San Francisco Department of Public Health
Health Worker 3 - (2587) Multiple Departments Citywide
San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Health Worker 3 - (2587) Multiple Departments Citywide
Position in the San Francisco Department of Public Health. This is a Citywide Exam posting; your application is an application for the citywide exam.
Application Details
Application Opening: November 14, 2025
Application Deadline: Continuous
Salary: $80,340 - $97,578 Annually
Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service
Recruitment ID: REF58271N
Locations Positions may be located at the following locations, but not limited to: Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG), Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH), various clinics, and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HOM).
Shift Days, evenings, weekends, and/or holiday shifts may be required, depending on the position.
General Job Description Under general supervision, the 2587 Health Worker 3 performs a wide variety of paraprofessional duties in a service program; works with professional staff in extending effective services to program clients; plans, develops, and follows through on all contacts and cases; may supervise a small staff of workers, primarily Health Worker 1 and 2.
In therapeutic rehabilitation programs, assists in planning recreational, educational, and work therapy activities
Interviews and screens patients
Identifies patient’s general condition and assists in assessing specific patient conditions and in treatment planning in conjunction with professional staff
May perform crisis intervention activities
Represents program staff in meetings with local community groups and governmental and social agencies to provide information on the activities and goals of the assigned program
May conduct craft, recreation, and other activity groups
May assist in conducting therapy sessions with professional supervision
Maintains records incidental to other assigned duties, including patient’s charts
May conduct surveys and operate technical equipment
Supervises others, primarily in the lower Health Worker classifications
When assigned to a specialized activities program, plans, implements, supervises, coordinates, publicizes, evaluates and documents activities for patients, including social, creative, educational, physical and religious programs
The 2587 Health Worker 3 performs other related duties as assigned or required.
Working Conditions Some positions may require employees to work directly with individuals within locked jails and psychiatric facilities; homeless populations and individuals who have or are carriers of infectious/communicable diseases. Some positions may also require exposure to inclement weather conditions and/or heavy lifting.
How to Qualify Two (2) years of verifiable experience within the last five (5) years, working with a culturally diverse population performing a combination of at least two (2) of the following duties:
Serving as a liaison between targeted communities and healthcare agencies
Providing culturally appropriate health education/information and outreach to targeted populations
Providing referral and follow‑up services or otherwise coordinating care
Providing informal counseling, social support and advocacy to targeted populations
Escorting and transporting clients
Providing courier/dispatcher functions
Performing pre‑clinical examinations of vital statistics, such as measuring a patient’s weight, height, temperature and blood pressure
Substitution: Possession of a Community Health Worker Certificate from City College of San Francisco can substitute for 6 months of experience. One‑year full‑time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (based on a 40‑hour work week).
Special Conditions
Bilingual proficiency in English and a target language; applicants must indicate proficiency on the application form
Possession of a valid Alcohol and other Drugs Counseling Certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies
Activity Therapist Experience
Verification of Education and Experience Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Selection Procedures After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following.
Multiple‑Choice Examination (Weight: 100%) Qualifications
Ability to work effectively in diverse, multicultural environments by understanding the ethnic, economic, and social factors affecting communities; providing trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, and equitable care; establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships; coordinating services and scheduling appointments; and preparing, organizing and maintaining records. Implement activities and programs; assess client needs through interviews and evaluations and apply sound judgment to develop appropriate services or treatment plans; interpret and apply office policies, laws, regulations and procedures; read and review information such as forms and documents; apply de‑escalation or counseling techniques in sensitive or high‑stress situations; train individuals, evaluate work performance, and provide constructive feedback; lead, motivate, and supervise staff and other support staff; work with patients/clients with substance use disorders and behavioral health needs; orally communicate effectively, professionally and courteously with others in a clear and understandable manner; communicate written information in a clear, concise, and understandable manner; and/or utilize technology and work with data using various software and systems.
Knowledge of principles of activity therapy and/or health and community services.
Candidates must achieve a passing score on the multiple‑choice exam in order to continue in the selection process and will be placed on the confidential eligible list in rank order according to their final score.
Language Proficiency Exam For positions requiring bilingual fluency, candidates deemed qualified who meet the special language condition must pass a departmentally approved language proficiency exam prior to appointment. Only eligible candidates who pass the bilingual proficiency test will be considered for the bilingual position.
Certification Rule The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of the List Scores.
Eligible List / Score Report A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Candidate information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list / score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.
Candidate names will remain on the list for a maximum period of 12 months. Candidates that are not selected and expire off the list may re‑apply.
How to Apply Applications are only accepted through an online process. Visit careers.sf.gov and begin the application process. Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103‑5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement.
Additional Information Regarding Employment
Candidate Knowledge Center with information on: Position Types and Hiring Process, Diversity Statement, Applications and Minimum Qualifications, Right to Work, Copies of Application Documents, Disaster Service Workers
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity
Disaster Service Workers
Reasonable Accommodation
Veterans Preference
Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
Contact Information For questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst,
Juliette Soto
at
Juliette.Soto@sfdph.org
or
(628)271-6709 .
