Health Educator II, (A266027-1), 204, Healthy Texas Babies

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and implement activities that support the Healthy Texas Mothers and Babies (HTMB) program, including safe infant sleep education, breastfeeding promotion, and maternal health initiatives.
• Develop and adapt culturally appropriate educational materials and outreach strategies to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in the community.
• Facilitate community trainings and classes for parents, caregivers, and partner organization on topics such as safe infant sleep, breastfeeding support, and continuity of care.
• Collaborate with hospitals and clinics to review discharge process to identify gaps in continuity of care.
• Lead partnerships with local coalitions to advance HTMB objectives.
• Provide technical assistance to employers seeking the Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite (TMFW) designation and promote workplace lactation support.
• Conduct informational sessions for community groups, organizations, and employers on TMFW designation.
• Collect, analyze, and report program data, including attendance, surveys, and performance metrics, to evaluate the effectiveness of program.
• Monitor local maternal and infant health trends to inform strategic planning and program objectives.
• Use local maternal/infant health data (example: birth outcomes, breastfeeding rates, safe sleep practices) to identify high-need neighborhoods and prioritize outreach efforts.
• Create dashboards or reports summarizing outreach outcomes and share with stakeholders to demonstrate progress towards HTMB objectives.
• Communicate effectively with diverse populations in English and Spanish.
• Respond to inquiries from community members and partner organizations regarding HTMB resources.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to stakeholders, community groups, and professional networks on HTMB initiatives.
• Utilize technology and software for documentation, presentations, virtual meetings, and social media engagement aligned with HTMB messaging.
• Develop communication campaigns that promote HTMB goals through social media, advertisement, and print materials.
• Monitors and evaluates progress of the Healthy Texas Mothers and Babies (HTMB) Program.
• Participate in professional development and training to stay current on best practices.
• Apply knowledge of public health principles and maternal/infant best practices.
• Assist in grant reporting and documentation to ensure compliance with funding requirements.
• Ensure all activities adhere to state and local health department compliance policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of

• Knowledge of English/Spanish grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of health education and promotion.
• Knowledge of maternal and infant health topics, including breastfeeding, safe infant sleep, and workplace lactation support.
• Knowledge of health behavior theories and models used in public health.
• Knowledge of community outreach strategies and coalition-building techniques.
• Knowledge of state and federal maternal/child health initiatives (Texas Ten Step).
• Knowledge of risk factors and social determinants of health (SDOH) impacting maternal/infant health.
• Knowledge of data collection, analysis, and reporting methods.
• Knowledge of basics of budgeting and resource allocation for program activities.
• Knowledge of confidentiality standards.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and digital communication strategies for public health messaging.
• Knowledge of virtual meeting platforms (Webex, Teams).
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Skills and Abilities:

• Skilled in excellent verbal and written communication for reporting, grant writing, and public presentations.
• Skilled in planning, organizing, and facilitating community trainings and outreach events.
• Skilled in developing culturally appropriate educational materials and health communication strategies.
• Skilled in analyzing local health trends and use data to guide program strategies.
• Skilled in problem-solving and addressing challenges.
• Skilled in building and maintaining partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and employers.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and emerging public health needs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to display strong interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain professional relationships with staff, city departments, and the public.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
• Ability to meet schedules and deadlines for multiple projects and initiatives.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.
• Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Effort Requirements Position will have the following exposures

• Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment Locations Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments
 
 Never

• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Construction site
• Confined space 
• Warehouse environment

Sometimes

• Outdoor environment
• Vehicles

Often

• Office or similar indoor environment

Exposures Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements

Never

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Moving mechanical parts
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Seldom

• Communicable diseases

Sometimes

• Individuals who are hostile or irate
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

Travel Position will require the employee to travel

Never:

• International travel

Sometimes:

• Regional travel
• National travel

Frequently

• Local travel

Required Education and Experience

• Associate's degree or 60 completed college hours from an accredited college/university.

• At least three (3) years of experience in health education and health wellness promotions. Phlebotomy training is preferred.

Proof of TB Test/Screening will be required to be presented prior to employment.

 *Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.)

Valid Licenses or Certifications

• Valid Texas Driver License.  If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of  employment.

As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.

Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7480, two days prior to the scheduled test and/or interview.

City of Laredo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer.           

We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and core values.