Public Health - Public Health Director

LA PLATA COUNTY

PUBLIC HEALTH-

Public Health Director: Oversees the planning, development & implementation of public health services, & administers & enforces Public Health laws, orders, rules & standards set by the CO Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) & the County. Assesses & monitors health factors in La Plata County & develops strategies to effectively communicate health issues to the public. Ideal candidate will be an outstanding leader; possesses a solutions-oriented & strategic mindset; will act as a public health educator & excel at communication. Requires MA in public health discipline or be a physician & 5 years of public health experience. Full Time with medical, dental, vision, retirement, 38+ paid vacation/holiday days, 13+ paid sick days & paid parental leave benefits. Salary $,114,501-143,126/year depending on experience. Application deadline 4 pm 5/23/24. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CLASS TITLE: PUBLIC HEALTH DEPUTY DIRECTOR

GRADE: G17

DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEALTH

FLSA STATUS: E

REPORTS TO: PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR (WHEN FILLED)

DATE: 11/23

JOB SUMMARY: This position performs executive-level duties for the La Plata County Public Health Department and oversees high-priority, department-level projects, initiatives, and strategies and also leads the development and provision of community-facing services and Divisions within the Public Health department. The Deputy Director directly supervises the Division Directors of Environmental Health and Communicable Disease, Community Health Promotion, and Public Health Innovation and may be asked to directly supervise other future Divisions of the health department at the discretion of the Executive Director. The Deputy Director may be requested to lead special projects, policy initiatives, community engagement efforts as directed by the Executive Director. This role is a heavily community-facing role and works to establish a strategic vision and implementation plan for community-facing services in a way that positions these Divisions for addressing future growth in County population, community need, emerging best practices, and innovative practices. In the absence of the Executive Director, provides executive leadership of the La Plata County Public Health Department for all internal and external matters related to program, policy, administration, finance, community, and interactions with the La Plata County Board of Health working in close collaboration with Division Directors and other leaders within the department. With the Executive Director, the Deputy Director coordinates work with all of the Public Health department divisions and offices.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible. Executive Leadership • Provides executive leadership over the La Plata County Public Health Department, including overseeing planning, supervision, and coordination of community-based services. • Maintains awareness of policy, public health law, regulations, and political landscape and collaborates closely with the County Attorney’s Office and other subject matter experts in the interpretation and application of policy to health department operations. • Dedication to and promotion of psychological safety and staff development throughout the agency by fostering an environment of learning, development, and growth for all La Plata County Public Health Department staff. • Serves as Executive Sponsor on large-scale, cross-divisional, and multidisciplinary strategic projects. • Provides strategic direction to all community-based services, with a focus on capacity building, innovation, and growth as it relates to community needs and emerging best practices. • Provides executive leadership and sponsorship of large-scale, cross-Division and multidisciplinary projects, including special projects, policy initiatives, community engagement efforts, and change management efforts as assigned. • Champions quality improvement and process improvement efforts and brings new opportunities forward to the Public Health department leadership team. • Promotes health equity as a foundational element to improving health outcomes in the communities served by the health department. Strives to integrate equity and justice into all department programs, services, and activities, working in close partnership with the Public Health Innovations Manager and Strategic Initiatives Director and other subject matter experts. • Responds to public health emergencies and initiates corrective actions and responses pursuant to federal, state, and local laws, as assigned by the Executive Director. Plays a critical role in the Public Health department’s incident command system (ICS) during incidents or other emergencies. • Serves as an agency spokesperson within the broader community on ongoing and emerging public health issues, community health promotion policies. • Participates in the hiring, onboarding, training, and development of top-level department staff. • Works closely with the Executive Director, Division Directors, and other subject matter experts to develop and monitor annual budget and address contractual issues as needed. • Works collaboratively with cross-functional teams and other county departments to support efforts to integrate operations with existing county functions. • Regular and predictable attendance is required. Innovative Practices • Brings forward sustainable, visionary concepts on new methods of service and community health improvement activities. • Embraces creativity as core function of leadership and encourages break-through ideas from those around them. • Embraces process improvement, change management, project management, and evaluation as critical leadership tools, and recognizes the benefit that these practices bring and champions application of these tools within the Divisions and programs supervised and across the department as a whole. • Creates a safe environment for staff to bring forward and test breakthrough ideas, innovative practices, creates an openness for learning from mistakes, and commits to supporting staff as they support the community. Financial Responsibilities • Assists with budget and financial planning activities and budget monitoring. Reviews and approves certain program expenditures. • Ensures that operational procedures are consistent and projects are on time, on task, and within budget. • Supports public health programs in identifying and evaluating grant and additional funding opportunities. • Recommends and supports process improvements and policy/procedure changes to enhance quality, time, and budget deliverables. Additional Duties • Participates in continuous process improvement and program evaluation as required. • Participates in performance management activities for the department as a whole. Utilizes performance management in informed decision-making. • Participates in various committees and boards related to public health programs, activities, and responsibilities. • Performs other duties as assigned and required. Responsibility to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion • Must commit to a learning mindset and continuous improvement regarding the practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of work within La Plata County and The Department of Public Health including management style, work style, training, communication, and evaluation. • Performs both internal and external work in a way that is equitably inclusive and effective within the diverse communities we serve. • Regularly assesses work and supports changes to remove systemic barriers, build systems that address inequities, and integrate Health Equity into all areas of work. • Creates and maintains partnerships and processes that support and integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of La Plata County Health Department work. • Prioritizes transparency and supports an open-door culture. • Integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion into internal and external goal setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities for this position would be:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, public administration, biological or environmental science, or related filed is required. A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public health, public administration, biological or environmental science, or a related field is preferred. At least 7 years of supervisory or management experience in upper-level management position with four (4) years within the public health setting, health systems setting, and/or local governmental experience. Local governmental public health experience strongly preferred; or Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid Driver's License

