Community Health Specialist - Bilingual - Childhood Lead Prevention - Health & Social Services

Salary: $41,078.00 - $51,347.00 Annually
Location : HAMILTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT, Chattanooga, TN
Job Type: FULL TIME
Job Number: 06/08/2026 - 1616
Division: HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES DIVISION
Department: Childhood Lead Prevention Program
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 6/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Description
THIS IS A BILINGUAL POSITION. ONLY APPLICANTS WHO ARE PROFICIENT IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. A TEST WILL BE REQUIRED.
Under general supervision, provides support, care coordination, referrals, medical case management, grant reporting, and education to the community at large to assist with the prevention and eradication of children with elevated blood lead levels or at risk of elevated blood lead levels.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, physical requirements, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.

Tasks
Works closely with public health educators, care coordinators, Nurses, case managers, and home visitors to provide support and education in eradicating and preventing childhood lead poisoning. Coordinates and conducts education and lead poisoning prevention sessions in regard to nutrition, pre-natal care, early childhood development, and overall child development. Conducts outreach and assists with coordinating outreach within the community. Builds partnerships with pediatricians, ob/gyns, daycares, schools, recreation centers, clinics, and local libraries to provide resources to providers and the community. Follows up with the medical case management client caseload of children that have an elevated blood lead level. Provides health and prevention education to the community at large.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics
Knowledge of federal, state, county laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines related to public health prevention and/or intervention programs.

Knowledge of public health policies, practices, and procedures.

Knowledge of local community and agency resources.


Knowledge of program management and administration.

Knowledge of computer hardware, software, and peripherals (Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher).

Knowledge of program evaluation methods and practices.

Knowledge of customer service/public relations practices.

Knowledge of electronic health care record usage

Skill developing and implementing program long and short-term, plans, goals, and objectives.

Skill utilizing verbal and written communication in developing and presenting reports, responses, presentations, and training.

Skill recruiting, assessing, motivating, supporting, and referring program participants.

Skill developing and implementing new programs based on community needs assessments.

Skill prioritizing, assigning, and reviewing and evaluating subcontract vendors.

Skill providing outreach, patient investigation and counseling.

Skill establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Skill effectively communicating in both oral and written form.

Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Human Services, Health Education, Community Health, or a closely health-related field. A valid driver's license is required.
OR
An Associate's Degree in Public Health, Human Services, Health Education, Community Health, or closely health-related field and two (2) years of direct work experience in Public Health or a closely health-related field. A valid driver's license is required.
OR
The equivalent of a high school diploma and four (4) years of direct work experience in Public Health or a closely health-related field. A valid driver's license is required.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Responsibilities include working outside normal business hours when conducting presentations and health education activities. Work requires community outreach and public speaking that involves going into environments that may have unpredictable situations. Work requires extensive home visiting.
Prior to operating a County-owned vehicle, all employees are required to complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) provided at the department level.
This position is deemed essential/situational during inclement weather situations and must report to or remain at work, even when administrative closings are announced, as determined by the Department Head.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
A Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Health Education, Community Health, Social Work, Sociology, or other health field is preferred.
Direct work experience developing goals and objectives, working with community-based programs, home visitation, care coordination, case management, staffing board committees, writing state reports, and tracking efforts is also preferred.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :
Work requires a minimum to moderate amount of physical effort with intermittent typing, sitting, standing, walking, and driving. Work also requires transporting and setting up presentation and display exhibits with materials and supplies weighing up to 35 pounds- depending on the health education activity, with possible exposure to infectious diseases, body fluids, cleaning, and disinfecting supplies. Work also requires home visitations and some weekend and after hours work due to the outreach component.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all 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.
Any overtime hours offered in this position are not guaranteed, are an estimate, and are subject to change.
All positions within Hamilton County Government are considered work in-person and require regular and punctual attendance.
All positions within Hamilton County Government may require work on Holidays or weekends. Additionally, irregular hours and shift work may be required, including possible extension of shift hours, at times with short notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Hamilton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. A copy of Hamilton County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) & Utilization Report is available on the County's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office home page.




