Health Educator

Title: Health Educator

State Role Title: Education Support Specialist II

Hiring Range:  $41,960 - $51,500

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: PENINSULA HQ

Agency Website: 

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 35 local health districts. These entities work together to promote healthy lifestyle choices that can combat chronic disease, educate the public about emergency preparedness and threats to their health, and track disease outbreaks in Virginia.

As part of the Virginia Department of Health, the Hampton, and Peninsula Health Districts (HPHD) are two health districts serving the residents of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and the Counties of James City, and York.

The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts are focused on four key pillars to create a sustainable and engaged workforce:

1. Workforce Development and Training
2. Culture and Climate
3. Community Engagement and Partnerships
4. Communication and Openness

Through these pillars, we aim to achieve our mission of becoming the healthiest districts in the state and better serve our communities. Apply and join the Virginia Department of Health's efforts to become the healthiest state in the nation.

Do you want to make a positive impact on maternal and child health outcomes? Are you interested in working with partners to develop programming that will help our community? Do you have a passion in health education? Apply for the Maternal Child Health Educator position today! 

Peninsula Health District is seeking a Health Educator to provide educational services for The Maternal Child Health program. Characteristic activities: trains, educates, and provides information to the public and staff on health educational programs; prepares news releases; reviews, develops, and orders educational materials. As a direct contact to the public and clients on sensitive health issues, may respond to calls received and make appropriate referrals as needed. Provides requested information, and may serve to address emotional, technical, or social resources to callers. Works with considerable independence and demonstrates a wide array of communication and social skills in dealing with a diverse population.

Independently performs duties related to health education programs, provides resources to participants, and accurately collects and submits data. Supervision is required for, but not limited to, non-routine services or questions, all procedure or policy changes, media inquiries, unusual program issues, requests for services, personal communication difficulties and/or job performance issues.

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Maternal Child Health (MCH) Services Title V Block Grant for a one-year period ending June 30th. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401(a) Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

The VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year’s seasonal influenza vaccination. 

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by federal grants. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Skills in program planning, implementations and evaluation

• Skills in public speaking

• Skills in managing group dynamics and providing consultation with other professionals and the general public

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

• Skills utilizing excellent interpersonal skills

• Maintains good working relationships

• Works independently with minimal supervision 

• Makes appropriate decisions and develop program goals and objectives

Additional Considerations

• Experience with computers and Microsoft Office software preferred

• Bilingual preferred

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered.
Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: HPHD Human Resources

Phone: 757-594-7163

Email: HPHD.HR@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.