Director - Public Health & Community Services presso Skagit County, WA

About the Department

Reporting directly to the County Administrator, the Public Health Director is responsible for organizing and directing the services, operations, fiscal and administrative functions of the Skagit County Public Health Department.  Skagit County Public Health is an integrated public health and human services department. The Director will have oversight of Child and Family Health, Communicable Disease, Environmental Health, Assessment and Planning, Community Services, Response Systems, Senior Services, Emergency Preparedness, and Vital Services programs.  

The Director ensures the efficient and effective utilization of personnel and resources to accomplish short-term and long-range planning.  The position also implements and maintains sound organizational practices, controls costs, and directs all departmental operations.  The Director will bring strong management skills and a forward-thinking approach to cultivate a work culture that supports staff and quality customer service. Develops relationships with staff, other departments and individuals outside county government that encourages participation, teamwork, effective relationships, and use of resources.  Works with other agencies and groups to accomplish the work, mission, goals and vision of the Department and the County.  

Position Duties

Performs tasks related to effective administration of the department such as human resource management, financial management, staff supervision, efficient use of resources, regulation compliance and timely execution of duties and roles performed by the Department.  

Promotes, establishes, and maintains ongoing relationships for the department and the County, serving as liaison and communications channel between the Skagit County Board of County Commissioners, Skagit County Board of Health, Skagit County Health Officer and Public Health staff.  

Promotes inter-departmental coordination with local, state, and federal government agencies, civic and community organizations.   Serves on or initiates various boards and committees to provide for communication and development of regional and local health policies and programs.

Develops and implements strategic short and long-range plans, programs, goals, and objectives.  Facilitates and coordinates cooperative planning in conjunction with other departments and entities.  Reviews and updates planning recommendations.  

Directs activities ensuring efficient and effective use of available personnel, funds, materials, and space in compliance with guidelines, procedures and regulations.  Works with and oversees program managers on program definition, priorities, and administration. 

Reviews, interprets, and prepares data to analyze and make recommendations about which programs and/or major project proposals should be initiated, modified or discontinued.  Recommends and implements changes in staffing and structure consistent with changing public health roles and department goals and objectives.  

Develops, implements, and monitors departmental budget.   Monitors and maintains revenues and expenditures within budget guidelines.  Implements cost effective measures and uses resources effectively to increase productivity.  Negotiates and manages contracts for services and local government agreements between the Department and outside entities.  Assures grant and contract compliance.

Fosters and leads a collaborative, caring work environment that empowers staff to thrive and work to their fullest potential.   Leads and mentors the leadership team and staff to work with compassion, honestly and integrity.  Responsible for building and strengthening the leadership skills of all staff to develop strong community-based partnerships.  Motivates team to achieve organizational goals, delegates and holds staff accountable.

Directly supervises division managers. Supervises and coaches all departmental employees through delegation of division managers, evaluates performance, disciplines, hires, directs and terminates staff. Assigns, supervises, and evaluates work consistent with assigned job classification.   Conducts and/or reviews performance evaluations to guide the development of employees and provide a record of performance.  Interprets and applies personnel policies; reviews, revises, and authorizes consistent employment actions. Initiates, documents, and implements disciplinary actions. Establishes performance standards.  Makes administrative decisions.

Directs research, collects, and evaluates data to identify patterns, trends and impact on department operations.  Estimate and analyze revenues, costs, and effectiveness of programs.  Monitor and interpret fiscal and statistical information.  Develop ways to identify, improve and promote efficient systems and process.

Develops policy recommendations and reports related to these and other issues affecting county-wide programs, operations, and services in which the department is involved.  Assesses and assures policy compliance and assures equitable interpretation and application of regulations.  Assures appropriate policies, procedures and tasks are created and updated.  Ensures enforcement of ordinances, state and federal rules and regulations, policies, and procedures.  

Maintains positive working relationships with other State, County and municipal officials, general public, attorneys and media representatives to assure Health Department functions are performed in a manner consistent with sound public relations techniques.

Responds to or supervises the resolution of the most sensitive or complex inquiries, complaints, emergencies or requests for information from other departments and the public.  

Supervisory:

May be required to perform supervisory functions in the absence of the Department Head or other supervisory positions in the department.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

Performs special projects that may be outside the normal areas of assignment, as directed.

May be tasked with performing related duties.   Related duties are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.  

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Bachelor’s degree or higher with emphasis in Public Health Administration, Public Administration or related field is preferred.

Five years of administrative and/or managerial work at the senior management level, associated with public health and/or social services and at least three years of significant supervisory and people leadership responsibilities.

Requires knowledge of and the ability to:

Perform thoroughly and accurately the full scope of ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS for this position as listed above.

• Deliver results, build accountability for staff at all levels, and create a positive working environment characterized by teamwork and innovation.
• Demonstrate a strong and confident presence with effective listening skills.
• Be accessible and understand the importance of maintaining close and consistent communication with staff.
• Work as a cooperative team member who has experience working with partners and stakeholders.
• An understanding of the current business competencies of public health.
• Establish and maintain a professional working relationship with elected officials, department heads, County employees and the general public. Specifically, work with a Board of County Commissioners to build achievable goals that will take the department to the next level of service.
• Demonstrate political acumen and sensitivity to be effective within a broad range of interests.
• Provide excellent executive leadership skills with comprehensive knowledge of all facets of public health.
• Deliver exceptional written and oral communication skills which will be used to clearly communicate the policies and strategic vision to staff and citizens in a clear and concise manner. 
• Ensure future-focused strategic planning is in place through the utilization of data driven decisions.
• Consistently communicate with community members on a timely basis regarding the mission, needs, and goals of the organization.
• Interact courteously and effectively with persons from diverse occupational and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Effectively promote the commitment of the County to provide outstanding customer service and quality patient care.
• Provide leadership and maintain a high level of personal and professional integrity and honesty.

• Administer budgets, policies, and procedures.

• Evaluate costs and find reduction opportunities to manage budget goals.
• Perform public relations functions.
• Exercise good judgment to analyze problems and to develop and implement effective solutions to plan for adjustments that may be necessitated by changing needs.  

Licenses and/or Certifications:

Washington State Driving License.

Must have a driving record that meets County standards and possess a valid driver’s license at time of hire and through employment.

Must be able to pass a County background check.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is performed under limited supervision requiring independent judgment and discretion. 

Work is performed primarily in an indoor office environment and requires the ability to sit for long periods at a desk and computer.   Work occasionally outside the office providing community outreach, home visits, investigation and surveillance May travels throughout the county and state to attend meetings and conferences.   May be required to lift boxes, files or other materials.  Work will require sitting for long periods of time at a computer.  

Hazards:

Those present in a health care and office environment.  Potential exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous driving conditions.

Other Qualifications

SELECTION PROCESS:

Following review of applications and resumes, the highest qualified applicants will be interviewed and may be tested. After a selection is made, all applicants not selected will be notified in writing. Skagit County reserves the right to use applications received for this posting to fill any other positions within this classification which may open within six months following the closing of this position. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices. American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test or interview process, please call: (360) 416-1382. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.