Public Health Educator

Overview

The employee in this class develops, organizes, and carries out health education programs with and through local health department staff to meet the needs of a community. The work includes data management, analysis, and assessment used to create programs. The position is also responsible for preparing and selecting educational materials, public speaking, teaching, educating a variety of age groups and community groups, preparing required state documentation, and grant writing.

The position completes program reports and maintains the required records associated with the programs. Considerable public contact is involved.

Leads community partners and internal staff through a process of identifying health concerns through Community Health Assessment (CHA), which includes implementing programs to target specific health issues and evaluating the entire process to ensure the programs meet the goals set by the community.

Designs and markets the CHA survey; collects, formats, and assesses data comparing to state and peer counties; and facilitates focus groups to determine county focus areas.

Publishes, submits, and presents CHA results; uses results to build the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

Collects a variety of data, creates charts and graphs, writes and presents reports and narratives explaining trends and outcomes.

Advises and assists other public health personnel in planning and carrying out the educational components of agency programs.

Prepares, selects, assembles, and distributes health educational and informational materials to local agencies, organizations, and other individuals and groups interested in health programs and problems.

Creates public service announcements, news releases, and feature stories for the press, radio, and television to promote agency programs and services.

Presents information at local health fairs, schools, and community organizations concerning health programs.

Serves as substance abuse prevention coalition coordinator for the county-wide substance abuse prevention work plan.

Leads or assists in grant writing and management.

Teaches research-based education classes to diverse populations.

Prepares and presents talks on health topics, and services provided by the health department to civil organizations and other community groups.

Connects community groups and the public to health resources.

Advises and assists other public health personnel in planning and carrying out the educational components of agency programs.

Attends ongoing training and professional development.

Promotes public awareness of programs and performs public presentations.

Prepares and maintains accurate records and files for programs, enters data and completes reports for all programs; submits reports as required.

Additional Job Duties

Represents the health department on a variety of local community committees. Participates in a variety of community outreach efforts.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public health and public health education activities.

Knowledge of the application of information technology to the work.

Knowledge of modern educational theory and techniques in the field of public health education.

General knowledge of community health and human service systems.

General knowledge of display techniques and skill in the arrangement of exhibits.

General knowledge of journalistic principles and methods of preparing subject matter in the promotion of public health activities.

Working knowledge of department and program policies, regulations, and procedures.

Skills

Skill in planning and organizing programs and activities for diverse population groups.

Skill in facilitating and teaching diverse population groups.

Skill in conducting research, collecting primary and secondary data, and writing communication campaigns.

Skill in collaborative conflict resolution, teamwork, and customer service excellence.

Abilities

Ability to communicate and present ideas effectively both orally and in writing, and to stimulate interest and cooperation among various groups in carrying out a program in public health education.

Ability to develop and conduct quantitative and qualitative surveys and collect, code, analyze, and interpret survey data.

Ability to facilitate the development of organizational structures for health-oriented task forces and community groups.

Ability to complete reports and records accurately and thoroughly.

Ability to work independently and reliably complete assigned tasks.

Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.

Ability to work effectively with people on all educational levels and to maintain effective working relationships with local health departments, community agencies, and the public.

Education/Experience

A masters degree in public health education or in public health with a major in public health education; or graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in health education and two years7 experience in public health education or a related field; or…