Summary of the Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator (CHW I, II, III, IV) job at Northwest Human Services, Inc.

Northwest Human Services is a non-profit leader in providing advocacy, quality healthcare and social services in Marion and Polk counties since 1970. 

Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator (CHW I-II-II-IV)

Location: West Salem Clinic | 1233 Edgewater St NW, Salem, OR
Schedule: Full Time | Monday–Friday with rotating Saturdays and community outreach events
Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Community Outreach and Engagement Manager

Help connect people to care, resources, and a healthier future

At Northwest Human Services (NWHS), we believe better health starts with connection — connection to compassionate care, trusted people, community resources, and opportunities to thrive.

As a Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator (Community Health Worker I–IV), you will be a bridge between patients, care teams, and community partners. You’ll meet people where they are, listen to what matters to them, help identify barriers to care, and connect them with resources that can make a meaningful difference in their health and well-being.

This is a role for someone who enjoys building relationships, solving problems, engaging with the community, and helping people navigate systems that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

You’ll work alongside a multidisciplinary team to support health equity, improve access to care, address social determinants of health (SDOH), and help patients take an active role in their health.

What You'll Do

Build Trust & Engage Patients:

• Conduct outreach to established and newly assigned patients to encourage engagement with NWHS services and care teams.
• Build supportive, respectful relationships with patients and families using culturally responsive and patient-centered approaches.
• Use motivational interviewing, active listening, problem-solving, and critical thinking to understand patient needs and barriers.
• Provide education about available healthcare, social services, and community resources.

Connect People to Resources:

• Identify and address social determinants of health, including barriers related to housing, food, transportation, financial resources, healthcare access, and other social needs.
• Connect patients with internal programs and external community organizations based on their individual needs and eligibility.
• Help patients understand available resources, eligibility requirements, potential wait times, and next steps.

Support Care Coordinators:

• Collaborate with providers and multidisciplinary care teams to support patient-centered care plans.
• Participate in case management and care coordination discussions, particularly for patients experiencing complex barriers to care.
• Help identify patients who may benefit from additional outreach or support, including patients with limited engagement, gaps in care, or high healthcare utilization.

Community Involvement:

• Help plan, coordinate, and participate in community outreach activities, health fairs, educational workshops, health campaigns, and other engagement events.
• Build relationships with community partners by attending meetings, events, and networking opportunities.
• Share community resource information and best practices with colleagues to strengthen consistent and equitable services.

What Makes You Successful

✅ A Relationship Builder → You create trust through empathy, respect, consistency, and genuine connection.

✅ A Resource Navigator → You enjoy finding answers, learning about community resources, and helping people overcome barriers.

✅ A Creative Problem-Solver → When the obvious solution doesn’t work, you’re willing to think differently and explore other possibilities.

✅ A Strong Communicator → You can communicate clearly with patients, families, providers, coworkers, and community partners — both in person and by phone or computer.

✅ Culturally Responsive → You respect different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ways of communicating and understand that every person’s path to health is different.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience in a human service-related or healthcare environment through employment, volunteer experience, or lived experience; OR
• Associate or bachelor's degree in public health, behavioral science, social services, or a related field.
  
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification consistent with AHA CPR/ECC guidelines.
• Valid Oregon driver's license and driving record that allows coverage under the agency's corporate auto liability policy.

Preferred Qualification:

• Community Health Worker training or certification preferred. Non-certified candidates must enroll in and successfully complete a CHW certification course following the initial 90-day employment period, subject to supervisor direction.
• Food Handler's Card within one month of hire and maintained as current.
• Experience working with medical care teams, social service agencies, or healthcare systems preferred.
  
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: Our Agency strives to provide a benefits program that is comprehensive and competitive within our industry.

• Healthcare insurance plans: Medical, Dental, Vision

• Group Life: Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 100% paid by employer
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% of employer contribution and up to 3% employer match
• Flex Spending Account
• PTO - 10 hours a month for FT positions 40 hrs./wk. up to 20 hours monthly as your tenure grows
• 7 ½  Paid Holidays a year + 2 paid floating holidays for full-time positions
• Continuing Education & Training Benefits
• Employee Healthy Living Program – Gym Membership & Smoking Cessation

Why NWHS?

Northwest Human Services is committed to providing services that promote health, dignity, connection, and access to the communities we serve.

If you’re someone who believes in meeting people where they are, building community partnerships, and helping turn barriers into possibilities, we’d love to hear from you.

TO APPLY:

To join our team please visit our website Employment (northwesthumanservices.org)

For more information, contact the HR/Recruiting Department at: HR@nwhumanservices.org | 503.588.5828

All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to undergo a criminal records check.

Equal Opportunity Employer | We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Community | Compassion | Commitment | Integrity

Working together to empower individuals to improve their health, well-being, and safety