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Required Knowledge: Ability to interpret and implement statutes and regulations and develop policies and procedures to implement public health programs. A thorough knowledge of the organization, structure, funding and functions of both state and local governments, including budget and finance, with particular reference to their implications on the county level. Collaborative management and leadership within a large organization and with external organizations. Thorough knowledge of Public Health regulations, policies and statutes and the ability to interpret and implement. Knowledge of current federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies, agency letters, journals, conferences, etc. Knowledge of community resources.

Language Skills: Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in a variety of written formats. Must be able to interpret, apply, explain and enforce all applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures to a wide range of audiences and levels of knowledge. Ability to assemble, organize and present statistical, financial and technical information derived from a variety of sources. Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex and technical documents including contracts, maps, and complex management and financial reports and respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to read, comprehend and translate information relayed in written or graphic format. Must be able to write policies, procedures, correspondence and other types of documents. Must have the ability to write speeches, articles and manuals and create presentations using original and innovative techniques and styles. Must have the ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups and organizations and/or board of directors. Ability to prepare industry specific technical reports and budgeting information.

Interpersonal Skills: Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Works with the media to maintain a positive image of the County to the community. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must be able to diffuse the most intense situation with diplomacy and professionalism. Must have the acumen to navigate political waters of the County and other outside agencies and organizations. Demonstrate a commitment to the County’s mission, values and core beliefs. Provide leadership, guidance, and feedback to ensure continual quality improvement and respect the experience, cultural and overall diversity of those you lead and interact with.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with complex mathematical concepts such as probability, statistical inference, budgeting, risk analysis. Work with bidding and review. Must have extensive proficiency in statistical analysis included inferences and probability. Must have extensive proficiency in transactional accounting, budget analysis and conduct cost analysis and produce critical path schedules. Must have extensive knowledge of governmental accounting, financial reporting and budgeting.

Reasoning Skills: Must be able to make rational decisions through sound logical and deductive processes and make sound judgements, decision making, problem solving, while planning, directing and monitoring the work of the agency. Must be able to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and recommend or implement best options in support of strategic goals and objectives. Consider concrete and abstract variables. Must have the ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in difficult and complex cases and present material in a clear and logical form, including oral and written presentations, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions. Must be able to successfully manage multiple projects and complete work under pressure pursuant to deadlines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT The conditions listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Please direct all requests for accommodation to the Human Resources Department.

Environment: Work is performed in a standard office environment. Ability to tolerate and be productive in a quiet to moderate noise level in the work place. While performing the essential functions of the job the employee is frequently required to reach, grasp, finger, stand and/or sit for long periods of time, walk, talk and hear; occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The job requires eye/hand coordination and manual dexterity to use office/medical equipment. The individual is exposed to hazards associated with a public health environment. The employee is occasionally exposed to airborne particles, body fluids, feces, bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of duties. Employee will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field such as driving and inclement weather. May be exposed to communicable health conditions and angry, hostile, frustrated individuals and those with behavioral and/or cognitive challenges.