HEALTH EDUCATOR III

DEFINITION

This is senior-level professional and consultative work for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in developing, administering, and coordinating health education and health promotion programs.

This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Plans, directs, and executes specialized health education and health promotion activities, research projects, and programs to meet identified state and national goals and objectives; develops surveillance systems and evaluation strategies to assess program impact.

Plans and conducts surveys; analyzes and disseminates data on injury, chronic and/or communicable disease problems, behavioral risk factors, and/or health attitudes and knowledge; formulates disease prevention and health promotion strategies to prevent and control major public health problems.

Provides extensive public contact which includes acting as a liaison with local health department staff, other health professionals, community organizations, gov ernment agencies, businesses, and schools.

Assists in the planning and implementation of the comprehensive statewide health promotion program or administers the health education or behavioral risk reduction component of a specialized public health program.

Provides technical assistance, training, and consultation to state and local health leaders, other health professionals, task forces, elected officials, and community organizations; serves as a resource and facilitator.

Prepares and makes presentations regarding the purpose, theory, concepts, and processes of health education and health promotion programs to policymakers, professional and civic groups.

Develops and employs various educational materials and methods in health education, health promotion, and behavioral risk reduction program activities.

Supervises and evaluates health education project funding applications, develops review criteria, and monitors project implementation for compliance with federal and state regulations.

Supervises assigned professional staff; assists in determining staff and operational needs, and selecting and training staff.

Maintains knowledge and skills in health education and health promotion research through review of professional literature, participation in conferences, and continuing education.

Exercises significant independence and initiative in the performance of responsibilities; receives general administrative direction.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Comprehensive knowledge of current principles, practices, and processes employed in the health education and health promotion component of a public health program.

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, techniques, and application of research methodology and behavioral epidemiology as related to health education and health promotion.

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, techniques, and application of research methodology and behavioral epidemiology as related to health education and health promotion.

Comprehensive knowledge of methodology necessary for developing large scale multifaceted education programs.

Comprehensive knowledge of the psychological, social, economic, and cultural determinants of behavior and methods to promote healthy lifestyles.

Comprehensive knowledge of methods and techniques of developing and presenting health education to individuals and groups.

Comprehensive knowledge of current trends and developments in public health, medical sciences, and health care.

Comprehensive knowledge of community organization principles, resources, and community health needs.

Ability to assess the effectiveness of programs in achieving educational or behavioral objectives and to recommend strategies for program replication.

Ability to plan, administer, implement, and evaluate health education and health promotion programs for various populations.

Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate the work of professional staff.

Ability to conduct research, prepare surveys and statistical reports, and analyze and evaluate complex epidemiological data.

Ability to explain complex medical information, interpret agency objectives, and present ideas effectively to civic and community groups and public officials.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, community groups, and the general public.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

(The following requirements will determine merit system eligibility, experience and education ratings, and may be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers. When practical and possible, the Division of Personnel will accept substitution of experience and education on a year-for-year basis.)

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 24 earned credit hours in Health Education or Health Promotion; and,

Four or more years of health education and/or health promotion experience, of which two or more years must have been above the entry level, in public health, community or worksite health promotion, comprehensive school health education, patient education, health education research, or teaching at the college/university level.

(24 earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified areas of Health Education, Health Promotion, or Public Health with 15 or more earned credit hours in Health Education may substitute for a maximum of one year of the required general experience.)

(Minor Revision 8/22/07)