Senior Health Education Specialist

The Board of Supervisors has authorized the following future salary increases: 5% on July 1, 2023, 5% on July 1, 2024, and 5% on July 1, 2025.

The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is offering an excellent career opportunity for qualified individuals interested in the Senior Health Education Specialist position. The Public Health Division currently has one (1) vacancy in the Community Wellness & Prevention Program (CWPP) and one (1) vacancy in Family, Maternal and Child Health (FMCH), both located in Martinez. You may be required to occasionally travel to other sites within Contra Costa County.
 
The Senior Health Education Specialist is responsible for implementing educational and health promotion activities in the Health Services department. The successful candidate will plan, conduct, and evaluate the health education aspects of organizational programs. They confer with and advise staff on health education and preventative health principles and strategies to integrate health education into the organization’s function and maintain and distribute health educational material to staff as appropriate.
 
The CWPP program is implementing a new CCHS Violence Prevention Program (VPP) to strengthen coordination, capacity, and partnerships to address the root causes of violence, advance policies and practices that are grounded in equity, prevent all forms of violence and promote healing across all communities in Contra Costa County. Utilizing the framework of health equity as its core, VPP will achieve the aforementioned through violence prevention education, partnering with community stakeholders and policymakers, and supporting efforts that lead to policy, systems, and environmental change.
 
FMCH’s Black Infant Health (BIH) program works to improve Black infant and maternal health in Contra Costa County and to decrease disparities for Black women and infants. BIH implements an intensive intervention. Group sessions are complemented by client-centered life planning, goal setting, and referrals to services for participants and their families. This combination supports women in developing life skills, learning strategies to reduce stress, and building social support.

We are looking for someone who:

• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing
• Possesses effective organizational skills and is task-oriented
• Adapts to varied and changing priorities
• Uses initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines

What you will typically be responsible for: 
PHCS Assignment:

• Advising staff on health education and preventative principles and techniques
• Maintaining and distributing health education material to staff and the general public
• Evaluating and reporting on health education services and educational programs
• Directing and coordinating training activities
• Planning, conducting and, evaluating the health education and health prevention aspects of school-based programs
• Assessing community health needs

CCHP Assignment:

• Conducting annual Population Health Needs Assessment, Annual Health Education Program Description, and Annual Health Education Program Evaluation
• Planning, conducting, and evaluating the health education aspects of the Health Plan, including evaluating and supporting community-based health education
• Coordinating and carrying out identified improvements related to gaps in member educational resources as identified through the Health Education evaluation activities or through Quality Department improvement activities
• Reviewing all member-facing material created by the Health Plan to ensure readability and suitability for Medi-Cal members
• Developing and teaching online health education workshops
• Conducting annual Population Health Needs Assessment, Annual Health Education Program Description, and Annual Health Education Program Evaluation

A few reasons you might love this job:
PHCS Assignment:

• You will be part of a high value team environment
• You will be part of a culture that encourages growth and innovation 
• You will work in an engaging and fast paced environment
• We are focused on our common mission and goals to serve our community

CCHP Assignment:

• You will make a difference in the lives of Contra Costa residents
• You will be able to partner with providers, clinics, community agencies, and Health Plan staff on a variety of projects aimed at improving health outcomes
• You will have opportunities for leadership and project design
• You will have strong leadership support and an experienced and supportive team

A few challenges you might face in this job:
PHCS Assignment:

• You may work under pressure and need to deliver assignments in tight timeframes
• You must adapt to ever-changing technology 
• You will face multiple deadlines, multi-tasking, and time management

CCHP Assignment:

• There are some regulatory requirements that dictate program activities
• Operations may not be as fast due to approval processes
• Most staff time will not involve direct patient education

Competencies Required:

• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Delegating: Sharing responsibility, authority, and accountability
• Leadership: Guiding and encouraging others to accomplish a common goal

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.cccounty.us/hr.
 
The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months. License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out-of-state valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Health Services Administration, Social Work, Health Education, Education, Sports Medicine, Kinesiology, Nutrition, or a closely related field.

Experience: One (1) year of full-time, or its equivalent, experience which included direct responsibility for performing health promotion, health prevention, or community health education work.

Substitution for Education:  A bachelor's degree and two (2) years of full-time, or its equivalent, experience in a health services agency or program performing health promotion, health prevention or health education work may be substituted for the master's degree.  No substitution is permitted for a bachelor's degree.
 
Positions which function as health educators pursuant to Section 1303 of Title 17 of the California Administrative Code must possess a master's degree in Public Health with specialization in health education obtained in a program of study approved by the American Public Health Association.
 

1. Application Filing and Evaluation:  All applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
2. Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire: Candidates that clearly demonstrate that they possess the minimum qualification, will be invited to participate in a behavioral consistency writing exercise. Candidates will provide written responses to scenario-based questions designed to evaluate candidates' core competencies as they relate to the Senior Health Education Specialist classification. Candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies assessed, which may include but are not limited to: Delivering Results, Innovative Problem Solving, Displaying Ownership & Accountability, Oral Communication, and Handling & Resolving Conflict (Weighted 100%) 

The Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer during the week of February 6, 2023

The written assessment will be administered using a computer or mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment.
 
The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment questions, please contact Health Services Personnel, Recruitment Team at Exams@cchealth.org. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at 1-855-524-5627. 
 Please note that as of August 24, 2021, Contra Costa County enacted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement for employees. Proof of full vaccination will be required of all employees, including new hires. The policy requirements can be found here:  
https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/72164/2021824-Mandatory-Vaccination-Policy-PDF?bidId=After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.
 All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Salary : $78,671 - $95,625