Health Education Specialist I​/II - Substance Abuse Programs

health education specialist i/ii - public health

department of health & human services

are you interested in making a difference? If so, please consider joining our dedicated team! The healthy communities & wic division, located within the dhhs-public health branch, houses a wide variety of health promotion and chronic disease and injury prevention programs. The goal of public health is to protect and improve the health of all people in our community, especially the most marginalized and underserved populations.

The majority of the division’s programs are grant funded. This position will support the substance use prevention program (sup). The sup program works to prevent harm caused by alcohol and other drugs in humboldt county. We work with the entire community to promote social norms and environments that support healthy choices.

• support the delivery of in-school substance use prevention education at school sites.
• support the planning and facilitation of parent events and community engagement activities, related to substance use prevention.
• support with data collection and program reporting.
• attend required trainings and program meetings.

work location: eureka: community wellness center 908 7th st eureka ca 95501; garberville: public health-garberville 727 cedar st garberville ca 95542.

a typical work schedule for this position is: m-f 8am-5pm with occasional weekend and evening work.

this position is represented by the afscme bargaining unit.

under general supervision, plans and conducts special and continuing health education programs; performs related work as assigned.

health education specialist i is the entry level class of this health education series. Incumbents are assigned health education activities in a less complex, single component program or under more immediate supervision while learning the more skilled and complex work. This class is alternately staffed with health education specialist ii and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications for the higher level class.

health education specialist ii is the journey level class in this series, fully competent to perform a wide range of health education duties.

• plans, implements and evaluates public health education and disease prevention programs.
• assists administrative and supervisory personnel in the planning, conduct and evaluation of health education aspects of departmental programs.
• works with various community groups and organizations to encourage an interest in public health.
• advises departmental personnel on the use of educational materials and techniques and the use of community resources.
• organizes special health education programs, conferences, meetings and speaker's bureaus on health topics.
• prepares periodic reports of educational program performance for grant funding; files grant reports with state or other granting agency.
• performs individual health counseling for members of the public who have the disease or condition that is the subject of the health education program.
• prepares publicity materials including news releases, pamphlets, newsletters and bulletins to publicize and explain health services and programs.
• prepares educational materials for meetings and training sessions.
• reviews published materials for readability and suitability for the department's acquisition and maintains a stock of educational materials for distribution.
• prepares and maintains reports and other documentation of health education program activities.
• maintains current knowledge of health education topics and issues and recommends improvements as appropriate.

• principles and practices of public health administration particularly related to public health education program implementation and teaching.
• principles and practices of program management including development, funding, grant proposal and budget monitoring and program evaluation.
• applicable county, state and federal guidelines and laws affecting public health education programs.
• methods and procedures for evaluating program quality and effectiveness.
• methods for collecting and compiling demographic and biostatistical information and data.
• chronic diseases and disease prevention methods.

• developing, implementing and coordinating public health education programs.
• utilizing demographic and biostatistical data and information to evaluate community health education needs.
• exercising sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• identifying program funding sources and preparing grant proposal applications.
• evaluating the effectiveness of public health education programs and making sound recommendations for improvements.
• representing the county in contacts with county officials, community and other agencies and the public.
• preparing clear, concise and complete reports and other written correspondence.
• establishing and maintaining effective relationships with county and…