Position Title: Community Health Advocate I (Black Infant Health)  

Department: Healthy Communities 

Reports to: Program Manager, Black Infant Health 

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt 

Compensation: $25.00 - $27.00/hourly 

Background: 

Fifty years ago, four Black American mothers, aided by 25 volunteer Black physicians, launched Baywell Health, formally known as West Oakland Health amid the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. It immediately became an anchor for the Black communities in West Oakland, East Oakland, and Berkeley for healthcare, health education, food and housing programs, and voter registration. The clinic became a spark that transformed healthcare advocacy in California and the nation. 

Baywell Health’s purpose is to be the trusted hub advancing the Bay Area Black community’s health and dignity. We work to do this by providing high-quality, comprehensive adult and family medicine, pediatric health care, dental care, optometry, podiatry, behavioral health services, and pharmacies at two locations while also being a space where medical care is our central but not the sole aim. We aim to be a place where community members also receive assistance on things that will make our community socially, economically, emotionally, and physically healthy. 

Job Summary: 

Under the general supervision of the Black Infant Health Program Manager, the Community Health Advocate I is responsible for conducting outreach that identifies individuals who are eligible for the program, engages with the community, provides education and resources, and collects data to inform program activities.  

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Develops, maintains, and leads a recruitment plan for the Black Infant Health (BIH) program at multiple locations.  

• Establishes and maintains a database of community agencies to facilitate referrals.  

• Builds relationships with medical and community service providers to increase referrals to the BIH program.  

• Conducts outreach activities, such as in-service training events and BIH orientations for partner organizations.  

• Creates partnership agreements to formalize referral processes.  

• Connects Black birthing and parenting individuals to Calfornia’s Enhanced Care Management Program to ensure comprehensive care.  

• Assists individuals in accessing ongoing medical care and service support. 

• Serves as part of an integrated healthcare team, coordinating health services, referrals, and follow-up care.  

• Enters BIH case management and program data into the State data system (MCAH-BIH-Efforts to Outcome/ETO) accurately and on time.  

• Maintains participant and program data, ensuring it is clean and complete for reporting and quality improvement purposes.  

• Uses Epic electronic health records for patient registry updates and data management.  

• Summarizes data for standardized reports and adheres to HIPAA regulations.  

• Provides health and wellness coaching, counseling patients on healthy behaviors.  

• Conducts outdoor outreach to promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors among targets populations.  

• Develops social media content and collaborates with the BIH Media Team to recruit participants and staff for media features.  

• Updates marketing materials and promotes BIH websites, social media pages, and apps at provider offices and outreach locations.  

• Attends interagency and community meetings to advocate for BIH program goals.  

• Participates in CDPH/MCAH-sponsored BIH Basic and Advanced Trainings. 

• Creates a Professional Development Plan in collaboration with the BIH coordinator.  

• Engages in skill-building through HRSA MCH Bureau Leadership Competencies training.  

• Provides backup support for other CHAs and team members. 

• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

• May be assigned cross departmental responsibilities. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Knowledge of African American culture, history, and health disparities. 

• Knowledge of community organizations and resources serving African American populations.  

• Ability to operate in a culturally affirming, client-centered, strength-based, and cognitive skill-building manner.  

• Solid foundation in public health concepts, including health equity, social determinants of health, and health education.  

• Ability to build trust and motivate Black individuals during childbirth and parenting.  

• Effective in promoting health equity through advocacy, outreach, and motivational training.  

• Strong administrative skills (appointment scheduling, documentation, report writing, organizational skills). 

• Basic computer proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Word, Epic, Tableau, and other reporting tools.  

• Experience managing and tracking health data. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  

• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. 

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines. 

• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment. 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license. 

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Nursing, Education, or a related field.  

• Experience and understanding of African American culture and history.  

• General Knowledge of family systems, community trauma, and advocacy or organizing.  

• 1-3 years of experience in community-based organizations.  

• Certification as a Community Health Worker (CHW) and Enrollment Counselor (training provided). 

• Doula certification (preferred). 

• Professional development in sexual/reproductive health, family planning, and lay counseling. 

Mental and Physical Requirements:  

• The pace of Work: High stress, very rapid, and demanding 

• Concentration: Constant 

• Standing and Walking Time Required: At least 20% of the time 

• Sitting and typing: 60% - 70% 

• Environmental and Health Hazards: Frequent exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions common to a clinic environment. 

• The employee must frequently use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone keyboard and talk or hear. 

• The employee must occasionally bend, lift and move up to 25 pounds. 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 

• May be required to work in an environment with high noise levels and unpredictable temperature and ventilation.  

The above information on this position has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work to be performed by employees designated for this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or physical requirements. 

About Our Benefits: 

At Baywell Health, we offer a comprehensive benefits package starting on your first day. Our benefits are designed to support both you and your family with a range of options that include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage. 

Baywell Health covers 100% of the employee portion for medical, dental, and vision plans, and we also provide full coverage for dependent dental and vision care. For health benefits, we cover a significant portion of dependent costs. 

Additional benefits include: 

• Annual education reimbursement 

• Employee-funded 403b plan, along with an employer-funded 401a plan 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal support 

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and company-paid holidays