Hamilton County Government

Meeting the needs of the people where they live, work, and play!
Hamilton County, Tennessee offers a lower cost of living, ease of getting around, a lively arts tradition, and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Working for Hamilton County Government provides many great benefits - take a look at a few of those highlighted below...
On-Site Employee Health Clinic

• No copay to utilize clinic services.
• Clinic services include routine office visits, sick visits, labs, flu shots, and more
• TextCare - Access to care 24/7 via TextCare, which is direct, unlimited access to medical care 24/7 through text message.

(Employee access to the clinic is available from day one. A covered spouse or dependent has access as soon as their health plan coverage is effective. Children age 3 and up who are covered by the County's insurance are eligible to be seen.)

• Telehealth - Two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and a practitioner through telecommunications, which may include audiovisual options.
• One to One Provider Network - Availability to utilize a network of providers that provide a high level of care at a lower copay/cost.
• Health Management Programs - Offered to help employees and their family members in managing the following health conditions: Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), and Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol)
• Nutritional guidance - Nutritional education provided to assist in making the appropriate food /health choices.

On-Site Employee Pharmacy

• Low-cost prescriptions available to those covered under the County health plan.
• Over the counter items offered at cost.
• RxLocal App - Mobile app provides a convenient way to stay connected and manage your health. Through the app you can request refills and ask questions.
• On-site Pharmacist available to answer questions and provide information.

Hamilton County Government offers competitive insurance coverage to fulltime employees.
Medical coverage is offered through Cigna to fulltime employees. The County pays a generous portion of the medical premium. Two options are available to choose from: LCP (Local Cost Plus) and OAP (Open Access Plus).

• The LCP has a smaller network that includes most providers and hospitals, with the exception of Parkridge facilities/providers.
• The OAP is a national network of facilities/providers that includes most providers/hospitals, including Parkridge.

Dental coverage is a voluntary benefit available to fulltime employees. Three coverage options are offered: Cigna High Plan, Cigna Low Plan, and Sun Life DHMO.

• The Cigna High Dental Plan covers orthodontia for children up to age 18. A national network of dental providers is available to choose from and this plan offers out of network coverage.
• The Cigna Low Dental Plan does not cover orthodontia. A national network of dental providers is available to choose from and this plan offers out of network coverage.
• The Sun Life DHMO plan is a prepaid dental plan that offers benefits through a network of plan dentists. A dental provider must be selected when enrolling and services must be provided by that provider for benefits to apply.

Life Insurance/Accidental Death and Dismemberment is provided through Symetra. The County provides $30,000 of Basic Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage at no cost to fulltime employees.


Additional voluntary benefits fulltime employees have access to enroll in are as follows:

-Individual Short-Term Disability (STD) -Voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD)

-Flexible Spending Account-Health Care -Flexible Spending Account-Dept. Care

-Flexible Spending Account-Transportation -Accident Insurance

-Critical Illness Insurance -Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Hamilton County Government Retirement for Fulltime Employees:

Pension - Legacy Plan (hired prior to 10/1/2015), in which the employer contributes 14.70%.


Pension - Hybrid Plan (hired on or after 10/1/2015), in which the employee contributes 5% and the employer contributes 4%.


401K - Employer contributes 5% and the employee can contribute the amount of their choice.


457b - Employees have the option to contribute to this plan if they choose.
Pre-Retirement Seminar:

Hamilton County Human Resources provides a pre-retirement seminar to those considering retirement, two times per year (1st and 3rd quarter of each year). Seminar topics covered may include:

• Health insurance assistance, Medicare info and counseling.
• Internal steps to take when an employee is ready to retire.
• Estate Planning
• Personal Financial Planning
• TCRS (Tennessee Consolidated Revenue Service) - Ham. County Pension
• Deferred Compensation/457 Plan - Nationwide
• Social Security Benefits

Parental Leave:

Hamilton County provides eight (8) weeks of paid maternity leave and two (2) weeks of paid paternity leave following the birth of a child or placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption (age 13 or younger) or foster care.
Paid Time Off :

Hamilton County Government provides generous paid time off (PTO) to fulltime employees from the start of employment.

• Years 1 - 5: an employee will accrue 5.85 hours of leave, per pay period.
• Years 5 - 10: an employee will accrue 6.77 hours of leave, per pay period.
• Years 11-15: an employee will accrue 8.31hours of leave, per pay period.
• Year 15 and each year thereafter, an employee will accrue 8.93 hours of leave, per pay period.

