STI Health Educator, Sr.

PURPOSE: This position plays an integral lead role in the development, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of community-based public health initiatives. Collaborate with District staff and community partners to promote health & prevent disease. Provides public information and leads public relations activities for health district related to specific public health initiatives and concerns. They will work with the Epidemiology, Population Health and the other district programs, as well as local partners throughout the district (counties of Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Surry, Sussex, cities of Emporia, Hopewell, and Petersburg). Flexibility will be required with work taking place on some nights and weekends.

DUTIES:

• Engages with community members and represents the health district at partner locations, and community events. The position works on a team for program identification, problem solving, and schedule to ensure scheduled service needs are met.

• Research, design and present health education programs to increase knowledge, modify attitudes and adopt healthy behaviors. This includes resource/health fairs and other community outreach events driving specific health outcomes.

• Facilitate discussion and decision-making within groups

• Serve as a resource for health information and as consultants for those requesting assistance in solving health-related problems.

• Assess the health needs of individuals or groups by collecting and analyzing information about health status, social and cultural environments, needs and interests, and available resources.

• Engage collaboratively with Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS), leveraging cross-training in DIS methodologies, to strategically respond to insights derived from STI morbidity data, pinpoint deficiencies in provider education, and improve community health literacy, with a primary focus on STI prevention while also assisting with other prevention efforts as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Public Speaking- delivering oral presentations to audiences with the objective of informing, educating, and promoting health-related knowledge and behaviors.

• Community Outreach - enables direct engagement with the community, fostering trust and understanding.

• Program Evaluation - systematically assesses the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of health programs, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based, resources are optimally utilized, and health outcomes are improved.

• Research Analysis - enables evidence-based decision-making, ensuring the provision of accurate, up-to-date health information and interventions that are effective and tailored to meet the specific needs of the target population.

• Health Communication - effectively informs and influences individuals and communities about health choices, promotes health literacy, facilitates shared decision-making, and encourages behaviors that prevent illnesses and improve quality of life.

• Health Promotion- educating individuals and communities on how to maintain and improve their health through lifestyle choices, prevention strategies, and raising awareness on health issues.

• Other duties as assigned.

.