Senior Community Health Specialist

The Fairfax County Health Department is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds. With more than 100 years of leadership in the field, we are committed to promoting population health, protecting public health and the environment, and ensuring residents' equitable access to health services and information.

This Senior Disease Investigation Coordinator performs a diverse range of professional level planning, facilitation, project and case management, and communication activities necessary to engage communities in Fairfax County. Develops, coordinates, and communicates investigation plans for priority Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases. Leads and supervises planned investigations to include communication, facilitating client assessments, and case reviews. Conducts case reviews to ensure quality assurance and makes recommendations for process improvement; mentors and provides guidance to Community Health Disease Investigation Specialist (DIS) staff in patient and provider interactions.

This position serves to expand capacity to implement the STI and HIV program strategic activities, coordinate intra-agency consultations, and provide a variety of services to diverse high-risk populations in the district using a multi-disciplinary approach. Services and interventions for at-risk individuals and populations include outreach, case finding, health promotion, disease prevention, education, and partner notification. Ensures equity, health promotion and public health STI and HIV messaging plans are developed for targeted outreach to populations within the county with greatest health disparities. Prepares both written and oral reports, organizes and leads team meetings, attends and participates in the NOVA STI/HIV Taskforce committee and other state and regional working groups. Provides education and training to Community Health/Disease Investigation Specialists, agency staff, providers, and the community. Serves as backup to unit supervisor to assign cases and serve as point of contact (POC) to work with VDH on priority cases. Must have a strong working knowledge of subject matter (STIs and HIV), management skills, and use of computers.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Engages individuals, families, groups, community-based organizations, and county agencies in activities that identify and raise awareness of public health concerns;
• Utilizes a variety of community engagement tools and techniques to achieve a high degree of civic engagement and to promote community self-sufficiency;
• Responsible for the identification and monitoring of emerging issues and the sharing of that information with the broader system to help proactively conduct activities to offset the impact of these issues;
• Engages the community and others in the development of county human services initiatives;
• Partners with the community and others in working toward positive community out-comes;
• Supports the community in taking a prevention orientated approach to responding to issues and concerns;
• Acts to recommend and implement changes based upon evidence-based evaluations and community concerns;
• Informs the development of health education programs for specific target populations with emphasis on prevention and control of communicable and chronic diseases.
• Connects residents, neighborhood associations, faith groups, and businesses with information about county services and public health programs;
• Makes presentations utilizing cultural and linguistically appropriate materials and adult learning concepts;
• Serves as a liaison with other public health oriented community, regional or state education groups;
• May assist the Public Health Emergency Management Coordinator in educating the community on pandemic preparedness in addition to emergency preparedness activities.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of communities being served, cultural diversities and resources available;
• Knowledge of disease management/health promotions models that target the treatment of disease in symptomatic or at-risk individuals;
• Ability to formulate goals, objectives, schedules, and priorities for activities that support the accomplishment of projects and programs;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, coworkers, County officials, public- and private-sector organizations, community groups, and the public;
• Ability to plan, develop and/or deliver health education programs to specific target populations including health promotion, wellness and prevention programs;
• Ability to work independently and deliver health education presentations within the community;
• Ability to work predominantly with adults, applying learning concepts;
• Ability to communicate effectively through the use of verbal, written and electronic means;
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software to prepare documents and to store, manipulate, analyze, and present information.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in health education, human services, or a directly related field; plus four years of experience in community capacity building, public and/or community health education, or other types of health-related work involving considerable public contact.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid driver's license
• CPR required within 60 days of hire
• AED required within 60 days of hire

• The appointee to this position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services (CPS) check, and a driving record check.
• This position is considered "essential personnel" and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).

• Robust knowledge of public health principles and practices in the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infection, including HIV.
• Ability to plan, develop and verbally deliver health education materials to specific target populations.
• Experience working independently and leading a team.
• Must communicate effectively through the use of verbal, written and electronic means.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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