DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  Work involves assisting the Public Health Educator in organization and implementation of educational efforts regarding public health needs. Responsibilities include assisting with surveying public health education needs as well as organizing workshops, forums and discussion groups to meet those needs. Additional responsibilities include assisting in planning and implementing educational programs for the general population and specially targeted populations. Depending upon assignment, may develop and implement educational programs and campaigns on specific health issues, such as child injury and death, AIDS, etc. This position differs from Assistant Public Health Educator in the increased responsibilities and level of independent judgment required to carry out the details of the work. Direct supervision is received from the Public Health Educator or other higher level staff. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative only)

• Provides educational presentations and programs regarding public health issues to schools, senior citizens, and other community groups and members as assigned;
• Prepares and distributes health educational materials including displays, press releases, newsletters, pamphlets, posters, exhibits and audio-visual presentations to support and advertise a variety of events and programs planned throughout the year, or to support specific programs as assigned;
• Develops and implements programs relative to specific health issues and prevention of specific health problems, as assigned;
• Responds to health-related information requests from the public, as needed;
• Assists with data collection and community surveys relative to public health education needs;
• Assists with analysis of data and compiles reports relative to statistics, factors, information and/or patterns;
• Prepares monthly reports for department staff relative to local health education data and information;
• Participates in, and represents the County at, meetings of public health coalitions and other community organizations, as assigned;
• Participates in the planning of community events such as health fairs and expos, 4-H Fair, Safety Shows, etc.;
• Participates in departmental and county staff meetings and health education meetings;
• May organize training programs for first responders, investigating officials, etc., relative to specific health issues, as assigned;
• May assist with AIDS education programs, as assigned;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of public health education; working knowledge of community organization work; working knowledge of epidemiology, data collection and behavioral and attitudinal surveys; ability to plan, advertise and conduct educational seminars and workshops; ability to survey public health education needs; ability to track programs and make recommendations; ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing with groups and individuals; ability to establish and maintain effective relations with community agencies; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to deal effectively and objectively with clients and community groups of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and cultures; good listening skills; social perceptiveness; sound judgment; initiative; resourcefulness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either

1. Masters degree in Public Health, Health Education, Nursing or closely related field and one (1) year of experience in the fields of public health, health education or nursing; or
2. Bachelors degree in Public Health, Health Education, Nursing or closely related field and two (2) year of experience in the fields of public health, health education or nursing;
3. Bachelor's degree in marketing, human services, social work or psychology and three (3) years experience in health education or public health services; or
4. An equivalent combination of training and experience as described above.

NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Access to transportation may be required to complete possible field work assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

2/99; 10/07; 1/09; 8/10

Competitive Class