Health: Familiarity with the impact of mental and behavioral health on physical health outcomes, including an understanding of common mental health issues and how they intersect with physical health needs.

• Knowledge of Public Health Principles: Basic knowledge of public health practices, epidemiology, disease prevention, health promotion, and social service systems, including the roles of government agencies and community organizations in addressing health needs.

• Community Experience: Experience working with priority or underserved communities, with an understanding of relevant unique challenges and resources.

• Cultural Competency: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations, recognizing and respecting cultural norms, practices, and values within the community.

• Effective Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and verbal formats using plain language that is accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds. This includes the ability to adapt communication styles to meet the needs of different communities served.

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, community members, and

stakeholders. Strong team collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.

• Technology Proficiency: Ability to operate a personal computer and use internet-based tools and applications for data entry, communication, presentations and research.

Additional Considerations

• Proficiency in a second language (especially relevant languages in the community served) is highly preferred to effectively communicate with a broader population.

• Previous experience in a public health or community-based agency environment, with familiarity in coordinating services and supporting public health initiatives.

• Community Health Worker (CHW) certification, or the ability to obtain one after hire.

• Previous experience in supporting or facilitating prenatal care initiatives to enhance maternal health services.

Knowledge of or involvement with doula support.

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.

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, or driving background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

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 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: Carolyn Gibson

Phone:

Email: carolyn.gibson@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.