Rural CHW Program Coach

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Job Category:

Employment Type:

Job Profile:

Job Summary:

The Rural Community Health Worker (CHW) Program Coach is a CHW role responsible for providing web-based and in-person training throughout rural Wisconsin, technical assistance, and coaching to rural organizations employing CHWs under the Wisconsin Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This position works with grantee organizations to strengthen CHW program start-up, implementation, and sustainability — tailoring support to their unique context and needs. Drawing on their own experience as a CHW, the Rural CHW Program Coach anticipates the practical challenges CHWs and organizations face, proactively problem-solves, and provides support that strengthens capacity and effectiveness. This grounded perspective shapes every aspect of the role and builds on the relational nature of CHW work. The role works closely with UW-PHI RHTP CHW Initiative leadership, CHW leaders, healthcare and community-based organizations to ensure that technical assistance, training resources, and learning experiences reflect CHW values, rural community realities, and workforce development goals. In addition, this position builds trust-based relationships across Wisconsin’s rural public health landscape, supports peer learning among grantee organizations, and contributes to a sustainable statewide CHW workforce by strengthening organizational capacity and advancing CHW integration.

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”). 

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work. 

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

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Community Health Worker core roles, standards, and values — including trust-building, community accountability, cultural humility, and CHW-led practice
• Knowledge of CHW workforce training and technical assistance (TTA) models,
• Knowledge of CHW sustainability strategies
• Knowledge of rural health contexts and the unique organizational considerations for CHW integration in rural and underserved communities
• Knowledge of popular education and adult learning principles

Skills

• Skill in facilitating communities of practice, learning collaboratives, or peer-learning spaces
• Skill in delivering training and technical assistance offerings across multiple community-based sites while respecting CHW roles, workloads, and community context
• Skill in coaching, providing feedback and supporting quality improvement
• Skill in tracking and reporting on community needs and TTA activities
• Skill in communicating clearly and respectfully with CHWs, community-based organizations, funders, and institutional partners
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and communicate across diverse partners

Abilities

• Ability to balance CHW movement values with institutional requirements, navigating both community-centered work and formal administrative systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines and maintaining quality and follow-through
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and power structures — including with CHWs, healthcare and community based organizations, government partners, and funders
• Based on own CHW experience, ability to anticipate CHW training and technical assistance needs and proactively problem-solve to reduce burden on CHWs and partners

Key Job Responsibilities:

• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending

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

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

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

Reviews and adapts coaching resources, tools, and TTA materials that reflect CHW values, rural community realities, and workforce development goals

• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members

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

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

Department:

School of Medicine and Public Health, UW Population Health Institute

The UW Population Health Institute (UWPHI) 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 Public Health Workforce Development Pathways (WFDP) unit leads national and 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.

Compensation:

The minimum 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

Required Qualifications:

• Lived or professional experience as a Community Health Worker (CHW) or Community Health Representative (CHR)
• Demonstrated understanding of CHW values and practice, including trust-based relationship building and community accountability
• Experience working with CHW workforce development efforts
• Experience building capacity through training, coalition building, or coaching
• Comfort using common office and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, or similar platforms

Preferred Qualifications:

• Multilingual
• Project management experience
• Experience working within grant-funded programs or supporting grantees
• Familiarity with the Rural Health Transformation Program or Wisconsin DHS CHW initiatives
• Knowledge of Medicaid CHW sustainability policies and approaches
• Experience living in or supporting rural or tribal communities
• Experience with CHW sustainability policies and approaches

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in public health, community health, social work, or a related field is preferred

How to Apply:

For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.

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

Contact Information:

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

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

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

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 Opportunity Employer. 

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 backgrounds and 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 accommodation for 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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