Community Health Worker - Houston County

The following county has a vacancy:   Houston County  deadline to apply is 08/28/2026

As defined by the CHW Section of the American Public Health Association:  A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.

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.
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.

• The community health worker serves as a bridge between the community and the health care, government and social service systems.
• The CHW will complete billable and non-billable activities including chronic disease management education. 
• Enhance care quality by aiding communication between provider and patient to clarify cultural practices 
• Educate community members about how to use the health care and social service systems
• Educate the health and social service systems about community needs and perspectives  
• Establish better communication processes
• Increase access to primary care through culturally competent outreach and enrollment strategies
• Make referrals and coordinate services
• Teach people the knowledge and skills needed to obtain care
• Facilitate continuity of care by providing follow-up
• Enroll clients into programs such as health insurance and public assistance
• Link clients to and inform them of available community resources
• Articulate and advocate needs of community and individuals to others
• Be a spokesperson for clients when they are unable to speak for themselves 3. Involve participants in self and community advocacy
• Map communities to help locate and support needed services
• Promote wellness by providing culturally appropriate health information to clients and providers
• Educate clients on disease prevention
• Assist clients in self-management of chronic illnesses and medication adherence
• Provide individual social and health care support
• Organize and/or facilitate support groups
• Refer and link to preventive services through health screenings and healthcare information
• Conduct health related screenings
• Build individual capacity to achieve wellness
• Build community capacity by addressing social determinants of health
• Identify individual and community needs
• Mentor other CHWs – capacity building
• Seek professional development (continuing education)
• See Minnesota Department of Health website for the Community Health Worker Toolkit as well as general information on the Community Health Worker

Merit System Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification from an accredited program or must obtain within 2 years of hire. (CHW Certification Curriculum) 
• One (1) year of related Community Health experience.
• Certificate within one (1) year of employment
  -AND-
  • Minnesota DHS Community Health Worker Merit qualified
• Experience in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Publisher.

The examination will consist entirely of a rating of education and experience based on applicants answers to the scored supplemental questions.

Submit an application by clicking on the following link: 573-OC - Community Health Worker

In addition to the Merit System Application, candidates must apply directly to Houston County at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/houstonmn 
Application deadline: 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2026.