HEALTH EDUCATOR, X20

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education/promotion programs.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions in this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• Conducts needs assessments at the individual, organizational, and community levels to determine appropriate theoretical basis from which to initiate programmatic and strategic planning.
• Conducts programmatic and strategic planning with stakeholders in regard to health issues and infrastructure development.
• Implements and/or monitors the implementation of evidence based health education curricula and health promotion programs with an emphasis on program completeness, fidelity, and evaluation.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of health education/promotion programs and makes necessary changes.
• Assists in the development of grant related documents and proposals.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with agencies, communities, or organizations in determining the need for specialized health education programs and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of such programs; this includes strategic planning, the use of logic models, development of performance measures, and specific application of health behavior theory.
• Prepares and delivers public presentations for selected audiences.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

The Health Educator job family consists of three levels, which are distinguished by the complexity of the duties performed, the depth and breadth of accountability, and the level of expertise required for completion of assigned tasks.

Level I                                     Code:  X20A                                         Salary Band:  K

This is the career level where incumbents perform work at the full performance level in assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating health education/promotion programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of public health problems, principles and practices; of theoretical concepts of health behavior and application of such; of group organization and leadership; of community infrastructure development; of current social and economic problems as they relate to public heath; of statistical methods; of basic epidemiology; and of grant preparation.  Ability is required to speak to the public; to organize communities, establish and facilitate coalitions, and direct groups; to prepare a variety of educational materials, such as pamphlets, bulletins, oral presentations, articles for publication, newsletters and curricula; to use personal computers and applicable software such as word processing and digital/video presentation; and to show cultural competence in working with diverse populations.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Bachelors degree in Health Education, Health Promotions, Community Health, Kinesiology and Health Studies, Health Behavior, or Nursing.  A bachelors or masters degree in another field with an official transcript demonstrating completion of 12 semester hours (or equivalent quarters) of coursework with specific preparation addressing areas of responsibility for Health Educators as defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing can substitute for specific degree requirement.

Level II                                                Code:  X20B                                         Salary Band:  L

This is the specialist level where incumbents are assigned advanced level responsibilities for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating health education programs such as serving as a team leader or lead worker on specific projects, programs, or activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus ability is required to coordinate and carry out advanced level projects.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus applicants must be eligible for certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) pursuant to the criteria established by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, or certification as a Registered Dietician pursuant to the criteria established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and/or the Board of Medical Licensure, or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Health/Fitness Instructor, or Certified Exercise Specialist pursuant to the criteria established by ACSM.

Level III                                   Code:  X20C                                         Salary Band:  M

This is the leadership level where incumbents are assigned responsibilities for the supervision of others in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating health education/promotion programs.  This will include assigning and reviewing work, providing educator skills training and technical assistance, insuring the completion of required tasks and related administrative duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level II plus knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus two additional years of experience of public health education or community development or a masters degree in Health Education, Health Promotion, Community Health, Kinesiology and Health Studies, Health Behavior, Nursing and eligible for certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) pursuant to the criteria established by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing plus one year experience of public health education or community development

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Some positions may require that the education and/or experience or the certification may be in a specific area.