Community Education Specialist I/II

SALARY INFORMATION

Community Education Specialist I: $4,678 - $5,971 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY*/ $26.99 - $34.44 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Community Education Specialist II: $5,058 - $6,455 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $29.18 - $37.24 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

*Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases* Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous.

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with communities to protect and improve the health and well-being of Shasta County residents. Established in 2006, the HHSA is organized into four branches: Behavioral Health & Social Services, Public Health, Economic Mobility, with a centralized Administration Services. The HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill and those without resources look to the HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety. This transformation improves efficiency, avoids unnecessary duplication of effort, encourages collaboration among programs and organizes the HHSA’s services to be more responsive to the needs of the public.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Positions in this classification may be assigned to specific duty assignments in different departments that emphasize particular kinds of knowledge and skills. The common thread is that under close supervision, incumbents will learn to plan and implement community education and outreach activities; media plans; assist in the coordination of programs; and other duties as assigned.

In the Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health, program areas may include chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS, tobacco use prevention, maternal, child, and adolescent health (MCAH), physical activity promotion, senior health and wellness, prevention of abuse and neglect of dependent adults and children, injury prevention, and other public health prevention programs. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Community Education Specialist I

This is an entry-level class in the Community Education Specialist series. Under supervision, incumbent will perform a variety of public information, community education and program coordination activities. As skill is gained, supervision is reduced, and an incumbent performs the required duties more independently.

Community Education Specialist II

This is the experienced, journey level class in the Community Education Specialist series. Incumbents in this class perform more complex Community Education Specialist duties under limited supervision. Incumbent will perform a variety of public information and community education activities; coordinate comprehensive programs to address community health needs; and may oversee subordinate work. 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for the Community Education Specialist (CES) position has a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Public Health and experience in the public health field; is interested in a variety of public health program areas including the use of policy, system, and environmental change to promote/facilitate physical activity, healthy nutrition, and mental well-being in the prevention of chronic health conditions; and can think across interrelated public health themes. They are innovative, can work autonomously, be a strategic thinker, prioritize deadlines, think sequentially, and collaborate with others. The successful candidate will be able to write, communicate, and present public health materials and information within the subject matter. This candidate must be willing to learn and be adaptable to a variety of public health programs. Furthermore, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their cultural competency to a variety of populations, a willingness to help others, and compassion to those who they serve in the community. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have experience building relationships and partnering with key stakeholders to accomplish common goals. Expertise in community engagement, social media communication, and graphic design is strongly preferred as well as the ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed.

The ideal candidate for the Community Education Specialist (CES) position in the Substance Abuse Prevention program has some or all the following:

• Understanding of prevention and strategies to prevent alcohol and drug use
• Experience utilizing social media in marketing or behavior change campaigns
• Knowledge of the Substance Abuse Block Grant prevention set-aside
• Experience writing grants, reports, plans and other professional documents
• Ability to leverage networks and partnerships to collaborate on projects and activities
• Ability to develop and provide educational presentations 
• Excellent attention to detail 
• A passion for helping youth and families make positive behavioral choices
• An understanding of the Strategic Prevention Framework
• Experience coordinating or facilitating coalitions, collaboratives, or other partnerships of multiple stakeholders
• Understanding alcohol and drug prevention strategies that fall under areas in the Spectrum of Prevention

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Community Education Specialist I

Plans, implements, and evaluates health education activities/programs; collects and analyzes health-related data; coordinates activities with other department programs and outside organizations; plans, conducts and/or participates in special events, community meetings, focus groups, workshops, in-service trainings, conferences, and health fairs; prepares and gives presentations to the general public, schools, business and professional groups; prepares and utilizes educational and promotional materials such as visual aids, brochures, newsletters, displays, news releases, advertisements, training materials, etc.; coordinates volunteers; develops or selects appropriate health education materials and promotional items; plans and conducts media events (e.g. news conferences) and participates in interviews with the media; serves on state or local advisory boards; represents the Department on community groups, coalitions or collaboratives; supports community or Department efforts to promote, research, develop, and implement policies as primary prevention tools; writes formal letters, meeting agendas, health articles, public health summary reports, etc.; and prepares and maintains reports and other documentation of health education activities. A current Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certificate is highly desirable for positions in the Community Education Specialist series within Public Health.

