Community Health Worker - Re-Entry

What Success Looks Like In This Job

Adams County Health Department (ACHD) is composed of 6 divisions (Performance and Business Excellence, Strategic Health Initiatives, Epidemiology and Data Science, Nursing, Environmental Health, Nutrition and Family Health), 230 staff, and has an annual budget of roughly 30M.

The Strategic Health Initiatives Division (SHI) serves as the primary and expert resource for developing, establishing, and maintaining innovative evidence-informed, community-based public health promotion and disease prevention strategies identified through data analysis and community engagement.

Community Health Worker-Re-Entry

• This is a project designated position with funding expected to end June 30th 2028.
• There are 3 vacancies for this role and this team is expected to work onsite in the Adams County Detention Center, 150 N 19th Ave., Brighton, CO one day each week. Two staff will work on Saturdays in the jail, and the third will work in the jail one weekday each week.
• The other workdays are a combination of remote and in person at a health department location.

Examples of Duties for Success

Jail-Based Social Needs Screening:

• Complete screenings for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) and other needs while individuals are incarcerated within the Adams County Detention Center.
• Create re-entry goals in partnership with clients related to identified needs.
• Assist with enrollment in Medicaid.
• Build rapport with individuals in a respectful and non-judgemental manner.
• Support clients with transportation, housing, and basic needs plan for release.

• Review pre-release goals and HRSN screenings; update as required.
• Identify and refer clients to appropriate community-based services, including public health programs, primary care, housing resources, transportation, education, employment, and substance use or behavioral health treatment.
• Assist with benefit enrollment (e.g. Medicaid, SNAP) and complete appropriate community-based referrals.
• Support clients with obtaining documents required to enroll in programs and gain employment (identification cards, birth certificates, etc.)
• Maintain consistent communication with clients following release to ensure service continuity.
• Provide reminders, appointment scheduling support, and goal development support.
• Track client outcomes, referral follow up, and CHW-Re-Entry efforts to support clients.

• Participate in community partnerships and project development workgroups.
• Uphold confidentiality and ethical standards (e.g. HIPAA).
• Remain aware and updated around community resources available to justice-involved individuals.

• Support grant reporting requirements.
• Maintains program-specific documentation. Use organizational skills to maintain correct forms and tools necessary for documentation.
• Participates in development of systems to support resource coordination and referral for individuals and organizations.
• Enters data into and maintains computer systems or databases. Proofs data entry and corrects errors. Running standard and ad hoc reports as required.
• Provides administrative support as assigned for the program. Handles confidential matters, including healthcare information protected by HIPAA, and collects information as requested for the use of the program staff. Filing, typing, and answering phones in support of daily program functions. Maintains files and records.

• Travel may be required to any ACHD clinic or outreach event as needed for efficient program operations. Travel may be determined on the day of work, based on program needs. The CHW-Re-Entry may use their personal vehicle or an Adams County vehicle for events.
• Required weekend shifts inside Adams County Detention Center.
• Ability to work evenings as needed.
• Ability to work community outreach events, including tabling, teaching, and/or mobile services.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required.

• Responds, as required, to support public health emergencies, incidents, and events.
• Participates in all exercises and drills on emergency preparedness, as required.
• Completes trainings identified as appropriate for this level employee.

• Regularly assesses work and supports changes to remove and build systems that address unfair differences.
• Prioritizes transparency and support an open-door culture.
• Uses practices that center community needs and ensures just opportunities to inform the development and implementation of health promotion strategies.
• Understands the concepts of institutional and structural fairness and demonstrates a genuine commitment to community driven work that addresses challenges and fosters opportunities.

• Maintain sensitive & confidential client information according to the HIPAA policy confidentiality requirements.

Qualifications for Success

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Strong interpersonal skills for collaborating effectively with a broad range of clinical and community representatives.
  • Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
  • Experience with the criminal justice system.

• Maintains knowledge of current practice guidelines and continuing education topics pertinent to the Community Health Worker role, including but not limited to basic motivational interviewing skills, resource navigation, trauma-informed care and understanding the community’s needs.

• Provide helpful, accurate, and direct assistance to internal and external customers via phone, email, and in-person. Exhibits humility and works to address unfair systems.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with all participants and partners.

• Standard office equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer and associated hardware and software, telephone, copier, calculator, and audio-visual equipment.

• Basic care and ability to drive Adams County vehicles for community events.

More Qualifications for Success

Education: High School Diploma or GED required

Experience:

• At least 2 years assisting or informally counseling peers with basic health or social needs.
• Comparable experience or involvement with healthcare, social service systems or criminal justice system may count towards one (1) year of total experience requirement.
• Currently lives in or near Adams County and is aware of resources available in the county.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.

• If you would like your experience considered for Qualifications for Success, please respond to the prompts in the questions section.

• Must be in possession of, or have the ability to obtain, a valid Colorado driver’s license and pass MVR within 30 days of hire.
• Adams County Sheriff Background Check Required: Must not have any prior felony convictions, or misdemeanor convictions. Misdemeanor convictions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Zero tolerance drug policy strictly enforced.

• Prior experience as a Community Health Worker, Health Navigator, Patient Navigator or other type of community directed outreach and assistance work.

• This position is expected to conduct one-on-one Health Related Social Needs Screenings with individuals currently incarcerated within the Adams County Detention Center.
• This position requires weekly hours working inside ACDC with currently incarcerated individuals from 8 am-5pm.
• The schedule for this position is either Tuesday-Saturday 8 am-5pm (2 positions) or Monday-Friday 8 am-5pm (1 position) and will be a combination of remote and in-person work.
• Work is conducted mainly indoors. Routine exposures and hazards of a typical office environment. Occasionally required to work after normal work hours to attend community events or support clients with system navigation.
• Requires sufficient hearing and speech ability to communicate verbally in response to inquiries, complaints, and to speak to individuals and/or groups of people.
• Requires ability to lift and carry objects occasionally up to 15 pounds.
• Requires manual dexterity to operate computer and office equipment.
• Requires the ability to sit and perform administrative and computer work for significant periods of time.

• Hours: Typical work hours are 8am-5pm but will vary based on the needs of the organization.
• Location: This position will be mostly in person, with occasional remote work options. Most office work will be based in a health department location, with one assigned day inside the Adams County Detention Center weekly. Travel: The incumbent of this position should expect to travel between 50%-75% of the time between the health department and other county government locations within Adams County. Mileage reimbursement is available for this position.

Adams County complies with Colorado’s Job Application Fairness Act (“JAFA”). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.