Title: Health Counselor
State Role Title: Counselor II
Hiring Range: $45,335-59,421.50
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: PORTSMOUTH -TW
Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/portsmouth/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Portsmouth Health Department is seeking a full-time Public Health Counselor to provide essential disease intervention services in both clinical and community settings. This position independently identifies and contacts individuals known or suspected of exposure to communicable diseases—including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and other reportable conditions—and delivers client centered counseling, education, and linkage to care. Responsibilities include conducting case investigations, providing partner services, conducting field visits, providing risk reduction counseling, and following up to verify treatment completion and behavior change progress. The counselor also collaborates with medical providers, laboratories, pharmacies, and community organizations to strengthen referral pathways and support public health initiatives.
This role responds to peak demands, participates in outbreak investigations, and supports community based prevention activities, including presentations, screenings, and outreach events. All duties performed by this position are critical functions of a local health department and directly support VDH’s mission to prevent the spread of disease and promote the health of all Virginians. The Public Health Counselor is an essential position whose work ensures timely intervention, accurate surveillance, and effective protection of the community’s health.
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.
Minimum Qualifications
• Knowledge of and/or experience in public health practices, HIV, STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis), HBV/HCV, and other communicable diseases; experience performing phlebotomy
• Effective oral and written communication, organizational and decision-making skills
• Ability to listen, understand and empathize in a culturally sensitive manner, and use motivational skills to build rapport with clients and engagement in disease intervention services; ability to work with diverse populations in diverse settings; develop and make presentations
• Ability to recognize, analyze and solve problems; perform basic mathematical calculations; conduct accurate data entry; maintain confidentiality; comply with program and data security policies and procedures; and work independently during various hours and settings (e.g., field, non-clinical and clinical, office)
• Experience working under pressure (e.g., meeting deadlines, managing competing priorities)
• Possess skill or knowledge of case management; basic computer knowledge/skills, including word processing, electronic mail and data base management
• Effective oral and written communication; organizational; and decision-making skills; bilingual skills are beneficial
Additional Considerations
• Experience working in a social service, public health, or healthcare environment
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the job closing date. Resume may be submitted in lieu of fully completed application. Please be sure all
pertinent work experience is included on your resume.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks,
and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans)organization, VDH honors the Commonwealth’s veteran’s hiring preference. VDH
employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of
our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
State agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Contact Information
Name: Tanya Weaver
Phone: 7573938585
Email: Tanya.Weaver@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
