Public Health Strategist

The Public Health Strategist uses a multi-collaborative health approach to strengthen the community and interagency partnerships. As part of a team, this position develops and implements innovative, evidence-based interventions to improve population health, and leads needs assessment efforts based on community priorities. This position evaluates program efforts and disseminates findings to contribute to evidence-based intervention knowledge base. As an engaged change leader, this position provides leadership for coalitions, work groups and action groups as well as helps implement the health department’s organizational and strategic goals. This position provides leadership for the health department’s community health improvement plan and helps support health department quality improvement efforts. This position provides leadership for emergency preparedness planning and response to public health disasters, outbreaks, or emergencies. This position will also supervise the public health specialists and provide back-up when there is staff turnover or division needs.

Under the direction of the Public Health Manager/Health Officer and/or as part of various workgroups and teams, the Public Health Strategist will perform the following duties in accordance with the core functions and essential services of public health service delivery.   Public Health Sciences  Oversees the Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), strategic plan, accreditation process/progress, evaluation, and quality improvement processes (140 Review). Engages members of the community in the process of collecting qualitative and quantitative data and information on community health needs and assets. Advocates for strategies to address and improve upon leading causes of illness, injury, and premature death in the community. Develops work plans, SMART objectives, and other planning documents to address identified community health needs in alignment with any relevant funding sources. Implements processes for and dissemination of relevant, accurate information and evidence-informed prevention guidance to the public health system and community. Assists and provides leadership on plan development and implementation within the agency and the community related to preparedness response and participates in the multi-disciplinary meetings to ensure public health plans are integrated and coordinated with other local and state agency plans. Participates in preparedness educational sessions, trainings, and exercises designed to increase the awareness and effectiveness of existing public health planning and response. Plans and attends workshops, presentations and training programs for individuals and groups. Attends trainings, courses, seminars, and conferences, as approved by Health Officer to maintain knowledge of current trends and to develop skills necessary to assure duties are performed satisfactorily.  Community Partnership  Builds relationships and implements strategies with community-based organizations engaged in health education and health promotion activities to impact the health of residents. Develops meaningful community partnerships, fosters, and supports community involvement in development, adoption, and implementation of policies affecting public health, including engagement of diverse populations and considerations of adversely impacted populations. Represents the health department by serving on various committees, coalitions and community alliances related to program areas or as assigned by Health Director or designee. Takes leadership role on community coalitions, work groups, and action groups. Develops, coordinates, facilitates, implements, and evaluates coalition work plans, activities, goals, and objectives in the community. Partners with persons, agencies, and organizations as part of the Community Health Assessment process to cultivate community ownership throughout the continuous cycle of community health assessment and improvement planning.  Data Analytics and Assessment  Develops and implements a tracking plan/data base to address goals, objectives, and strategies for improving health priorities identified through the CHIP and monitors progress towards goals and objectives. Gathers, organizes, interprets, and maintains data for program monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and improvement. Analyzes public health data and translates finding to a variety of audiences, including in-depth and meaningful analysis of health disparities. Research and implement evidence-based strategies to improve community health. Performs computer input and retrieval functions utilizing a variety of hardware and software programs. Employs data-driven decision-making to determine pertinent program priorities, goals, and objectives. Evaluates outcomes, effectiveness of plans, and makes changes as necessary.  Assumes responsibility for using quality improvement (QI) and performance management (PM) processes and/or techniques to improve the effectiveness of the respective public health program. This includes, but is not limited to creating, implementing, and evaluating performance standards and identifying, implementing, and assessing program quality improvement processes.  Leadership and Systems Thinking  Supervises and directs the Public Health Specialist positions, as well as any public health intern positions. This would include evaluating work assignments, overseeing staff performance, providing guidance, addressing personnel issues, communicating organizational functions, identifying, and supporting professional development needs, and promoting a cooperative work environment. Assists the PH Manager in interviewing and hiring of new employees. Trains new staff and ensures ongoing training of existing staff. Assigns and supervises the work performance of the Public Health Specialists and works with the PH Manager on corrective and/or discipling actions. Performs annual evaluations with the assistance of the PH Manager. Provides leadership for community coalitions and work groups, as related to public health initiatives. Provides coordination and technical assistance for all agencies and community partners working on the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Contributes to a work environment where continuous quality improvements in service and professional practice are pursued.  