Assistant Director, Public Health

Announcement# 2024-010

Closing Date: April 4, 2024

Salary Range: $8,636 - $10,975, per month

The ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, PUBLIC HEALTH position is full-time, 40 hours, FLSA exempt, Civil Service, and not Union represented.

Columbia County is looking to complement our Public Health department with an Assistant Director to serve in a leadership role responsible for program planning, budgeting, development, implementation and evaluation as well as staff management. We are looking for a highly motivated individual with Public Health experience.

DUTIES: Plan, coordinate, supervise, and direct the activities of the Public Health department to include chronic disease prevention and other community health issues; infectious disease prevention and control; immunizations; overdose and injury prevention; maternal, child, and family health; and assisting with Public Health Modernization planning and implementation.

Responsible for compiling and managing the State Plans as defined in Oregon Revised statutes, and preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. Ensure services are rendered according to legal and professional standards and in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

Plan program initiatives and operations; recommend, develop, and implement program policies and procedures; monitor program activities; conduct quality assurance audits; evaluate program outcomes and effectiveness; research community health needs and available resources; and plan and develop programs with an emphasis on prevention and health promotion.

Prepare and/or assist with the development of programmatic, project, and departmental budgets. Monitor fiscal operations within programs and projects to remain within budget.

Assist the public in person and by telephone; answer a wide variety of questions related to departmental programs; refer calls and individuals to appropriate sources; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.

Manage special projects of priority to the Department. Coordinate the development of contractual agreements with external entities to provide access to clinical and preventive services. Determine need, prepare specifics, monitor performance, evaluate progress, and monitor revenue streams.

Collaborate with state and local organizations to promote and coordinate Public Health care services; serve as liaison with other county departments, government agencies, and community groups. Establish effective working relationships with other members of the public, elected officials, community-based organizations, local health care providers, County Departments, and associated external agencies.

Attend state, regional, and local Public Health meetings. Liaise with various programs at the Oregon Health Authority. Represent the county as either the primary or back-up member on the Conference of Local Health Officials' Health Promotion & Prevention Committee, Access to Clinical & Preventive Services Committee, and the Communicable Disease Committee.

Participate in the after-hours answering service call-down list with the Director and Public Health Officer.

Attend department, countywide, and inter-agency meetings related to assigned programs and services.

In the event of a declared emergency by the Board of County Commissioners, the position is subject to a temporary emergency assignment according to the Emergency Management Plan, for which prior preparation or cross-training may occur. Position will return to the regular assignment upon vacation of the declaration of emergency.

Act as the Public Health Director in the Director's absence.

Supervise staff, including assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, and training. Provide recommendations on hiring and on disciplinary action when appropriate. Handle employee complaints. Monitor and ensure timely completion of assignments; take appropriate action to resolve operational and administrative conflicts and problems. Consult with the Public Health Officer on clinical-related program deliverables and issues.

Assist in the departmental budget preparation process. Monitor fiscal operations of the department to remain within budgetary constraints. Research and pursue available funding options at the federal, state, and local level.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Equivalent to an advanced degree in Public Health, health care administration, health science or related field. Three years' of increasingly responsible experience in a closely related field. A four-year degree with sufficient additional experience may be considered. Two years' supervisory experience required. Any satisfactory combination of experience and training, which demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted for the above requirements.

Experience in Public Health programs, community engagement, collaboration, and partnership development in health systems, government or community-based organizations. Experience managing major, highly complex inter-divisional and interagency strategic programs, and projects involving multiple jurisdictions, multiple disciplines, and/or community groups. Experience in quality improvement, process improvement, and performance measures planning, and implementation. Experience in grant funding and project management. Experience in engaging a community, promoting health prevention strategies, and marketing health programs.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Should be self-aware in leading others and navigating challenging situations with grace and empathy. Open to diverse ideas and perspectives, willing to collaborate to find common ground.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable under the county's liability policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY: Knowledge of the principles and techniques of Public Health administration, including program planning; participative management theories; principles and practices of assigned health care programs; applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and rules; health care program policies and procedures to meet the needs of individuals with limited economic and social resources. Extensive knowledge of management principles and practices of human and financial resource management.

Skill in various software programs and Microsoft Office products. Skill in organization and project management; preparing and delivering reports as required. Skill working with marginalized populations, evaluating populations at health risk, identifying best practice interventions, and implementing interventions through community engagement and resources.

Ability to:

• Plan, implement, and evaluate department activities based on policy guidelines, regulations, and laws.
• Think conceptually and quickly to get to the heart of a problem.
• Set priorities and develop realistic solutions to problems.
• Express ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing. Use sound judgment and not be afraid to take reasonable risks.
• Adapt to change or new situations and openly acknowledge and work through conflict. Accept responsibility and be able to work well with ambiguity.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Model positive behavior desired in others and promote collaboration, and shared responsibility for departmental success. Look for opportunities for people to contribute, develop skills, take responsibility, and be trusted.
• Provide constructive feedback in a way that is sensitive to the emotions of others.
• Act in such a manner as to maintain the confidentiality of the records and issues and other matters that may be encountered.
• Develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, county officials, and the general public.
• Evaluate program requirements and initiate program management decisions following general departmental and budget guidelines.
• Find, apply for, receive, and administer a wide variety of grant funding.

Join our team - Columbia County online application must be completed - Apply today!

www.ColumbiaCountyOR.gov

All successful candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment background screening prior to hire.