Equal Employment Opportunity The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Hospitals and Health Care
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Application Details
Application Opening: November 14, 2025
Application Deadline: Continuous
Salary: $80,340 - $97,578 Annually
Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service
Recruitment ID: REF58271N
Locations Positions may be located at the following locations, but not limited to: Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG), Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH), various clinics, and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HOM).
Shift Days, evenings, weekends, and/or holiday shifts may be required, depending on the position.
General Job Description Under general supervision, the 2587 Health Worker 3 performs a wide variety of paraprofessional duties in a service program; works with professional staff in extending effective services to program clients; plans, develops, and follows through on all contacts and cases; may supervise a small staff of workers, primarily Health Worker 1 and 2.
In therapeutic rehabilitation programs, assists in planning recreational, educational, and work therapy activities
Interviews and screens patients
Identifies patient’s general condition and assists in assessing specific patient conditions and in treatment planning in conjunction with professional staff
May perform crisis intervention activities
Represents program staff in meetings with local community groups and governmental and social agencies to provide information on the activities and goals of the assigned program
May conduct craft, recreation, and other activity groups
May assist in conducting therapy sessions with professional supervision
Maintains records incidental to other assigned duties, including patient’s charts
May conduct surveys and operate technical equipment
Supervises others, primarily in the lower Health Worker classifications
When assigned to a specialized activities program, plans, implements, supervises, coordinates, publicizes, evaluates and documents activities for patients, including social, creative, educational, physical and religious programs
The 2587 Health Worker 3 performs other related duties as assigned or required.
Working Conditions Some positions may require employees to work directly with individuals within locked jails and psychiatric facilities; homeless populations and individuals who have or are carriers of infectious/communicable diseases. Some positions may also require exposure to inclement weather conditions and/or heavy lifting.
How to Qualify Two (2) years of verifiable experience within the last five (5) years, working with a culturally diverse population performing a combination of at least two (2) of the following duties:
Serving as a liaison between targeted communities and healthcare agencies
Providing culturally appropriate health education/information and outreach to targeted populations
Providing referral and follow‑up services or otherwise coordinating care
Providing informal counseling, social support and advocacy to targeted populations
Escorting and transporting clients
Providing courier/dispatcher functions
Performing pre‑clinical examinations of vital statistics, such as measuring a patient’s weight, height, temperature and blood pressure
Substitution: Possession of a Community Health Worker Certificate from City College of San Francisco can substitute for 6 months of experience. One‑year full‑time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (based on a 40‑hour work week).
Special Conditions
Bilingual proficiency in English and a target language; applicants must indicate proficiency on the application form
Possession of a valid Alcohol and other Drugs Counseling Certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies
Activity Therapist Experience
Verification of Education and Experience Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Selection Procedures After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following.
Multiple‑Choice Examination (Weight: 100%) Qualifications
Ability to work effectively in diverse, multicultural environments by understanding the ethnic, economic, and social factors affecting communities; providing trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, and equitable care; establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships; coordinating services and scheduling appointments; and preparing, organizing and maintaining records. Implement activities and programs; assess client needs through interviews and evaluations and apply sound judgment to develop appropriate services or treatment plans; interpret and apply office policies, laws, regulations and procedures; read and review information such as forms and documents; apply de‑escalation or counseling techniques in sensitive or high‑stress situations; train individuals, evaluate work performance, and provide constructive feedback; lead, motivate, and supervise staff and other support staff; work with patients/clients with substance use disorders and behavioral health needs; orally communicate effectively, professionally and courteously with others in a clear and understandable manner; communicate written information in a clear, concise, and understandable manner; and/or utilize technology and work with data using various software and systems.
Knowledge of principles of activity therapy and/or health and community services.
Candidates must achieve a passing score on the multiple‑choice exam in order to continue in the selection process and will be placed on the confidential eligible list in rank order according to their final score.
Language Proficiency Exam For positions requiring bilingual fluency, candidates deemed qualified who meet the special language condition must pass a departmentally approved language proficiency exam prior to appointment. Only eligible candidates who pass the bilingual proficiency test will be considered for the bilingual position.
Certification Rule The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of the List Scores.
Eligible List / Score Report A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Candidate information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list / score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.
Candidate names will remain on the list for a maximum period of 12 months. Candidates that are not selected and expire off the list may re‑apply.
How to Apply Applications are only accepted through an online process. Visit careers.sf.gov and begin the application process. Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103‑5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement.
Additional Information Regarding Employment
Candidate Knowledge Center with information on: Position Types and Hiring Process, Diversity Statement, Applications and Minimum Qualifications, Right to Work, Copies of Application Documents, Disaster Service Workers
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity
Disaster Service Workers
Reasonable Accommodation
Veterans Preference
Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
Contact Information For questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst,
Juliette Soto
at
Juliette.Soto@sfdph.org
or
(628)271-6709 .
Equal Employment Opportunity The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Hospitals and Health Care
#J-18808-Ljbffr