Public Health Educator

CLOSES: 6/17/2026

Interview Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Interview Location: Carlton County Public Health and Human Services Building 14 N 11th Street, Cloquet, MN 55720. Interviews will be held in the Ojibwe Room located on the first floor.

Carlton County Public Health and Human Services is an engaging and safe place to work with a flexible day-time weekday schedule.  Ample opportunities for training, development, and career growth, with the possibility of telecommuting.  Very competitive salary and benefit package with respectful and open atmosphere. 

Why join Carlton County? The Public Health & Human Services department is committed to providing a welcoming environment. We offer:

• 41 hours personal paid time off and 12 paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling and opportunity for part-time remote work
• Comprehensive insurance including medical, dental, vision
• Advancement/professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee well-being valued and culture of self-care
• PERA pension plan
• Limited evening and weekend hours may be worked for some positions.
• The Minnesota Rural Public Health Nurse Loan Forgiveness program may be applied for if meet criteria(competitive)
• https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/ruralhealth/funding/loans/publichealth.html

Healthcare Benefits:

Family Health Insurance - Monthly Premium of $350.58

Single Health Insurance - Paid in Full by Employer

**HEALTH INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLES COVERED IN FULL WITH A VEBA ACCOUNT FUNDED BY EMPLOYER

BASIC FUNCTIONS: 

• Practice independent decision-making to perform professional Public Health Educator duties to ensure proper administration and coordination of public health programs. Provide a full range of public health educator skills within the six (6) areas of Public Health Responsibility per MN State Statute 145A. Act as a Public Health Strategist and subject matter expert, convene community and partners to address public health priorities and assure strategies to improve population health through policies, systems, and environments. Administer fiscal resources for health education programs with direction from the Public Health Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 
Public Health Education

• Convene, build relationships, and collaborate with professionals, elected officials, the community, and civic groups to determine community health needs and the availability of services, and to develop goals for meeting needs locally and regionally.
• Develop, conduct, and/or coordinate health needs assessments and other public health surveys on a local and/or regional level. Act as a consultant for other agencies and community assessments.
• Use independent decision making to address policy, system, and environments regarding public health priorities. Organize and engage elected officials and communities, and facilitate meetings. 
• Use evidence informed practices to direct community strategies to address emerging issues within health equity, health disparities, and the social determinants of health within assigned programs and with the Public Health unit to improve population health locally and regionally.
• Develop and present health education and promotion programs and policies internally or externally. Act as a leader and serve on committees to facilitate and assist local, regional or statewide communities and coalitions in creating policy, system, and environmental change.
• Consult and convene partners locally and regionally to develop community (schools, worksites, health care facilities, etc.) operational plans and policies necessary to achieve health education objectives and services.
• Act as a trusted community leader and voice to provide information to the public by preparing and presenting press releases, media interviews, conducting media campaigns, and/or maintaining program-related web sites and social media.
• Design and conduct evaluations and diagnostic studies to assess the quality and performance of health education programs.
• Serve as a resource for health education related requests; maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs. This may be at the local and regional level.
• Initiate contacts with potential grant sources. Develop, prepare, manage, and coordinate grant applications and grantrelated activities to obtain funding for health education programs and related work.
• Coordinate and manage grant funding allocations and programming, monitor budget, including reporting and evaluation requirements; may assist with local, state, and federal audits of grants or programs.
• Manage, train and orient technical staff, and students, in implementing health programs, objectives, and goals. Serve as a resource for professional development for colleges and universities locally and regionally.
• Carry out duties within the six areas of Public Health Responsibility, to include: assure an adequate local public health infrastructure; promote healthy communities and healthy behavior; prevent the spread of communicable diseases; protect against environmental health hazards; prepare and respond to emergencies; and assure health services, per the Local Public Health Act, 145A.
• Act independently as a Public Health Strategist to provide services and oversee resources to facilitate progress, meet objectives, and deliver prescribed outcomes within a variety of public health and grant programs. 
• Respond to public or environmental health nuisances or outbreaks as outlined in state statute and local policy, as assigned.

Emergency Preparedness/Response

• Participate in and collaborate with local Emergency Management and other local, regional and state partners on planning, exercising, responding, recovering, and post-incident evaluation. 
• Maintain Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) community response Emergency Preparedness Plans.
• Complete National Incident Management System training to include ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 (minimum) and 300, 400 (advanced).
• Monitor and maintain inventory in PHHS response trailer.
• Serve as 24/7 on-call public health contact for the MN Department of Health, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and County Emergency Management to respond to emergencies as assigned.

General Professional

• Analyze, monitor, and implement changes to federal, state and local laws, ordinances, resolutions and regulations relating topublic health. Enforce Public Health legislation and laws. Convene elected officials to develop and update ordinances and local laws per Public Health legislation and laws.
• Develop and review and update relevant policies and procedures. 
• Act as a Public Health Strategist to attend and participate in assigned local, regional, or statewide committees, task forces, teams, councils and meetings for program and policy work as relevant and based on assigned program(s). 
• Maintain appropriate program-specific electronic charting and staff training documentation.
• Comply with HIPAA, data privacy and data retention policies and procedures. 
• Ensure ongoing competency using best practices including peer review, reflective practice, goal setting and self-evaluation.
• Act as a mandated reporter; intervene in emergency situations by notifying proper authorities.
• Communicate effectively with elected officials, community, and clients served by the Public Health and Human Services Department.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert in Public Health program to attend and present at trainings and workshops as budget allows and with supervisory approval, share information with others. Provide elected officials with current and relevant Public Health information.
• Provide Public Health On-Call coverage during the work day – document intake, refer as appropriate, and respond to community concerns and partner agency inquiries.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree from a Health Education program which addresses the seven (7) responsibilities for Health Education Specialists according to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC). Or related degree (education, public health).

Experience: 

• One year of related experience in Health Education or closely related area; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Note: 

• Must demonstrate the ability to work positively in a team environment and function constructively during conflict resolution. Must fully support the core values and mission of Carlton County Public Health & Human Services.

Training Required: 

• National Incident Command System trainings 100, 200, 300, 700, 800 (400 advanced) within 6 months of hire or directed by supervisor; CPR/First Aid/AED; Naloxone; Public Health Foundations and MDH Operations 

Certificates/Licenses Required: 

• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance required. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) or Master CHES desirable but not required. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of MN Statute 145A, the Local Public Health Act, and other statutes of public health relevance
• Knowledge of emergency procedures. 
• Knowledge of other Public Health and Human Services employees’ roles and responsibilities and ability to refer appropriately. 
• Knowledge of a full range of community resources.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and County Public Health-related laws and regulations. 
• Skill in community organizing and building partnerships in local communities.
• Skill in written and oral communication.
• Skill in time management. 
• Ability to be available 24/7 with Emergency Preparedness duties for response and recovery needs.
• Ability to interact effectively with elected officials, individuals, community, and co-workers. 
• Ability to convene community groups and facilitate meetings and decision making.
• Ability to make decisions and exercise independent judgment. 
• Ability to prepare accurate records and reports. 
• Ability to use Microsoft Office, Adobe, and other software programs as necessary. 
• Ability to access, analyze, and interpret current public health policies, information, and data.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility, including in providing back-up to others, and willingness to create, implement, and adapt to new ways of doing things
• Ability to make decisions in crisis, emergency or dangerous situations.
• Must have own transportation for business use (e.g., in order to attend meetings at various sites, etc.).

Salary : $66,047 - $78,644