Public Health Educator

Texas Department of State Health Services · Abilene, TX · 2 wk ago

OTHR$4k–$5k/moFull-time

Location: Abilene, TX

About the role

Under the direction of the Community Health Improvement Manager, performs moderately complex (journey-level) public health education and promotion work. Supports identified population-based maternal/child health and tobacco prevention regional issues, increasing local capacity to carry out public health essential functions and create or enhance the public health presence in rural counties with limited or non-existent public health resources. Responsible for assessing community needs, resources, and capacity; planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating health education and promotion interventions and campaigns; and serving as a health education and promotion subject matter expert. Collaborates with internal and external partners to offer a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to health education and promotion to address community health gaps and needs.

Due to the work of this program, the person filling this position must not use tobacco products (combustible or non-combustible) including e-cigarette/electronic nicotine delivery devices. This position requires extensive travel including driving long distances and overnight stays on a regular basis. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for continuity of operations activation during public health emergency response and recovery.

Responsibilities

Community Health Assessment (45%):
- Plans, develops, and coordinates equitable population-centered evidence-based interventions addressing identified Maternal/Child Health (MCH) and Tobacco Prevention priorities.
- Conducts assessments of communities by identifying existing resources that engage individuals and populations in health behaviors while examining quantitative and qualitative county-level, regional, state, and national health, social, and economic data to identify MCH and tobacco prevention gaps and priorities.
- Makes recommendations for new health education programs and promotions by identifying patterns and gaps in data and interventions.
- Collaborates with internal departments, organizations, community members, schools, and officials through work groups, committees, and special projects to determine and/or facilitate course of action for development, implementation, management, evaluation, and sustainability of equitable population-centered services to meet identified health issues.
- Serves as a health education and promotion subject matter expert through the provision and/or development of resources, training, consultation, and implementation, management, and evaluation of strategic health education and promotion interventions and campaigns.
Health Education (30%):
- Prepares, delivers, and/or coordinates MCH and tobacco prevention presentations and trainings to community organizations and partners to provide education on identified health issues.
- Identifies MCH and tobacco prevention presentation and training needs; develops goals and objectives; develops evaluation plans; evaluates processes, techniques, and impact; and proposes recommendations for improvement.
- Maintains professional health education competency in the essential public health services, community collaboration and development, MCH and tobacco prevention diseases, and associated population-based and tobacco prevention priorities and interventions through trainings, conferences, webinars, and membership in professional organizations.
- Maintains certifications related to program interventions.
Child Fatality Review (20%):
- Facilitates and/or participates in Child Fatality Review Teams (CFRT) in assigned communities.
- Provides support, direction, technical assistance, and training to local CFRT to ensure quality reviews of child deaths.
- Identifies and develops communication strategies and techniques for increased awareness of CFRT best practices and sustainable interventions that may assist CFRT communities in reducing childhood fatalities.
- Facilitates communications with multidisciplinary stakeholders to develop CFRT strategic plans identifying goals, objectives, and evaluation of interventions.
- Serves as a health education and promotion subject matter expert to local CFRT Coordinator and CFRT Presiding Officer.
Regional Support and Disaster Response/Recovery (5%):
- Participates in regional assignments/duties/special initiatives.
- Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for continuity of operations activation during public health emergency response and recovery.
- Requires completion at minimum of FEMA Incident Command System 100, 200, 700, and 800 courses.
- Required to work other than normal business hours, alternate shift patterns, and/or locations in order to respond to public health emergencies.
- Maintains compliance with DSHS Policies and HHS Fleet Operations and Management Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in public health, community health, health education and promotion, or related field.
At least two years of experience in public health, tobacco prevention, community health, health education and promotion, or related field.
Must be able to independently travel 70% of the time throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions.
Texas Driver's license or driver's license from another state with the intent to obtain a Texas driver's license.
Community Health Worker certification preferred or must be able to obtain within 6-12 months of hire.
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician preferred or must be able to obtain within 6-12 months of hire.
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES or MCHES) preferred but not required.
QPR Gatekeeper Instructor certification preferred or must be able to obtain within 6-12 months of hire.
First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor certification preferred or must be able to obtain within 6-12 months of hire.

Skills

Principles and practices of effective public health practice and health equity.
Community health needs assessment processes and continuous quality improvement.
Concepts of health education and promotion including planning, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of programs/interventions/campaigns.
Public health best practices and evidence-based interventions.
Local, state, and federal laws related to maternal/child health and tobacco prevention.
Texas laws and statutes related to public health.
Conducting community health needs assessments and analyzing public health data.
Planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of public health education and promotion programs/interventions.
Project management and facilitating strategic planning and collaborations to achieve objectives.
Development, delivery, and/or coordination of health-related presentations and trainings.
Oral and written communication that is culturally appropriate.
Use of office equipment, desktop/laptop computer equipment, and software including Microsoft Suite applications.
Working independently and as part of a team.
Gathering, assembling, correlating, and analyzing data information from a variety of sources.
Preparing programmatic reports and devising solutions to problems.
Completing required certifications (e.g., Community Health Worker, Child Passenger Safety Technician).
Interpreting policies and procedures.
Establishing and maintaining effective communication and working relationships with employees, management, and the general public.
Prioritizing work, planning assignments, and managing time effectively.
Serving as a health education and promotion subject matter expert by providing guidance to others.
Meeting travel demands associated with the position, including driving long distances and overnight stays on a regular basis.

Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

Pay

Salary range: $4,020.33 - $4,564.17 per month.

Schedule

Full-time, regular position.
Office-based, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Work may require evenings and weekends.
Day shift (First).
Not eligible for telework.