Substance Use Prevention Health Educator Health Department

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Represents the Division of Community Health Services in countywide health education, health promotion, and risk reduction programs. The Health Educator supports the Substance Use Prevention (SUP) Program in advancing evidence-based strategies for substance use prevention, health promotion, and risk reduction across Salt Lake County. This position builds and strengthens relationships with community coalitions, decision makers, contracted service providers, community partners, and public health staff to support prevention initiatives and improve community health outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a self-directed, creative problem-solver and strong relationship builder who enjoys working in the community and collaborating with diverse partners. The position requires strong presentation and training facilitation skills, the ability to interpret community and program data, and excellent organizational, professional writing, and time-management skills. The successful candidate will be eager to learn and apply prevention science and evidence-based strategies to prevent substance use and misuse. Occasional travel throughout Salt Lake County is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Health Education, Health Science, Public Health, Early Childhood Education, Community Health, or Behavioral Science and Health with an emphasis in Health Education; OR an equivalent combination of related education and experience.

Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP Back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements.

A valid Driver's License accepted by the State of Utah is required at the time of hire. A valid Driver's License issued by the State of Utah must be obtained within six (6) months of hire to operate a county vehicle.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops, plans, and implements health education, behavior risk reduction, and outreach programs.• Assesses health education needs and priorities of various populations using appropriate assessment tools.• Develops, conducts, and evaluates the effectiveness of health education/health promotion programs.• Creates marketing and educational materials; promotes events through various marketing methods.• Acts as a resource providing links to communities.• Creates and implements policy focused on population-based behavior change.• Develops and prepares required reports and documents.• Collaborates with internal and community agencies to accomplish stated objectives.• Acts as a representative of the agency and program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:

• Health Education theory• Preventive health strategies and risk reduction techniques• Techniques of effective program planning, development, and implementation• Evaluation methodologies, including instrument design, data collection, analysis, and reporting techniques • Community organization methods• Recent developments in the fields of health education, health promotion, healthy lifestyle, and risk reduction • Federal, State, and local regulations related to medical, health care, and public law• Computer operations and uses, including word processing, graphics, spreadsheets, and presentation design• Program marketing, Public relations, and media relations methods and techniques• Effective communication techniques, including audio-visual use• Principles, methods, and techniques of conducting field and/or special studies and investigations using scientific research methods and techniques• Medical terminology

Skills and Abilities to:

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing• Communicate and deal effectively with public, government, business, and community leaders• Use a word processor/computer• Prepare and explain data by written, graphic, or verbal methods• Work effectively with people from a variety of social, ethnic, economic, educational, and professional backgrounds• Work with minimum supervision and act independently• Design and implement evaluation methodologies, scientific studies, needs assessments, data collection, and reporting mechanisms• Interpret and follow instructions• Work effectively in team settings

Additional Information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION

This position works Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and may require some evening and weekend work due to program needs. This position is hybrid, with two days in the office required.