At each anniversary, an employee can roll over up to 80 hours of unused PTO into their leave bank. (Up to 800 hours for employees hired on or after 1/1/2013).
Paid Holidays:

Hamilton County Government provides thirteen (13) paid holidays to fulltime employees.

New Year's Day Independence Day


M.L. King's Birthday Labor Day

President's Day Veteran's Day

Good Friday Thanksgiving (2 days)

Memorial Day Christmas (2 days)

Juneteenth
Wellness Facility:

Hamilton County Government provides a 24/7 fitness center, free of charge, to County employees and family members (age 14+) covered under the County's health plan. The fitness center offers cardio and strength-training equipment, along with group exercise classes throughout the year. (which may include Zumba, spin, yoga, etc.)
01


This is a bilingual position. To be considered for this position, applicants must be able to read, write, and speak fluently in both English and Spanish. **A TEST WILL BE REQUIRED**Are you able to read, write, and speak fluently in both English and Spanish?

• Yes
• No

02


To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, applicants must meet all of the criteria listed in qualification A, qualification B, or qualification C.Qualification A-A Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Human Services, Health Education, Community Health, or a closely health-related field. A valid driver's license is required. ORQualification B-An Associate's Degree in Public Health, Human Services, Health Education, Community Health, or closely health-related field and two (2) years of direct work experience in Public Health or a closely health-related field. A valid driver's license is required. ORQualification C-The equivalent of a high school diploma and four (4) years of direct work experience in Public Health or a closely health-related field. A valid driver's license is required. Do you meet qualification A, qualification B, or qualification C?

• Yes, I meet qualification A.
• Yes, I meet qualification B.
• Yes, I meet qualification C.
• I meet some of qualification A.
• I meet some of qualification B.
• I meet some of qualification C.
• No, I do not meet qualification A, qualification B, or qualification C.

03


What is your highest level of education completed?

• I do not have a GED or High School Diploma.
• GED
• High School Diploma
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

04


If you indicated you possess a degree, please tell us the field of study your degree is in.
05


How many years of direct work experience do you have in Public Health or a closely health-related field?

• No experience
• Minimal, less than one year.
• 1-2 years
• 2-3 years
• 3-4 years
• 4-5 years
• 5-6 years
• 6-7 years
• 7-8 years
• 8-9 years
• 9-10 years
• 10 years or more

06


How would you describe your skill level using Microsoft Word?

• No experience - I am unfamiliar with Microsoft Word.
• Basic- I occasionally use Microsoft Word at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Average - I use Microsoft Word at least once a week at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Advanced - I use Microsoft Word daily at my current (or at a previous) job.

07


How would you describe your skill level using Microsoft Outlook?

• No experience - I am unfamiliar with Microsoft Outlook.
• Basic- I occasionally use Microsoft Outlook at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Average - I use Microsoft Outlook at least once a week at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Advanced - I use Microsoft Outlook daily at my current (or at a previous) job.

08


How would you describe your skill level using Microsoft Excel?

• No experience - I am unfamiliar with Microsoft Excel.
• Basic- I occasionally use Microsoft Excel at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Average - I use Microsoft Excel at least once a week at my current (or at a previous) job.
• Advanced - I use Microsoft Excel daily at my current (or at a previous) job.

09


Do you have direct work experience that required you to understand electronic health care record usage?

• Yes
• No

10


Do you have direct work experience that required you to provide outreach, patient investigation, and counseling?

• Yes
• No

11


A Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Health Education, Community Health, Social Work, Sociology, or other health field is preferred but not required.Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Health Education, Community Health, Social Work, Sociology, or other health field?

• Yes, I possess a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Health Education, Community Health, Social Work, Sociology, or other health field.
• No, I do not possess a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Health Education, Community Health, Social Work, Sociology, or other health field.

12


Direct work experience developing goals and objectives, working with community-based programs, home visitation, care coordination, case management, staffing board committees, writing state reports, and tracking efforts is preferred but not required.Do you have direct work experience that required you to develop goals and objectives, work with community-based programs, home visitation, care coordination, case management, staffing board committees, write state reports, and track efforts?

• Yes
• No

13


Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

14


Have you ever served in the United States Armed Forces?

• Yes
• No

15


The answers you provide in the "Supplemental Question" portion of the application will be used to review/process your application. Once this job posting closes, your answers to the supplemental questions cannot be changed. Have you reviewed your answers and verified they are correct?

• Yes
• No

Required Question