Clinical Services - Health Annex - Health Educator

HEALTH EDUCATOR

Under the direction of the Clinical Services and Case Management Director, the Health Educator is responsible for developing and implementing health education initiatives targeting schools, the public, and outreach programs. This role involves creating and delivering educational content, designing materials to promote healthy lifestyles, and collaborating with local partners to enhance public health outcomes. The Health Educator plays a key role in coordinating the department’s public health education efforts, often working alongside the Communications Director to ensure broad outreach.  This position is covered by due process as defined by The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program Development & Implementation

• Evaluates the health needs of schools and the community and develops educational programs, trainings, and awareness campaigns, and deploys them as directed.
• Develops and distributes educational materials and useful resources on public and school health topics as requested or directed year-round.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and assesses the impact and effectiveness of these educational programs through data collection and analysis, pre/post testing of participants, and other evaluation techniques, making necessary adjustments for continuous improvement.
• Conducts and engages in research activities if directed, to identify and address gaps in knowledge, contribute to evidence-based practices, and generate new insights to inform public health education and intervention strategies on behalf of the department.
• Stays updated on health trends and remains informed about current health trends, emerging diseases, research findings, and advancements in public health strategies to enhance educational programs accordingly.

School & Community Engagement

• Acts as a liaison between public health and schools, assisting with prevention of communicable diseases through wellness and response policy development and training, promoting required childhood in-school screenings, and facilitating educational opportunities.
• Develops trusting relationships and builds partnerships with public and private schools, including the county’s Amish schools, to ensure public health education is shared in any way necessary to educate children, teachers, parents, and organizational partners on the prevention of trauma and injuries, unnecessary deaths, tobacco and vaping cessation, and to lessen public health infectious disease outbreaks through completion of required routine vaccinations.
• Convenes and facilitates regular meetings with school nursing and administration staff to discuss public health issues and impacts on school health, incorporating each year’s new and helpful educational resources, coordinating guest speakers on trending issues, and following up with all associated training and certification requests from schools.
• Oversees the students in and programming for the Allen County Department of Health’s “Public Health School Hero” (PHSH) program year-round, including development of all educational initiatives/projects as well as tracking all outcomes, projects, and associated data.
• Assists schools in developing and reviewing communicable disease prevention and response plans and conducts drills to ensure appropriate deployment can occur.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Continued):

Public Health Promotion & Outreach

• Promotes public health activities through health fairs, community events, social media, and awareness campaigns, disseminating information and resources, increasing awareness, and promoting positive health behaviors in various community settings such as schools, workplaces, and community organizations.
• Participates in collaborative endeavors with other departmental divisions supporting educational requirements and initiatives in various fields, including Food Protection, Environmental Safety, School Safety & Health, Infectious and Chronic Disease Prevention, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, Tobacco & Vaping Cessation, and many other specified public health topics aligning with prescribed Core Public Health Service areas.
• Collaborates with community partners when requested to ensure provision of public health clinics for screenings and immunizations as needed and participates in all events where assistance is requested.
• Responsible for development of various themes and projects at events from the ground up (creation of activities for children and parents, ordering incentives or activity supplies, ensuring set-up/tear-down, data tracking, and educational activities including design and deployment).

Training & Certification

• Becomes certified in various courses as a train-the-trainer as directed (such as Stop the Bleed, CPR, Naloxone Use, Safe Sitter, Catch My Breath, among others), and deploys free training in schools as well as through other community events and programming.
• Becomes trained on onsite childhood lead testing and equipment to provide services at vaccination and other community events throughout the year at the request of partner entities and schools or department-required events.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification upon employment as required for all public health staff.

Data Collection, Reporting & Representation

• Collects, analyzes, and reports data on community outreach and school-related training efforts and for all initiatives mentioned herein.
• Represents the Allen County Health Department at various meetings and attends state-required School Liaison or other topical meetings, including presentations around the state and locally as directed.

General Duties & Other Responsibilities

• Performs all other duties as assigned, including overtime as required for events and training.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Education (preferred), Biology, Environmental Health, Public Health, Community Health, Social Work, Dietitian Services, or a related field
• Preferably, 2+ years of experience with teaching, and/or working in or with schools, preferably in a health-related role
• Public Health and other certifications and train-the-trainer designations upon employment such as CPR, Stop the Bleed, Safe Sitter, Catch My Breath, Naloxone administration, blood lead collection, etc.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification upon employment as required for all public health staff
• Knowledge of appropriate local, state, and federal health regulations and guidelines associated with public health
• Strong knowledge of public health principles, practices, and policies and the ability to convey messaging in an engaging educational manner
• Strong advocacy and leadership skills
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with community partners, coupled with skills such as creativity, visual resource and social media creation, as well as the ability to multi-task and remain organized. Strong attention to detail required
• Ability to plan, organize, and implement health programs and initiatives alone or with others

REQUIREMENTS - (Continued):

• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Familiarity with relevant health education curricula and resources, as well as current events associated with public health
• Flexibility to travel to and from sites where education, outreach, or state/local meetings take place as directed

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

The Health Educator develops and implements targeted health education programs, collaborates with schools and community partners, and promotes public health initiatives. This role requires strong communication, organization, and training skills to deliver engaging education, evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure compliance with public health regulations. Adaptability, multitasking, and the ability to work independently or collaboratively are essential for success.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Health Educator develops and delivers health education programs, collaborates with schools and community partners, and promotes public health initiatives. Responsibilities include training, outreach, program evaluation, and ensuring compliance with public health regulations.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

The Health Educator collaborates with school staff, community organizations, and public health professionals to develop and implement educational programs. They engage with diverse populations, build partnerships to promote wellness initiatives, and coordinate with internal departments to support public health efforts.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The Health Educator works in both office and community settings, requiring frequent travel to schools, outreach events, and public health initiatives. The role involves extended periods of standing, walking, and presenting, with occasional lifting of materials up to 30 pounds. Physical demands may include setting up event spaces, reaching overhead, kneeling, and carrying outreach supplies. The position may require exposure to varying temperatures, loud environments, and potential contact with infectious diseases or hazardous materials, necessitating adherence to safety protocols. Flexibility in work hours, including evenings and weekends for events and training courses, may be required.

• Standing and walking frequently to conduct training sessions, presentations, and community outreach.
• Fine motor skills for using computers, preparing educational materials, and handling public health data.
• Physical endurance for attending long outreach events, setting up materials, and engaging in hands-on training sessions.

The description below outlines the physical requirements specific to the Health Educator’s role:

SUPERVISION:

This position does not supervise other employees.

LICENSING:

• National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification required upon employment for all public health staff
• Certifications in CPR, Naloxone Administration, Stop the Bleed, Safe Sitter, Catch My Breath, and other relevant training courses as deemed necessary
• Childhood Blood Lead test collection and reads

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Clinical Services and Case Management Director

HOURS:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (37.5-hour standard workweek); work schedule may vary and include being on-call or working outside regular business hours.

EEO CATEGORY:

0805

WORKERS’ COMP CODE:

8832