State of Maryland

A Community Health Educator IV is the first administrative level of work planning, developing, implementing, promoting and evaluating community health education programs designed to further public awareness and understanding of the factors influencing health status and community health education activities and services.  Employees in this classification serve as liaison-consultants in health education to an agency of the Maryland Department of Health or as a director of a health education program in a large local department of health.  Employees who function as liaison-consultants in health education are responsible for coordinating and directing the development, implementation and evaluation of the educational components of an agency’s health programs.  Employees who function as directors of a health education program in large local health departments direct the community health education program within the assigned local health department; set and maintain policies and standards for local health education services; and participate in the development of the local health program.  Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Community Health Educator V, higher-level administrator or local health officer.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the classification specification.

Plans, develops, implements, promotes and evaluates community health education programs;

Prepares and submits budget estimates for the community health education program;

Determines educational needs and plans staff development initiatives;

Serves as liaison between school and community health education programs;

Develops, maintains and makes available a variety of health education services to meet the needs of program directors, school personnel, private and public organizations and the general public;

Identifies and utilizes community resources and leaders in planning and implementing health education programs;

Formulates methods and techniques to encourage collaboration among health agencies and community organizations and participates in the activities of other agencies and organizations in the fields of health, education and social service in relation to community health planning and coordination;

Responds to legislative proposals from the health education perspective;

Formulates long and short-range community health education policies and educational goals with the agency or local health department director;

Provides reports on health education activities to health officers, program directors or higher-level administrators;

May participate in the community health education aspects of research and demonstrations in the agency;

May set and maintain policies and standards for community health education services;

May participate with the health officer and program directors in developing the total public health program for the local health department;

May direct a program to recruit, train and utilize volunteers and auxiliary personnel in support of community health education activities;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the philosophy, principles, practices, objectives, programs and functions of community health education and environmental change;

Knowledge of educational theories, methods and techniques, including techniques used to influence attitudes and behavior;

Knowledge of the principles of program planning and evaluation;

Knowledge of the principles, procedures, policies and practices of organization, management and public administration applicable to health programs;

Skill in planning, developing, implementing and promoting community health education programs;

Skill in analyzing and evaluating community health education programs and recommending improvements;

Skill in making public presentations on community health issues;

Skill in organizing and conducting in-service training for staff and volunteers in community health education techniques and methods;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and staff of government agencies, members of community organizations and individuals for the purpose of planning, developing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating community health education programs and services;

Ability to prepare and submit a budget for community health education services.

Education:   A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health Education, Community Health Education or Health Science.

Experience: Two years of experience planning, developing, implementing, promoting and evaluating health education projects, including one year of experience managing community health education projects.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health Education, Community Health Education, Health Science, Public Health Policy or related behavioral science and one year of experience managing community health education projects for the required education and experience.

2. Candidates may substitute a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health Education, Community Health Education or Health Science and three years of experience planning, developing, implementing, promoting and evaluating health education projects, including one year of experience managing community health education projects for the required education and experience.

3. Candidates may substitute a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 18 credit hours in Public Health Education, Community Health Education, Health Science or related behavioral science and four years of experience planning, developing, implementing, promoting and evaluating health education projects, including one year of experience managing community health education projects for the required education and experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience at a rank of Corporal/Petty Officer or higher as a commissioned officer in Health Educator and Community Health classifications or Health Educator and Community Health specialty codes in the Public Health field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit E, Health Care Professionals classes. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.