Health Educator - Far Rockaway, Queens

At the AIDS Center of Queens County (ACQC), our mission is to prevent HIV, STIs, and other chronic illnesses, and promote health and wellness in the communities we serve. This is accomplished by providing health education and intervention services using a harm reduction approach and evidence-based practices in a friendly, respectful, and culturally sensitive environment.

ACQC is seeking a Health Educator to work in the CAPP program which stands for Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and this individual will work with adolescents and youth who are at risk for pregnancy, HIV and STIs. The goal of this program is to engage with the youth while providing comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education and risk reduction and connect to health care services.

Responsibilities

• Successfully complete orientation and necessary training, including mandatory online implementation training.
• Provide services tailored to the target population, ensuring sensitivity and cultural relevance.
• Engage in outreach efforts within designated venues and neighborhoods to connect with the target population.
• Offer individual health education and risk reduction counseling to program clients.
• Assist and/or refer youth to access comprehensive family planning services, health services, or other essential support services as needed.
• Facilitate Be Proud! Be Responsible! Groups to support clients in planning, achieving, and sustaining behavior change.
• Develop and execute social media campaigns to raise awareness of the program and attract participants to program interventions and activities.
• Lead the delivery of HIV/STI/HCV testing services.
• Conduct presentations and lectures in community group settings, aiming to increase awareness, garner support for safe behaviors, aid personal risk-reduction efforts, and provide information about available programs and services.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client/peer chart records.
• Provide weekly program progress reports and submit a monthly narrative detailing program activity.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Youth Program Coordinator and Prevention and Education Director.

Qualifications Required

• A bachelor's degree in health education or related health field, with a minimum of one year experience in a health-related field or prevention program.
• Must be energetic, responsible, and flexible, willing to work some evenings and weekends.
• Proficient in various social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Zoom.
• Possess creative skills to devise innovative strategies for engaging the target audience through social media.
• Capable of leading discussions and conducting classes on reproductive health topics, including reproductive anatomy, contraceptive methods, STIs, and HIV/AIDS, especially with youth in diverse settings.
• Familiarity with teen pregnancy and family planning.
• Fluent in one or more targeted community languages (Spanish preferred, but not mandatory).
• Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and gender orientation differences.
• Proven experience working with youth, displaying inclusivity and non-stigmatizing approach.
• Familiarity with the priority population to be served and the local community.

The Health Education Specialist position is a full-time, non-exempt position, based in Far Rockaway, Queens, near the A train and LIRR. The ideal candidate for the Health Educator position will be a hard working team player who is passionate about working with youth and providing health education. ACQC offers rewarding work in a collegial environment and comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, pension, paid time off, and commuter benefits).

ACQC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Please forward cover letter and resume to the attention of the Youth Program Coordinator.