Policy Development and Program Planning  Develops and implements strategies, initiatives and activities for individuals, families and population groups that promote health and prevent disease, injuries and disabilities in settings including, but not limited to, homes, community organizations, businesses, schools, and the community. Collaborates in the development, implementation and evaluation of long-and-short range policies, procedures, plans and programs for general health programming. Participates in developing strategies on how Public Health can be actively involved in the development of county-wide policies and plans that impact the built environment and public health of the county and region. Serves on inter-jurisdictional or multi-agency committees involved in policy development; coordinates review/comment processes for proposed policy documents. Helps develop and implement plans, policies, or strategies to improve the physical, environmental, social, and economic conditions affecting health.  Communication and Cultural Competency  Develops and implements outreach/marketing plans for public health initiatives. Utilizes design skills to develop evidence-based program materials that focus on health literacy, for use by community members and other professionals. Delivers targeted, culturally appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand health promotion and disease prevention information, policies, regulations, and local code. Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles, and physical abilities. Ex) one-on-one, group sessions, media interviews, story boards, website, and social media. Educates local and state policy makers and community stakeholders on public health issues. Adheres to ethical principles and Jackson County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) policy in the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and information.  Financial Planning and Management  Contributes to the development and preparation of proposals for funding from external resources (grants) for health promotion and disease prevention initiatives and programs. Maintains and prepares records and reports per relevant funding requirements. Collaborates in activities such as time studies that contribute to the development of budgets and the efficient use of resources. Advises Public Health (PH) Manager of unit budget needs. Assists the PH Manager with the budgets following discussion of the annual anticipated expenditures according to the project grant award, reviews expenditures at least quarterly with the PH Manager.  Other  Meets monthly with Public Health Specialists to discuss overall project operations. Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with training provided, in response to threats to the public’s health consistent with job classification. Participates in department and community emergency response training and drills in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness, consistent with job classification. Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups, and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued. Performs other duties as assigned consistent with job classification.  Knowledge, SKILLS, and Abilities required to perform job  The Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals are a set of competencies for the broad practice of public health. (http://www.phf.org/resourcestools/Pages/Core_Public_Health_Competencies.aspx). Developed by the Council on Linkages, the Core Competencies reflect skills that are desirable for professionals who deliver the Essential Public Health Services. The Core Competencies serve as the foundation for public health practices and are intertwined in the duties and responsibilities listed above. Excellent customer service and communication skills, both face-to-face and over the phone. Excellent computer skills.  Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment. Ability to multi-task and effectively handle change. Ability to work as a team member. Ability to read and interpret documents, and laws in the English language. Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas in spoken and written format so individuals may effectively understand and convey communications. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Inductive and deductive reasoning – ability to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions; includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together and deciding if an answer makes sense.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Master’s degree in public health or related field preferred.
• Consideration will be given to candidates with a bachelor’s degree in public health, health education, health planning, epidemiology, administration, public communication, nursing, or other related field. 
• Professional experience in public/community health, including experience with program planning, community organizing, or data analysis preferred. 

Certifications, Licenses, etc. 

• National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 700 and 800 certifications within six (6) months of employment.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) 300 and 400 certification within twelve (12) months of employment.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to transportation suitable to complete necessary work out of the office.

HIPAA Responsibility All members of the workforce have a responsibility to watch for unauthorized use or disclosures of Protected Health Information (PHI), to act to prevent the action, and to report suspected breaches of privacy and security policies to their supervisor, or to the Privacy or Security Officer (example of a breach:  member or visitor looking through a claim or personal information left on a desk).  Physical Demands   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands and finger, handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms, hear and talk.     The employee frequently is required to run, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, taste, and smell.     Required to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Additional Notes  Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Jackson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $65,624 - $73,132