Community Health Worker

About the role

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County seeks a Community Health Worker to connect community members to services that address chronic health conditions, preventive health care needs, and health-related social needs. The position reports to the Wellness & Nutrition Director and does not supervise any staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide information and referrals to community resources necessary to improve health or address health-related social needs, including food and nutrition, housing security, economic support, and legal services.
• Report on program implementation, data of individuals receiving assistance, and client stories sharing highlights, challenges, and recommendations.
• Receive orders at the site, unload, sort, and place items on tables for distribution to participants.
• Maintain proper USDA recordkeeping of participants receiving food; including accurate data collection to track participant numbers, inventory levels, and required demographic data.
• Build community and relationships with participants, connecting to common values.
• Communicate any program-site-related issues to the Supervisor and/or Programs team to collaborate on solutions.
• As needed, collect additional data (demographics, participant, or volunteer surveys) at the site to contribute to shared knowledge.
• Take the lead on the Community Needs Assessment activities to better understand community needs and perceptions, and better inform them of what the team can do to attract more participants.

Qualifications

• Community Health Worker certification required.
• Experience in the healthcare field, as a CHW or in a similar role, preferred.
• Experience working in community settings, particularly with underserved populations.
• Knowledge of community resources and social services.
• High degree of flexibility, ability to multitask, and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality of information.
• Demonstrate respect, concern, and empathy for the needs of participants/clients.
• Outgoing, punctual, professional self-starter who enjoys being part of a team that thrives on helping others to support local healthcare delivery.
• Cooperative attitude and willingness to learn.
• Ability to communicate respectfully with people from different racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, and from diverse backgrounds and lifestyles; sensitivity and understanding of diverse socio-economic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of residents in the community-at-large.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, exercise independent judgment, and to demonstrate flexibility in balancing the needs of various programs and staff.
• Strong computer skills, including spreadsheet and word processing to generate files and manipulate data, utilize spreadsheet and word processing tools.

Other requirements

• Bilingual English/Spanish required. Bicultural strongly preferred.
• Must be able to work evenings and some weekends in order to best reach the community.
• Must have access to a motor vehicle, as well as valid auto insurance coverage, for occasional driving on the job.
• Must have valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record, as documented by a current MVR (will be obtained by the Food Bank’s insurance carrier).
• Participate in Food Safety/Food Defense programs.
• In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency, Second Harvest is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all of its employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.
• Demonstrate full adherence to the Code of Conduct and all policies/procedures related to compliance.

Physical requirements

This position requires regular local travel (60%) within Santa Cruz County.

Worksite

800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, CA 95076

Work from home

Not eligible

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: New hires accrue three weeks of vacation time in their first year of service, in addition to 10 paid company holidays and 12 sick days per year.
• Health and Wellness: 100% employer-paid benefits for employee Vision, Dental, Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Employee Assistance Program.
• Financial Benefits: Competitive salaries and benefits.