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Public Health

Health Educator

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

Annual openings

149

BLS median wage

$74,150

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

10-year growth

+10%

Career requirements

What does this career require?

The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Credential requirement

No certification is required, but a Certified Health Education Specialist is valued.

An example of the education provided is the prevention of the spread of communicable diseases.
The WIC Program (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) has career opportunities at entry, mid, and advanced levels.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
  2. Supervise professional and technical staff in implementing health programs, objectives, and goals.
  3. Provide program information to the public by preparing and presenting press releases, conducting media campaigns, or maintaining program-related Web sites.
  4. Develop and maintain health education libraries to provide resources for staff and community agencies.
  5. Design and conduct evaluations and diagnostic studies to assess the quality and performance of health education programs.
  6. Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.