Community Education Specialist II

Provides leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health education activities/programs; collects and analyzes health-related data; coordinates activities with other department programs and outside organizations; plans, conducts and/or participates in special events, community meetings, focus groups, workshops, in-service trainings, conferences, and health fairs; prepares and gives presentations to the general public, schools, business and professional groups; prepares and utilizes educational and promotional materials such as visual aids, brochures, newsletters, displays, news releases, advertisements, training materials, etc.; coordinates volunteers; develops or selects appropriate health education materials and promotional items; plans and conducts media events (e.g. news conferences) and participates in interviews with the media; serves on state or local advisory boards; represents the Department on community groups,  coalitions or collaboratives; supports community or Department efforts to promote, research, develop, and implement policies as primary prevention tools; writes formal letters, meeting agendas, health articles, public health summary reports, etc.; and prepares and maintains reports and other documentation of health education activities. A current Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certificate is highly desirable for positions in the Community Education Specialist series within Public Health.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of health education, environmental education, social and behavioral sciences, and health behavior change as they apply to public health; mental health, or human services; methods and uses of mass communication, media, social marketing, and media advocacy; statistical concepts and methods for collecting, compiling and interpreting data; principles, methods, techniques, theories and practices of health education and public health or human services; underlying determinants of health and risk factors for disease/injury, or social welfare principles and practices; principles and practices of program management, including funding, developing and evaluating program quality and effectiveness.

Ability to: Plan, assign, supervise and oversee the work of other personnel; demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills; develop budgets, proposals, and grant applications; establish and maintain effective working relationships; provide leadership to community coalitions or collaboratives; operate a personal computer and use common software; write or edit clear and effective reports, correspondence, and educational materials; interpret health related data and communicate it to the public in a meaningful way; interpret federal, state, local laws and regulations and applicable data relating to specific health issues (e.g. tobacco, injury prevention), implement, evaluate or oversee community education or outreach programs or activities; develop and conduct effective presentations or trainings for school, professional and community groups; design or review brochures, advertisements and newsletters; evaluate effectiveness of programs.

Community Education Specialist I

These employment standards are typically attained with possession of a bachelor’s degree in communication, public relations, marketing, journalism, public health, health education, community health, or a closely related field; AND at least one (1) year of experience in performing public health education, community education or other closely related duties. A master’s degree in related discipline may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Community Education Specialist II

These employment standards are typically attained with possession of a bachelor’s degree in public health, health education, community health, human services, communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, community education, or a closely related field, AND at least two (2) years of experience in performing public health education, community education or other closely related duties. A master’s degree in a related discipline may substitute for one (1) year of experience.  A master’s degree in public health, Environmental Sciences, or Social Work may substitute for two (2) years of experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

• Possession of an appropriate California driver’s license. 

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. List your relevant educational background in public health, health education, community health, or a closely related field.   Please list degrees, credentials, and certifications earned. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A. 
2. Describe your experience performing public health or community education, implementing population-based primary prevention strategies, coordinating events or training exercises, or other closely related duties. Include information about subject matter(s) covered, types of tasks and activities implemented, names of organizations, and the number of years associated with your experience. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A. 
3. Describe your experience in preventing alcohol and drug use in youth or adults. If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A. 
4. What is your experience monitoring grants, including developing scopes of work, implementing grant activities, and maintaining budgets? If you do not have this type of experience, please type N/A.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.   The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.   The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Positions in Resource Management may work at household hazardous waste collection events and waste tire collection events requiring working on uneven surfaces both paved and unpaved, wearing appropriate protective clothing in various weather conditions, and being exposed to a variety of household-type chemicals under appropriately regulated conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, vehicle exhaust fumes, and outside weather conditions.  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing.
• Shasta County participates in E-Verify. For more information visit https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPoster.pdf (Download PDF reader). If you do not have internet access, contact Personnel at (530) 225-5515 to request a flyer.
• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California – General.
• Employees in this classification are covered under the CalPERS retirement program. Depending on the provisions of the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and other applicable laws, an employee in this classification will be covered under one of the following CalPERS retirement formulas: (1) 2% at 55, (2) 2% at 60, or (3) 2% at 62. An employee in this classification will also contribute up to 9.5% his/her pay to this plan or will contribute such other amount to the plan as authorized by PEPRA and other applicable laws. Please visit our employees benefit page at https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/employee-benefits for additional information regarding benefits and CalPERS coverage information. The provisions in this flyer and on the County’s website are for information purposes only. To the extent the provisions of the flyer or the County’s website are inconsistent with PEPRA and other applicable laws, PEPRA and other applicable laws shall govern.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 5:00 p.m., on April 08, 2024. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

Veterans' Credit: Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran MUST provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) WITH THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL FILING DATE. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515