Community Health Assistant III

Job Description:

Community Health Assistant III

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSISTANT III

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive a salary range increase on the following date:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the needs of the County are met. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Community Health Assistant III vacancies within the Health Care Agency. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

First Round of Consideration: Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM (PST).

THE AGENCY
The County of Orange , Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

THE DEPARTMENT
Through assessment, policy development and assurance, Public Health Services provides a wide range of services aimed at reducing death and disability by reducing the transmission of communicable diseases, preventing and lessening the impact of chronic diseases, and ensuring healthy and safe environments.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Community Health Assistant III’s may work in two funded areas, Women’s, Infants & Children (WIC) and CalFresh Health Living (CFHL).

The Community Health Assistant III (WIC) is responsible for the implementation of outreach and breastfeeding promotion and support per Federal and State of CA requirements. This position is primarily funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the State of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Programs. Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Determine eligibility for the WIC Program by screening and enrolling applicants and re-certifying clients using prescribed protocols

• Prepare and provide direct education individually, nutrition/breastfeeding classes to WIC participants in small or large groups, as well as promote online education classes

• Prescribe food packages and issue benefits to WIC participants

• Provide referrals to other health and social services, and develop care plans for low-risk participants

• Develop care plans for low-risk participants which includes, reviewing immunizations for up-to-date status, taking hemoglobin readings using non-invasive screening methods

• Assist Nutritionists with interpretation of WIC regulations to clients and to other clinic staff

• Provide breastfeeding education, support and promotion to group education and individualized breastfeeding counseling to WIC participants experiencing breastfeeding problems, issue manual and electric breast pumps and conducting follow-ups

• Conduct WIC outreach and breastfeeding education and promotion to local health providers, community organizations, worksites and other venues to enhance awareness of WIC breastfeeding support services

• Implement strategies as defined by (CDPH) WIC’s requirements and responsibilities of the Local Agency Regional Breastfeeding Liaison (RBL) and Action Plan to meet statewide goals and objectives. These Strategies include but are not limited to:

• Narrow breastfeeding support gaps by working with hospitals, health care providers, breastfeeding coalitions, employers, community stakeholders and WIC
• Focus on strategies for improving WIC breastfeeding initiation and duration rates
• Increase referrals from community health care organizations and partners to WIC and WIC breastfeeding services throughout Orange County

The Community Health Assistant III funded by the (CFHL) program is needed to conduct direct and indirect education, technical assistance, and support activities that result in policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes. This position is primarily funded by the (USDA) to the (CDPH), CFHL program. Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct direct and indirect nutrition to participants of all age groups (Pre-K, children, adults, older adults) via classes, community event booths, and material distribution

• Interact with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-Ed eligible population at events held in community centers, community-based organizations, schools, grocery stores, food pantries, Social Services Agency offices, etc.

• Lead Policy, Systems, Environmental (PSE) projects with partners and clients at schools, after school sites, grocery stores, food pantries, and parks

• Facilitate workshops for participants on a variety of nutrition and other topics.

• Act as lead at events and serve as a liaison between the community and Nutrition Services

• Represent Nutrition Services and CFHL at community meetings

• Complete assessments to determine community needs and behavior change

• Prepare materials as needed and collect information as required for mandated reports

• Complete external communications with partners

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess three (3) or more years of experience in public health and/or working with the community. Proficient bilingual skills in Spanish is highly desirable for this position.

Additionally, to the above, the ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE | EXPERIENCE
• Ability to determine client eligibility for the WIC program by enrolling or recertifying clients
• Ability to stay apprised of changes in Federal and State WIC and (SNAP-Ed) regulations in order to maintain compliance for WIC and SNAP-Ed eligible participants
• Ability to entering participant information into the WIC/CFHL data system using a computer with accuracy
• Knowledge of and the ability to educate on the basics and health benefits of breastfeeding
• Ability to address and provide guidance to resolve common issues experienced by breastfeeding parents to support continuation of breastfeeding
• Basic nutrition and/or health education

Relationship Building | Interpersonal Skills
• Forming and maintaining a positive & professional image of the HCA Nutrition Services by establishing a strong trust and creating a positive rapport with the WIC participants, partners, and community
• Providing customer service to clients/customers
• Establishing and cultivating effective working and relationships with various staff members, community agencies, and resources
• Exhibiting diplomacy and skills in community organization and collaboration

Oral | Written Communication Skills
• Communicating effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing with individuals who may be facing medical, socioeconomic challenges, as well as external and internal partners within the Agency
• Presenting nutrition and breastfeeding information that actively engages the audience in WIC clinics, health care provider offices, community centers and other venues
• Presenting nutrition information that actively engages students/adults and/or school entities, community-based partners
• Catering presentations and information that are culturally appropriate to various communities of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds
• Utilizing a variety of computer programs to disseminate information, develop presentations and promote key breastfeeding and other nutrition and physical activity messages
• Work successfully in a team as well as independently

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Community Health Assistant III classification as well as the physical and mental requirements and the environmental and working conditions.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements
The County of Orange is committed to providing a means for applicants who may have a disability to identify areas in which they may request a reasonable accommodation. The following is a description of the physical and mental abilities, which are customarily required to perform the essential job functions of this position. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Recruiter for any questions or to request an accommodation during the testing/selection process.

Possess vision sufficient to read standard text, blueprints and a computer monitor and to drive a vehicle; speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person to individuals and groups and over the telephone; possess body mobility sufficient to frequently walk over uneven terrain and to stand, sit, bend, stoop, twist at the waist and frequently turn the neck up and down and side to side; possess manual dexterity to operate keyboards and write. Some assignments require ability to lift 30 lbs.

Possess the ability to independently reason logically to analyze data, reach conclusions and make recommendations and decisions; possess the ability to remain calm and appropriately focused in difficult interpersonal situations involving diverse interests, conflict and firm deadlines.

Environmental Conditions
Will be required to: work in an office and field environment, where a high level of noise is present; drive to community sites and to meetings; work some evenings, weekends; some sites are fixed and others require set-up. Must be able to work at different sites with little advance notice.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all applications to identify qualified candidates. After screening, only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the next step in the selection procedures. Candidates will receive notification via e-mail of further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Application Screening | Application Rating (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Online Assessment (Weighted 100%)
Applicants who meet desirable qualifications will be invited to participate in a series of online examinations related to the essential job functions. The most successful candidates will be placed on an eligible list.

Based on the Agency/Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. Candidates will be notified via e-mail of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.

Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Rosemary Donisat rdonis@ochca.com or (714) 834-6761.

EEO INFORMATION


Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$44,366.40 - $58,905.60 Annually