Position Details

The purpose of this position is to provide community health and wellness through guidance and program implementation to individuals, communities and systems; including development and provision of education materials, facilitated trainings and educational opportunities to improve the level of health in Wadena County. The Community Health Specialist is expected to function independently, as well as in coordination with colleagues, including reporting and communication of community health issues. Duties include managing and maintaining prevention grants including implementing evidence-based programming, supporting community prevention efforts, providing accurate and timely reporting, assessing community strength and gaps, evaluating outcomes, facilitating collaboratives, coalitions, and community groups, and promoting policy/ systems/ environmental change strategies. 

Professional/Technical Duties and Responsibilities 

• Manages individual, community and systems level services through grant work, community assessment and planning, data review and analysis, and quality improvement. 

• Manages grant writing, grant management, grant reporting and evaluation and community presentations.

• Responsible for federal grant registration sites and maintenance.

• Develops, supports, facilities, and maintains community coalitions. 

• Represent as spokesperson for coalition. 

• Includes assessing coalition member satisfaction, engagement, and gathering support for policy, systems and environmental change. 

• Provides client outreach and education on the individual and community level.

• Assesses effectiveness of educational programs. 

• Evaluate and report the effectiveness of programs according to program guidelines and fidelity. 

• Identifies focus areas for development of public health prevention communications.

• Research, implement and evaluate content for marketing programs and public health prevention areas. 

• Construct framework for strategic planning. 

• Facilitate and participate in public health infrastructure development including areas of program improvement, quality improvement, strategic planning, accreditation planning and implementation. 

• Engage youth in prevention including program development, outreach, and facilitation of youth activities and youth groups, including the development and facilitation of youth leadership trainings. 

• Participate and coordinate in Public Health Preparedness (PHEP) activities such as grant duties including updating emergency plans, grant reporting, training and collaborating with local Emergency Management professionals. 

• Provide safety education and assessment for car seat installation.

• Serves as Wadena County Family Services Collaborative (FSC) Coordinator including oversight and responsibility for strategic planning, programming, fiscal and program reporting, monitoring funded program contracts, evaluation and collaborative ventures with schools, county agencies and community agencies. 

• Responsible for regulations and guidelines established in Joint Powers Agreement and Bylaws. 

• Develops evaluation tools for educational programs and presentations.

• Researches, identifies and implements evidence-based programs and promising practices. 

• Coordinates, develops, and facilitates community training and educational programs. 

• Participates in improving agency performance, processes, programs and interventions through quality improvement projects at the agency or three county board of health level. 

• Prepares and maintains a variety of records and paperwork. 

Additional/Ancillary Duties and Responsibilities 

• Attends training/educational sessions, meetings and seminars to keep current on legislative and regulatory changes and maintain professional competence. 

• Represents the Department and the County both internally and externally in state, county, local communities and work groups. 

• Participates in emergency preparedness activities, including a leadership role as assigned such as public informational officer in a National Incident Management System for Public Health Emergency 

• Maintains knowledge of laws, rules and regulations in Public Health. 

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County. 

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Knowledge of principles and methods of community organization. 

• Skill in community assessment and analysis.

• Knowledge of teaching methods. 

• Ability and skill in teaching individuals and groups. 

• Excellent and effective public speaking skills. 

• Skill in writing, budget management and reporting. 

• Ability to prioritize and manage time productively. 

• Skill operating computers and relevant software. 

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and interpersonal skills as applied to interactions with staff, clients, and the general public. 

• Ability to administer operating rules and procedures under management guidance. 

• Ability to use analytical ability to select, evaluate and interpret data and interpret guidelines, policies and procedure. 

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts to achieve organizational objectives. 

• Flexibility to adapt to new assignments with short notice. 

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.

Education

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in community health/health education/or related field. 

Preferred Experience 

• Experience in grant writing/management/evaluation, coalition development/ leadership, written and verbal communication, and systems/policy/environmental change programming. 

Licenses/Certifications 

This position may require the acquisition and maintenance of the following additional certificates/licenses: 

• NIMS Training 

• PHEP 

• Car Seat Technician 

• Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor 

• ACE Interface Presenter 

• Minnesota Driver’s License or evidence of equivalent mobility 

Equipment and Tools 

• Office equipment and technology 

• Medical equipment 

Physical and Mental Requirements 

This job typically requires sitting, standing, walking, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, typing, and seeing. There is prolonged exposure to computer keyboards and video screens. This position is generally light-duty and may require the exertion up to 20 pounds of force. Lifts of over 20 pounds may be required occasionally and employee can request assistance. 

The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Working Conditions 

Work is performed in an office, institution, community, home, school or community-based settings. Travel is required to other facilities, meetings training, etc.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Competencies Common to All County Positions 

• Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures. 

• Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff. 

• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible. 

• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all-important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities. 

• Represent Wadena County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies. 

Wadena County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.