EDUCATOR (PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATOR)

Position Overview

This position functions as a public health educator for the women’s healthline. The position responsibilities are include, but are not limited to:  answering calls, returning messages, providing referrals to programs, researching topics and questions from callers to provide the most accurate and useful information, provide health education in a variety of modes (verbal, written, individual, group education and more), data tracking and more, this position also updates facts sheets and other health education materials for heatlhline callers, grantees and other outreach events. Also, collaborate with other public health staff when necessary to general and emergency public health information requests.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position)
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

• Under direction, confers with the Division Chief regarding efforts to develop and utilize available resources/services for healthline callers and all office-wide community outreach, including, but not limited to.
• Collects data, develops and maintains up-to-date fact sheets and other educational materials for distribution to callers and more.
• Answers Women’s Health line and advises callers of appropriate referrals.
• Works with grant programs, planning, executing and evaluating day to day operations.
• Compiles summary reports of helpline activities; evaluates the program trends, needs and capabilities based on summary statistics.
• Consults and collaborates with state, federal and private organizations for current information on topics of potential interest to callers.
• Participates in workshops and training seminars to expand present knowledge of issues pertaining to women’s health.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Master’s degree in Public Health Education or a related area or requires certification as a Certified Health Education Specialist by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
• Additionally, requires one (1) year professional experience in public health education or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the principles, theory and social aspects of health education.
• One (1)-year professional experience in public health, women’s and family health or a related field.
• One (1)-year experience communicating both verbally and in writing. 
• One (1)-year experience answering and responding to callers.
• One (1)-year experience planning, organizing and conducting a comprehensive public health education program. 
• One (1)-year experience with grant applications, fiscal and program reports. 

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to transport materials to classes, presentations, exhibit opportunities and outreach events.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requires or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.

*The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $1.8 Billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,400 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.