Community Health Educator

Job Title: Community Health Educator 

Department: Ivy Center for Family Wellness

Reports To: Ivy Center for Family Wellness Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Summary:

Community Health Educators (CHEs) support the delivery of culturally responsive, evidence-based health education, chronic disease prevention, participant engagement, outreach, and care coordination services for underserved individuals and families.

CHEs work within a team-based model and assume increasing responsibility, independence, leadership, and operational oversight as they progress through the career ladder. The career ladder is designed to support workforce development and provide opportunities for individuals entering the health professions to gain experience while developing the skills necessary for advancement within the organization.

Position Overview:

Community Health Educators support education programs, participant engagement, outreach, documentation, and community partnerships.

All levels are cross-trained, with increasing expectations for independent program delivery, leadership, mentoring, program ownership, and operational oversight.

Core Functions (All Levels)

Education & Participant Support

• Deliver culturallyappropriate healtheducation and behavior change support.
• Support participant engagement, retention, and follow-up.

• Assistparticipants in overcoming barriers to health and self-management.

Program Operations

• Support education programs, workshops, and outreach activities.
• Prepare educational materials and resources.
• Participate in community outreach and recruitment efforts.

Documentation & Quality

• Maintainaccurateandtimelydocumentation.
• Collect participant data and outcomes.
• Support quality improvement efforts and program evaluation activities.

Community Health Educator I (Level 1)

Position Summary

• Entry-level position focused on developing foundational skills in participant engagement, education delivery, documentation, and program operations while working under supervision.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Assistswith education program delivery and participant support activities.
• Supports participant outreach, enrollment, scheduling, and follow-up.
• Collects and documents participant information and outcomes.
• Assistswithpreparationof educational materials and program resources.
• Participates in outreach events and community engagement activities.

• Supports volunteers, interns, and program activities as directed.
• Completes required organizational and departmental training.
• Builds competency across all program areas.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree, bachelor’s degree in progress, or coursework in Public Health, Health Education, Nutrition, Community Health, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in customer service, community outreach, education, volunteer programs, or healthcare preferred.
• Interest in chronic disease prevention and community health.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Community Health Educator II (Level 2)

Position Summary

• Provides education services independently and assumes ownership of assigned program activities, participant cohorts, and outreach initiatives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs all Level 1 duties.
• Independently delivers education services and program activities.
• Facilitates individual and group education sessions with minimal supervision.
• Manages assigned participant cohorts and program activities.
• Coordinates participant follow-up, retention, and re-engagement efforts.
• Supports onboarding and training of volunteers, interns, andnew staff.

• Provides guidance and support to Level 1CHEs.
• Participates in quality improvement and workflow enhancement activities.
• Coordinates outreach and community engagement activities.
• Troubleshoots routine participant and operational challenges.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in a health-related field preferred.
• Advanced certifications encouraged (CHW, National DPP Lifestyle Coach, DTR/NDTR, etc.).
• Typically2+ years of community health, health education, healthcare, or related experience, or demonstrated proficiency through successful performance as a Level 1 CHE.
• Successful completion of Level 2 competency checklist.
• Lead Community Health Educator

Position Summary

• Serves as a senior educator and functional leader, providing mentorship, workflow support, program coordination, and subject matter expertisewhilemaintainingdirect participant responsibilities.
• The Lead CHE does not serve as a formal supervisor but supports staff development and day-to-day operations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs all Level 1 and Level 2 duties.
• Serves as a mentor and resource for CHE staff.
• Assists with onboarding, training, and coaching of staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Coordinates day-to-day program workflows and staffing coverage.
• Supports implementation of new programs and services.
• Assists with quality improvement, program evaluation, and outcome tracking.

• Supports participant retention and engagement initiatives.
• Identifies workflow barriers and recommends operational improvements.
• Serves as liaison between frontline staff and department leadership.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a health-related field preferred.
• Advanced certifications preferred (CHW, National DPP Lifestyle Coach, DTR/NDTR, etc.).
• Typically4+ years of progressively responsible community health, health education, or healthcare experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and program ownership.
• Successful completion of Lead CHE competency checklist.

Advancement Policy

Advancement through the Community Health Educator Career Ladder is based on demonstrated competencies, performance, leadership behaviors, successful completion of level-specific competency checklists, organizational needs, and supervisory recommendation.

Eligibility for advancement may be reviewed annually. Advancement is not guaranteed and is not based solely on length of service.

Recommended Internal Progression Framework

Level 1

• Learning role
• Works under supervision
• Focus on skill development and competency acquisition

Level 2

• Independent contributor
• Owns assigned programs, classes, or participant cohorts
• Supports training of others

Lead

• Functional leader
• Mentors staff and coordinates workflows
• No formal supervisory authority