Job Description

Community Health Worker

Houston County is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time Public Health position of Community Health Worker to assist in promoting healthy communities/behaviors. This position will work directly with the public, creating a direct link between the community and PHHS; collect and assess data regarding community health needs and gaps; promote health education on numerous community health topics; and other duties as required. Houston County is now a Signatory Employer, with Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance. This allows individuals working towards their CHW certificate access to an apprenticeship model. Our model includes on the job learning, related technical instruction, and safety training.

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Public Health Supervisor, the Community Health Worker is a frontline public health worker who works directly with community members. This position is responsible for building trusting relationships with community members and provides a direct link between the community and Public Health and Human Services. A Community Health Worker builds individual and community health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, and providing social support and advocacy resources.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position works closely with and coordinates services with the Houston County Health Educator and Family Health Staff in carrying out public health services enumerated in Minn. Stat. §145A. 02, Subd. 1a. Areas of Public Health Responsibility. Under the supervision of the Public Health Supervisor, the Community Health Worker will assess community services, provide education, bridge gaps between health/social services and the community and compile data reports as requested.

Essential Duties

1. Program Delivery The Community Health Worker assists the Health Educator in promoting healthy communities and healthy behavior in:

• Collecting data and assessing community health services/needs, gaps, barriers, and disparities
• Promoting the establishment of effective health education programs
• Conducting home visits to provide education, referrals and build relationships
• Informing clients of and connecting community members to available County PHHS and community resources
• The development and implemention of comprehensive health promotion and health education programing throughout the County including the preparation, selection, evaluation and distribution of health education materials for community health topics including:
• Substance Abuse
• Emergency Preparedness
• Obesity
• Chronic health conditions
• Child safety
• Traffic and pedestrian safety
• Tobacco use
• Environmental health hazards (air/water quality and other potential health risks)
• Communicable diseases

2. Other Duties

• Maintain contemporary knowledge of health education by attending supervisor approved trainings and conferences
• Assist the Public Health Supervisor as assigned

Qualifications

Employment Standards Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• One (1) year of related Community Health experience
• Community Health Worker Certificate or able to obtain a CHW Certificate within one (1) year of employment
• AND Minnesota DHS Community Health Worker Merit qualified

Other Pre-Employment Standards/Requirements

• Pass a criminal history/background check

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Pre-Employment

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and Outlook
• Working knowledge of or ability to learn available Agency resources
• Ability to organize and coordinate job activities
• Skill and ability to establish and maintain accurate records
• Ability to use educational materials and equipment effectively
• Strong oral and written communication skills, inclusive of developing and delivering presentations to groups, and ability to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds and with whom may be highly emotional
• Ability to foster effective working relationships with Agency personnel and the staff of other County offices, the media, the public, and external professionals and agencies
• Ability to learn community resources

Post-Employment

• Working knowledge of REDCap
• Knowledge of the programs and policies of the agency

Data Notice

Persons with Disabilities The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodation may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act the following represents the physical/environmental demands

• Office Environment - X
• Sitting - X
• Standing, Walking - X
• Hand Dexterity - Simultaneous/ Repetitive Hand Movements - X
• Typing/Data Entry - X
• Close Vision (Near Acuity) - X
• Distance Vision (Far Acuity) - X
• Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors) - X
• Accommodation (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus) - X - X
• Hearing/Speech - X
• Sedentary (Exert up to 10 pounds of force) - X
• Light (Exert up to 20 pounds of force) - X
• Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds - X
• Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to fifty (50) pounds - X
• Lifting or pushing of objects over fifty (50) pounds - X
• Adverse movements such as overhead, bending, reaching - X

Notice A County employee in this position may encounter non-public data as defined by Minnesota or federal law in the course of their position. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that is necessary to fulfill the defined job duties. While data is being accessed, the employee shall take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data is not accessed by unauthorized individuals. Once the work purpose to access the data is reasonably finished, the employee must properly store and secure the not public data in accordance with applicable County policies as well as Minnesota and federal law. All employees are expected to become familiar with and comply with the requirements of the County's Data Practices and Data Security Policies. A breach of these policies may lead to disciplinary action against the employee.

Status: Non-Exempt Job Category: Office/Clerical Labor Group: AFSCME Banding: B22 Date Last Reviewed: 07.2026

Applying for this position requires two applications be submitted

1. Submit your application to the Minnesota Merit System for Community Health Worker by going to: and clicking on job posting: Community Health Worker (573-OC). Application deadline: 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2026.
2. Submit your online application to Houston County by clicking the green "APPLY" button on this page. Please attach a cover letter and copies of any applicable licenses/certifications to your application file. If special accommodations are needed to complete the application for employment form, please contact the Houston County Personnel Office at 507.725.5822. Application deadline: 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2026.

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