Community Health Worker

Description

The Community Health Worker (CHW) for Project POWER supports individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by HIV through culturally responsive outreach, health education, linkage to services, and ongoing participant engagement. This role works directly with community members to promote HIV prevention strategies, increase access to care, reduce stigma, and support overall health and wellness.

Through Project POWER, the Community Health Worker engages priority populations, including individuals at higher risk for HIV and those experiencing barriers to care. The role builds trusted relationships, provides accurate and accessible health information, and connects participants to resources such as HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, harm reduction services, sexual health resources, and supportive care. The Community Health Worker also supports community-driven programming that promotes empowerment, strengthens prevention pathways, and advances long-term wellness.

Essential Job Functions

The Community Health Worker will be responsible for the following duties:

Community Outreach & Participant Engagement

• Conduct community outreach in targeted neighborhoods, community spaces, partner organizations, health fairs, and other community-based settings.
• Recruit participants for Project Power programming, workshops, health education activities, and community engagement opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with community members to increase awareness of HIV prevention, sexual health, harm reduction, and available services.
• Maintain ongoing participant engagement through follow-up communication, check-ins, and supportive outreach.
• Distribute prevention materials, safer sex supplies, and health education resources.
• Represent GMHC and Project POWER at community events, health fairs, partner meetings, and other outreach activities.

Health Education & Prevention Services

• Provide one-on-one and small group education on HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP, PEP, condoms, and other prevention tools.
• Provide education on sexual health, STI prevention, harm reduction strategies, healthcare navigation, and supportive services.
• Facilitate workshops, support groups, and community conversations related to sexual health, wellness, HIV prevention, and stigma reduction.
• Promote health literacy by sharing information in a clear, respectful, and culturally responsive manner.
• Support participant empowerment by helping individuals identify prevention options and care resources that align with their needs.

Linkage, Referral, & Navigation Support

• Assist participants with accessing HIV testing, PrEP navigation, prevention services, and other health-related resources.
• Provide referrals and warm handoffs to internal GMHC programs and external community providers.
• Support participants in addressing barriers to care, including stigma, transportation challenges, healthcare navigation, and difficulty accessing supportive services.
• Collaborate with community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and internal teams to strengthen referral networks and improve participant access to services.

Documentation, Data Entry, & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and timely records of outreach activities, participant interactions, referrals, follow-up efforts, and program outcomes.
• Enter required data into program databases in accordance with funder, contract, and organizational requirements.
• Support reporting, quality assurance, and program evaluation activities as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive participant information with professionalism and care.
• Follow applicable documentation standards, privacy requirements, and GMHC policies.

Program & Team Support

• Participate in team meetings, supervision, trainings, and program planning activities.
• Collaborate with Project POWER staff and other GMHC teams to support coordinated services and community engagement.
• Assist with special projects, outreach initiatives, and program-related activities as directed by the supervisor.
• Support other program responsibilities that advance Project POWER goals and GMHC’s mission.

Requirements

Special Skills and Knowledge

Required:

• Minimum of two (2) years of related experience, or equivalent experience, in community outreach, peer education, health navigation, HIV prevention, public health, human services, or community-based services.
• Knowledge of HIV prevention, sexual health, and harm reduction strategies, or ability to complete related training.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to communicate health information clearly, respectfully, and effectively to diverse communities.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the highest degree of professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, outcomes-oriented community setting.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, follow up consistently, and meet documentation deadlines.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings or weekends, based on community outreach and program needs.

Preferred:

• Bilingual English and Spanish.
• Familiarity with PrEP navigation, HIV testing services, STI prevention, and harm reduction resources.
• Experience facilitating workshops, support groups, or community conversations.
• Strong connection to or lived experience within communities served by Project POWER.
• Experience working with individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by HIV, stigma, poverty, housing instability, or barriers to healthcare.
• Experience with funder-required documentation, program reporting, or community outreach data tracking.

Education and Certification

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent, with relevant experience in community outreach, health education, human services, public health, or a related field.

Preferred:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in public health, human services, social science, business administration, or a related discipline.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Community Health Worker certification, HIV testing certification, PrEP navigation training, or harm reduction training, if applicable to program needs

Technical Skills

The ideal candidate should have the following technical competencies to effectively manage case documentation, reporting, and client services:

Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including:

• Data tracking and analysis for case management and program reporting.
• Creating and managing spreadsheets to monitor client progress and deliverables.
• Using formulas, pivot tables, and data validation to ensure accuracy in documentation.

Basic Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including:

• Outlook (email communication, scheduling, and coordination with service providers).
• Word (creating case notes, service plans, and official correspondence).
• PowerPoint (preparing presentations for internal and external stakeholders).

Experience with electronic case management and data tracking systems, such as:

• eCOMPAS, AWARDS, or similar platforms for documentation and compliance reporting.
• Data entry and management to ensure contract deliverables are accurately recorded.

Strong documentation and compliance skills, ensuring:

• Accurate case notes and service plans in adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and other legal protections and GMHC policies.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position requires a combination of community-based, in-office, and remote work based on program and operational needs.

• Community-based fieldwork includes outreach events, health fairs, partner meetings, community engagement activities, and other off-site program activities.
• In-office work includes team meetings, supervision, documentation, planning, reporting, and coordination with internal teams.
• Remote work may be available as determined by the supervisor based on program, participant, and operational needs.
• The schedule may require occasional evening or weekend availability to support community events and outreach activities.
• Participation in the annual AIDS Walk New York event is mandatory for all GMHC staff.

Physical Demands

While carrying out the responsibilities of this role:

• Travel & Mobility: Ability to travel to community sites, partner organizations, outreach locations, events, and GMHC offices as needed. Ability to navigate community-based settings, including public transportation, sidewalks, event spaces, and partner locations.
• Physical Activity: Ability to participate in community outreach activities, health fairs, workshops, and events. Ability to occasionally transport, carry, set up, and distribute light outreach materials, prevention supplies, and health education resources. Ability to bend, reach, lift, and handle light program supplies as needed.
• Sitting, Standing, & Movement: Ability to sit for extended periods while completing documentation, data entry, reports, email communication, and virtual meetings. Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout office, community, and event settings as needed, including during outreach events and community engagement activities.
• Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with participants, colleagues, community partners, healthcare providers, and external stakeholders. Ability to facilitate conversations, workshops, and small group discussions while listening actively and responding with professionalism, cultural humility, and respect.
• Documentation & Computer Use: Ability to use a computer, keyboard, phone, and other office equipment for extended periods. This requires focus and the manual dexterity to write or type for prolonged periods. Ability to complete accurate participant documentation, outreach records, reports, and data entry, and maintain organized records.