Community Health Worker

Summary/Objective:

The Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health role that builds trusted relationships within the community to connect individuals to behavioral health, medical, and social services. Based in Watertown with regular travel to support Ogdensburg, the CHW serves as a liaison between Citizen Advocates and the community, facilitating access to services, reducing barriers to care, and improving the cultural competence of service delivery. This position is funded through a Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) grant expanding Community Health Worker capacity across the North Country.

Essential Functions (Job Duties):

1. Build trust and rapport with individuals and families across the communities served.
2. Prioritize community connectedness as a core asset of the role.
3. Link individuals to needed health care information, behavioral health services, and community resources.
4. Help individuals access community services specific to their needs.
5. Build individual and community capacity through outreach, education, informal support, and advocacy.
6. Support clinical and program staff by developing outreach activities that promote and improve community health.
7. Assist individuals with referrals, follow-ups, and applications for services.
8. Facilitate communication between individuals and health care, government, and social service systems.
9. Serve as a bridge between the community and health care, government, and social service systems.
10. Deliver health information using culturally and linguistically appropriate terms and concepts.
11. Advocate for local health needs across the service area, including both the Watertown and Ogdensburg communities.
12. Travel regularly between Watertown and Ogdensburg to maintain consistent presence in both communities.
13. Coordinate transportation for individuals as needed and assist with eligibility determination for services.
14. Help individuals, families, and groups build capacity and access resources, including health insurance, food, housing, and health information.
15. Support healthier behaviors and lifestyle choices through education and encouragement.
16. Support SMART goal-setting with individuals served.
17. Help health care and social service systems become more culturally responsive to the population served.
18. Help individuals understand their health conditions and develop strategies to improve health and well-being.
19. Conduct home visits for chronically ill, high-risk, or elderly individuals as appropriate.
20. Report to supervisor for all emergencies and other concerns and work toward a resolution.
21. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of individuals served and the department.
22. Adhere to agency policies, procedures, and SOPs.
23. Maintain all required documentation in a timely manner.
24. Devise a plan for coverage during planned or unexpected absences.
25. Work outside regular hours when necessary to meet community needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A

Competencies:


Competency Level:


Frontline

Competency

Proficient Level

Communication

Competent

Conflict Resolution

Competent

Ethics

Competent

Time Management

Competent

Community Engagement & Cultural Competency

Advanced

Confidentiality

Advanced, Up to date on HIPAA requirements

Physical Demands:

Lifting Requirements:

Sedentary


Lift up to 10 lbs. maximum and occasionally lift and/or carry small items (files, manuals, binders)


x


Light


Lift up to 20 lbs. maximum with frequent lift and/or carry objects up to 10 pounds

Medium


Lift up to 50 lbs. maximum with frequent lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

Heavy


Lift 100 lbs. maximum with frequent lift and/or carry objects up to 50 lbs.

Very Heavy


Lift objects more than 100 lbs. with frequent lift and/or carry objects weighing 50 lbs. or more

Physical Demands:


Task


0 - 1/3


Frequent


Constant

Task


0 - 1/3


Frequent


Constant


Bending

x

Seeing

x


Keying


x

Speaking

x


Hearing

x

Sitting

x

Reaching

X

Standing

x


Carrying

X

Walking

x


Pulling

X

Pushing

x


Definitions:


0 - 1/3 of the time:


Activity is needed to perform the essential functions of the job 0-1/3 of the time.


Frequent:


Activity is a customary part of the essential functions of the job 1/3 - 2/3 of the time.


Constant:


Activity is continually occurring and required to perform the essential functions of the job 2/3 of the time or more.

Required Education and Experience:

Associate's degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of skills, education, and experience.

1. Lived experience or deep roots in the Watertown/Ogdensburg communities strongly preferred.
2. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required, given regular travel between Watertown and Ogdensburg.
3. Work with behavioral health, substance use, or underserved populations preferred.
4. Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply [confirm if relevant to service population].

Travel

Primarily community-based. Will travel regularly between Watertown and Ogdensburg, and within the surrounding community, to provide direct services and represent Citizen Advocates at community events.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a Full-Time position: 40-hours per week.

Workweek Schedule: Schedule determined by supervisor to meet location/departmental needs.

Hours and schedules may vary depending on Company needs and workload. Employees will be given as much notice as possible when such changes occur.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employees are required to maintain training, licenses, and certifications per regulatory and agency requirements.

Hours and schedules may vary depending on Company need and workload. Employees will be given as much advance notice as possible when such changes occur.

Employment at Citizen Advocates is "at will". You are free to resign at any time and for any reason sufficient to you, just as Citizen Advocates is free to terminate your employment at any time and for any reason. We do not guarantee continued or permanent employment.