Health Educator (Mycotic Diseases) - Hybrid

SUMMARY

Under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) cooperative agreement, Heluna Health and the Infectious Diseases Branch (IDB) of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are recruiting for a Health Educator to be part of the Mycotic Diseases team.

The Health Educator will work with staff in the CDPH IDB to improve educational outreach for coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever), a fungal disease endemic in California which has been increasing dramatically in recent years. The Health Educator’s primary responsibility will be to support the Public Health Medical Officer and other CDPH staff in leading public outreach efforts for Valley fever. Major projects of focus will be to: 1) support a digital storytelling project with participants who have been diagnosed with Valley fever; 2) develop communications plans; and 3) collaborate with the CDPH Occupational Health Branch in creating materials to improve Valley fever outreach and educational efforts among outdoor workers in construction and agriculture. Additional responsibilities will be to assist with outbreak investigations, development of awareness materials, and healthcare provider education and outreach.

Salary: $$74,880 - $86,868 annually depending on experience/qualifications.

This full-time, temporary position is grant funded through 07/31/2026. If funding is renewed, the position will be extended.

A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application.

If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require an accommodation).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Lead efforts for a Valley fever digital storytelling project, including contacting patients who have had Valley fever to determine interest in participation; creating an interview guide to conduct the interviews, and coordinating with CDPH communications staff to complete in-person or virtual interviews with participants
• Assist in development and implementation of a communications and outreach plan for outdoor workers including agricultural workers and their employers
• Assist with and develop strategies for Valley fever health education efforts for the public and healthcare providers, including oral presentations, written materials, and educational posters
• Assist in creation of educational materials for outdoor workers, in collaboration with the Occupational Health Branch
• Assist in updates to CDPH Valley fever website content
• Establish and maintain reliable, efficient, and effective methods for communicating with team members, partners, and patients via telephone and email
• Participate in conference calls with partners at CDPH, CDC, California local health departments, and other state and local health departments
• Perform other duties as directed by the DIS Chief
• Collaborate effectively in a team environment

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Assist with other health education projects in the section as time and interest allows

JOB QUALIFICATIONS 

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding public health or related issues
• Experience with patient interaction including conversations about sensitive information
• Ability to provide health education and communicate basic infectious disease information to patients and members of the public
• Knowledge and application of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements and protection of health information
• Prior experience conducting telephone-based patient interviews, preferred
• Prior knowledge and experience in use of CalREDIE, preferred
• Completes assignments in a timely and efficient manner
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and work independently
• Demonstrate reliability and integrity
• Fluency in spoken English is required; fluency in Spanish or other languages strongly preferred 

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in health education, communication, public health, or a closely related field, required
• Experience in public health or related field, required
• Experience presenting public health or related issues orally and in writing, required
• Experience with Microsoft products including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; strong knowledge of Word and Excel, required
• Experience with health education and outreach, required
• Experience conducting interviews with or working with patients or research participants, preferred
• Experience in developing and designing public health materials, preferred
• Experience with web design and Photoshop, InDesign, or Illustrator, desirable
• Media experience (print, video, radio, social media, or web) or social marketing experience, preferred
• Experience with writing training materials, preferred
• Experience with clinical terminology and interpreting laboratory testing results, preferred 

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities 

• Basic knowledge and experience with web design, preferred
• Experience working with interview/survey software, such as REDCap, preferred
• Experience working with protected health information and maintaining patient confidentiality, preferred
• Ability to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate a public health education program 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Frequently
• Handling / Fingering: Frequently
• Reach Outward: Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
• Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs
• Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs
• See (Vision): Constantly
• Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable 

KEY 

• Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently = (2+ - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly = (5+ hrs/day) 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

This is a hybrid position in Richmond, CA or Sacramento, CA. The work schedule will be determined by the supervisor.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.

Heluna Health is the leading provider of program services and fiscal sponsorship for over 500 population health projects. We empower public health agencies, academic researchers, public/private consortia, and nonprofits.