Job Details

Public Health Branch Division Head

Under the direction of the Public Health Branch Director or Public Health Deputy Branch Director, provide leadership in organizing and directing a division of the Public Health Branch, and to do related work as required.

This classification is a division head position in the Public Health Branch of the Health and Human Services Agency. The incumbent is responsible for planning, supervising, evaluating, and monitoring health promotion programs and administrative functions which requires a considerable knowledge of state, federal, or other guidelines specific to the respective programs. The position is a key member of the Branch's Leadership Team. Special skills and/or experience may be required relative to the duty assignment.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Provide creative leadership to strategically plan, implement and coordinate Public Health programs and services; think creatively, develop new approaches as needed, focus on results and population health outcomes, and exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound judgment in preventing, identifying and solving difficult problems; monitor program expenditures and revenues, and make recommendations for budget submission; in cooperation with Branch administration, negotiate and prepare contracts with state and other governmental agencies, community organizations, businesses, or individuals, and provide fiscal monitoring and oversight of contracted program activities; develop and maintain effective working relationships with the community; effectively supervise staff (hire, train, motivate, evaluate, and discipline so as to foster staff support in implementing and evaluating program activities) and initiate corrective actions, when necessary; investigate and resolve complaints from staff and customers; work under limited supervision, prioritize work assignments, delegate effectively, and work well under pressure of deadlines; work cooperatively to optimize integration of and increase access to public health services; participate in and promote efforts to enhance the cultural competency of the Public Health Branch; and effectively represent the Branch before other County departments, community groups, and governmental agencies as designated by the Branch Director or Deputy Branch Director.

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Knowledge of: Public Health practices and administration; functions and services of local community agencies and organizations and community resources specific to the duty assignment; leadership, management, supervision, and training; programs and issues related to population-based community health and prevention activities; Healthy People 2020 and its successor guidelines to national public health goals; program management, including development, oversight, proposal and grant writing, budget preparation, fiscal monitoring, program supervision and program evaluation; principles of staff training, coaching, mentoring, and staff development.

Ability to: Demonstrate leadership in community-based prevention activities; organize, motivate, and utilize strong verbal and written communication skills to involve stakeholders in addressing public health issues and in advocating for policy and system changes to improve the community's health; gain the support and cooperation of public officials, community groups, and agencies relative to public health concerns; focus on prevention, results and population health outcomes, and exercise initiative, ingenuity, and sound judgment in identifying and solving difficult or sensitive administrative or community problems; think strategically and set and carry out goals and objectives; plan, implement, and evaluate health programs and intervention strategies in areas specific to the duty assignment, and make program changes in response to program evaluation to most effectively improve community health priorities; work collaboratively and effectively with local and state agencies, community groups, medical communities, and public news media, and Public Health staff, including addressing problems of a sensitive and/or political nature; train, motivate, and effectively direct and evaluate the work of supervised staff; prepare clear, concise recommendations, reports and plans; direct or assist in the development of funding for health promotion efforts, including grant and request-for-proposal writing; actively support and promote the Health and Human Services Agency's mission and its population-based health outcomes orientation.

Minimum qualifications: Three (3) years of progressively more responsible experience supervising, managing, or administering public health or related programs, AND a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in community or public health, nursing, health administration, or a field closely related to the area of assignment. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in public health, health business, public administration, or a health-related specialty is highly desired and may be substituted for one (1) year or experience.

Special requirement: Possession of a valid California driver's license. Depending on the duty assignment, the position may require a specific license and/or certification.