Job Description

Community Health Worker

Requisition ID
req37110
Working Title
Community Health Worker
Position Grade
09
Position Summary

The Office for Community Health (OCH) at the University of New Mexico is establishing a standing Community Health Worker (CHW) job posting to maintain an ongoing pool of qualified candidates for current and future openings across multiple OCH programs.

Community Health Workers play a vital role in improving health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health and connecting individuals and families to essential resources. CHWs support clients experiencing complex medical, behavioral health, and social challenges using trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally responsive approaches.

Placement will depend on program needs and candidate experience and may include:

Adult Inpatient Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) Team (Hospital-Based): Fully in-person at UNM Hospital, partnering with inpatient care teams to conduct screenings, support discharge planning, provide resource navigation, and coordinate community services to ensure safe transitions of care.

Community Connections (CC): A community-focused role providing outreach, screening, and navigation services to connect individuals and families to healthcare, housing, food access, transportation, and other essential supports. After successful completion of probation, schedules may include a mix of in-office, field, and remote work.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and candidates may be contacted as positions become available within these teams.

Key Responsibilities
Conduct screenings to identify social and health-related needs
Connect clients to healthcare, housing, food, transportation, and other community resources
Provide education on health promotion and system navigation
Support discharge planning and care transitions (hospital-based roles)
Conduct home visits and community outreach (community-based roles)
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and community partners
Maintain accurate and timely documentation

See the Position Description for additional information.

Conditions of Employment

• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver's license is a requirement for this job.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Fingerprinting, and subsequent clearance, may be required for this position depending on assignment.
• May be required to obtain a Community Support Worker (CSW) certification within six months of hire.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially with diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently and remotely.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and email communication.
• Familiarity with local community resources and social service systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a compassionate approach.
• Commitment to maintaining client confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for community and home visits.
• Bilingual skills are a plus and may be preferred based on community needs.
• Previous experience in a healthcare or clinical setting.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a passion for community advocacy.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and client-centered principles.

Additional Requirements
Campus
Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM
Department
VP for Comm Health Administration (196A)
Employment Type
Staff
Staff Type
Term - Full-Time
Term End Date
06/30/2027
Status
Non-Exempt
Pay
Hourly: $19.00 - $24.77
Benefits Eligible
This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information.
ERB Statement
As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.
Background Check Required
Yes
For Best Consideration Date
7/8/2026
Eligible for Hiring Incentive
Eligible for Remote Work
No
Eligible for Remote Work Statement
Application Instructions

Only applications submitted through
the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job
advertisement on a 3rd party site, please
visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Please include a resume detailing your complete work history.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.