Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator (CHW I, II, III, IV)

About the role

Northwest Human Services is a non-profit leader in providing advocacy, quality healthcare and social services in Marion and Polk counties since 1970. As a Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator (Community Health Worker I–IV), you will serve as a bridge between patients, care teams, and community partners, meeting people where they are, identifying barriers to care, and connecting them with resources to improve health and well‑being.

Responsibilities

• Build Trust & Engage Patients: conduct outreach to established and newly assigned patients to encourage engagement with NWHS services and care teams.
• Build supportive, respectful relationships with patients and families using culturally responsive and patient‑centered approaches.
• Use motivational interviewing, active listening, problem‑solving, and critical thinking to understand patient needs and barriers.
• Provide education about available healthcare, social services, and community resources.
• Connect People to Resources: identify and address social determinants of health, including barriers related to housing, food, transportation, financial resources, healthcare access, and other social needs.
• Connect patients with internal programs and external community organizations based on individual needs and eligibility.
• Help patients understand available resources, eligibility requirements, potential wait times, and next steps.
• Support Care Coordinators: collaborate with providers and multidisciplinary care teams to support patient‑centered care plans.
• Participate in case management and care coordination discussions, particularly for patients experiencing complex barriers to care.
• Help identify patients who may benefit from additional outreach or support, including patients with limited engagement, gaps in care, or high healthcare utilization.
• Community Involvement: help plan, coordinate, and participate in community outreach activities, health fairs, educational workshops, health campaigns, and other engagement events.
• Build relationships with community partners by attending meetings, events, and networking opportunities.
• Share community resource information and best practices with colleagues to strengthen consistent and equitable services.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience in a human service‑related or healthcare environment through employment, volunteer experience, or lived experience; OR an associate or bachelor's degree in public health, behavioral science, social services, or a related field.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification consistent with AHA CPR/ECC guidelines.
• Valid Oregon driver's license and driving record that allows coverage under the agency's corporate auto liability policy.

Qualifications

• Community Health Worker training or certification preferred.
• Non‑certified candidates must enroll in and successfully complete a CHW certification course following the initial 90‑day employment period, subject to supervisor direction.
• Food Handler's Card within one month of hire and maintained as current.
• Experience working with medical care teams, social service agencies, or healthcare systems preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.

Skills

• Relationship Builder – creates trust through empathy, respect, consistency, and genuine connection.
• Resource Navigator – enjoys finding answers, learning about community resources, and helping people overcome barriers.
• Creative Problem‑Solver – willing to think differently and explore other possibilities when the obvious solution doesn’t work.
• Strong Communicator – communicates clearly with patients, families, providers, coworkers, and community partners in person, by phone, or computer.
• Culturally Responsive – respects different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ways of communicating; understands that every person’s path to health is different.

Benefits

• Healthcare insurance plans: Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Group Life: Short‑Term & Long‑Term Disability 100% paid by employer.
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% employer contribution and up to 3% employer match.
• Flex Spending Account.
• PTO – 10 hours a month for full‑time positions (40 hrs./wk.) up to 20 hours monthly as tenure grows.
• 7½ Paid Holidays a year