Community Health Educator

Community Health Educator

Community Health Educators (CHEs) support the delivery of culturally responsive, evidence-based health education, chronic disease prevention, participant engagement, outreach, and care coordination services for underserved individuals and families.

CHEs work within a team-based model and assume increasing responsibility, independence, leadership, and operational oversight as they progress through the career ladder. The career ladder is designed to support workforce development and provide opportunities for individuals entering the health professions to gain experience while developing the skills necessary for advancement within the organization.

Community Health Educators support education programs, participant engagement, outreach, documentation, and community partnerships. All levels are cross-trained, with increasing expectations for independent program delivery, leadership, mentoring, program ownership, and operational oversight.

Core Functions (All Levels)

• Deliver culturally appropriate health education and behavior change support.
• Support participant engagement, retention, and follow-up.
• Assist participants in overcoming barriers to health and self-management.
• Support education programs, workshops, and outreach activities.
• Prepare educational materials and resources.
• Participate in community outreach and recruitment efforts.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation.
• Collect participant data and outcomes.
• Support quality improvement efforts and program evaluation activities.

Community Health Educator I (Level 1)

Entry-level position focused on developing foundational skills in participant engagement, education delivery, documentation, and program operations while working under supervision.

• Assists with education program delivery and participant support activities.
• Supports participant outreach, enrollment, scheduling, and follow-up.
• Collects and documents participant information and outcomes.
• Assists with preparation of educational materials and program resources.
• Participates in outreach events and community engagement activities.
• Supports volunteers, interns, and program activities as directed.
• Completes required organizational and departmental training.
• Builds competency across all program areas.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree, bachelor's degree in progress, or coursework in Public Health, Health Education, Nutrition, Community Health, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in customer service, community outreach, education, volunteer programs, or healthcare preferred.
• Interest in chronic disease prevention and community health.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Community Health Educator II (Level 2)

Provides education services independently and assumes ownership of assigned program activities, participant cohorts, and outreach initiatives.

• Performs all Level 1 duties.
• Independently delivers education services and program activities.
• Facilitates individual and group education sessions with minimal supervision.
• Manages assigned participant cohorts and program activities.
• Coordinates participant follow-up, retention, and re-engagement efforts.
• Supports onboarding and training of volunteers, interns, and new staff.
• Provides guidance and support to Level 1 CHEs.
• Participates in quality improvement and workflow enhancement activities.
• Coordinates outreach and community engagement activities.
• Troubleshoots routine participant and operational challenges.

• Associate degree or bachelor's degree in a health-related field preferred.
• Advanced certifications encouraged (CHW, National DPP Lifestyle Coach, DTR/NDTR, etc.).
• Typically 2+ years of community health, health education, healthcare, or related experience, or demonstrated proficiency through successful performance as a Level 1 CHE.
• Successful completion of Level 2 competency checklist.

Lead Community Health Educator

Serves as a senior educator and functional leader, providing mentorship, workflow support, program coordination, and subject matter expertise while maintaining direct participant responsibilities.

The Lead CHE does not serve as a formal supervisor but supports staff development and day-to-day operations.

• Performs all Level 1 and Level 2 duties.
• Serves as a mentor and resource for CHE staff.
• Assists with onboarding, training, and coaching of staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Coordinates day-to-day program workflows and staffing coverage.
• Supports implementation of new programs and services.
• Assists with quality improvement, program evaluation, and outcome tracking.
• Supports participant retention and engagement initiatives.
• Identifies workflow barriers and recommends operational improvements.
• Serves as liaison between frontline staff and department leadership.

• Associate or bachelor's degree in a health-related field preferred.
• Advanced certifications preferred (CHW, National DPP Lifestyle Coach, DTR/NDTR, etc.).
• Typically 4+ years of progressively responsible community health, health education, or healthcare experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and program ownership.
• Successful completion of Lead CHE competency checklist.

Advancement through the Community Health Educator Career Ladder is based on demonstrated competencies, performance, leadership behaviors, successful completion of level-specific competency checklists, organizational needs, and supervisory recommendation.

Eligibility for advancement may be reviewed annually. Advancement is not guaranteed and is not based solely on length of service.

Recommended Internal Progression Framework

• Level 1: Learning role, works under supervision, focus on skill development and competency acquisition.
• Level 2: Independent contributor, owns assigned programs, classes, or participant cohorts, supports training of others.
• Lead: Functional leader, mentors staff and coordinates workflows, no formal supervisory authority.