CHW Workforce Initiatives Specialist

The Wisconsin CHW Workforce Initiatives Specialist provides CHW (community health worker) leadership and statewide field support for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) CHW Workforce Development initiative at the UW Population Health Institute. Grounded in core CHW values - trust, community partnership, and accountability to CHW leadership - this position supports the CHW workforce including CHWs hired at approximately 50 RHTP-funded organizations across Wisconsin's rural and semi-rural communities. Working closely with senior program leadership and in active partnership with the Wisconsin CHW workforce and other CHW collaboratives, the Wisconsin CHW Workforce Initiatives Specialist ensures the advancement of CHW-led priorities, policies and projects while building the infrastructure necessary to sustain and strengthen the CHW workforce across Wisconsin. This position supports and collaborates with CHW Trainers who provide training and technical assistance for rural organizations employing CHWs.

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check. See https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#become-authorized-driver (click on "Become an authorized driver;" then click on "Required criteria").

Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be given first consideration:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Community Health Worker (CHW) core roles, standards, and values, including trust-building, community accountability, cultural humility, and the importance of CHW-led practice and decision-making.
• Knowledge of statewide CHW workforce and infrastructure efforts in Wisconsin and across the US, including TTA models, multi-partner collaborations, and CHW sustainability strategies.
• Knowledge of grant-funded program operations, including federal and state contract requirements, reporting expectations, and documentation standards.
• Knowledge of rural health contexts and the unique organizational and infrastructure considerations for CHW integration in rural and underserved communities.
• Knowledge of UW or similar higher-education administrative environments, including shared governance structures, institutional policies, and cross-unit coordination.

Skills

• Skill in coordinating multi-site, community-based programs while maintaining respect for CHW roles, workloads, and community context.
• Skill in tracking deliverables, TTA plans, and timelines across multiple funding streams and partners with attention to accuracy and compliance.
• Skill in maintaining organized operational systems, including spreadsheets, trackers, shared resource repositories, and documentation required for reporting and evaluation.
• Skill in clear, respectful communication with CHWs, community-based organizations, funders, and university administrators.
• Skill in facilitating Communities of Practice, learning collaboratives, or other peer-learning spaces.

Abilities

• Ability to balance CHW movement values with institutional compliance requirements, navigating both community-centered work and formal administrative systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining high standards of accuracy and follow-through.
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and power structures, including CHWs, academic staff, government partners, and funders

• Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program

• Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers

• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members

• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials

• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program

• Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement

• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending

Supports coordination with the Wisconsin CHW workforce and statewide/regional CHW networks, including dissemination of resources, logistics for community of practice

School of Medicine and Public Health, Population Health Institute

The UW Population Health Institute (UW-PHI) works to improve the health of all people in Wisconsin and beyond by conducting research and providing technical assistance to policymakers, practitioners, and communities. The Workforce Development Pathways (WFDP) unit leads statewide Community Health Worker workforce development, including coordination of the Rural Health Transformation Program CHW initiative in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The starting salary for the position is $70,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage. SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

• Lived or professional experience as a rural Community Health Worker.
• Demonstrated experience working with Community Health Workers (CHWs), CHW employer organizations, CHW initiatives, or CHW workforce development efforts.
• Demonstrated understanding of CHW values and practice, including respect for CHW-led models.
• Demonstrated CHW leadership experience.
• Experience with Wisconsin CHW networks, or regional CHW infrastructure efforts.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively with community partners and institutional staff.
• Proficiency with common office and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, spreadsheets, shared document platforms).

• Experience coordinating statewide or regional training and technical assistance (TTA) programs, learning collaboratives, or community capacity-building initiatives.
• Experience supporting grantee or subcontractor coordination, including communication with multiple organizations across geographic regions.
• Experience working with rural, Tribal, or underserved communities and an understanding of the unique operational considerations in these contexts.
• Familiarity with the Rural Health Transformation Program, Wisconsin Department of Health Services CHW initiatives, or Medicaid CHW reimbursement policy.

Bachelor Degree preferred; focus in focus in public health, community health, social work, or a related field preferred.

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To apply for this position, select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.

Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.

* Cover letter required
* Resume

Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.

Brittany Brown, brittany.brown@wisc.edu, 608-265-2978

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

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The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying to.Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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