Community Health Division Director

This position fulfills the Director of Public Health Nursing role as outlined in CCR Title 17.
This position is located in the Public Health Administration Office in Oroville, CA.

FLSA: Exempt

DEFINITION

Under general direction, plans, organizes oversees and directs activities and services for public health nursing practice and the work of nursing and other professionally licensed staff performing difficult, complex and technical duties related to public health services through a variety of clinic and field services; assists with program planning and budgeting; coordinates assigned activities with other County departments and outside agencies; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to County staff and the public in public health promotion and service delivery activities. Serves as the Director of Public Health Nursing as outlined in California Code of Regulations Title 17 Public Health, 1301. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Director of Public Health or designee. Exercises direction over supervisory, professional, technical and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision. 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating a comprehensive range of public health programs which provide services aimed at improving and advocating for the health and wellbeing of culturally, socially and economically diverse communities throughout the County. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned programs, budget administration and reporting, and program evaluation. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, 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.

• Plans, organizes, manages, and directs public health staff and programs which promote and advocate for community health and wellbeing through education, intervention, and collaborative partnerships; program areas include, but are not limited to, California Children’s Services (CCS), public health nursing, public health laboratory services, community clinics, disease surveillance and investigation, and assessment, planning, and evaluation.
• Evaluates nursing practice proficiency, California Practice Act compliance, adherence to nursing professional code of conduct and advises the County on best practices and areas of improvement.
• Participates in on-site and virtual compliance reviews as conducted by state surveyors; corrects reported deficiencies.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs division personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with division standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, work standards and division policies and procedures.
• Prepares and administers budgets for assigned division and related programs; forecasts additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures.
• Directs the development of management systems, procedures, and standards for program evaluation; monitors developments relating to community health; evaluates their impact on County operations and implements changes.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Supports Public Health Accreditation by attending meetings, conducting performance management, quality improvements, and strategic planning; provides input into the Community Health Assessment and performance management systems; documents delivery of the three core functions of Public Health and the ten essential Public Health Services and other ongoing processes to help meet standards for ongoing audits by the Public Health Accreditation Board.
• Prepares or directs the preparation of a variety of periodic and special reports related to divisional actions as well as responses to requests submitted through the Public Records Act.
• Directs the preparation of grant applications for federal and state funding; identifies new grant opportunities and ensures appropriate federal and state funding is claimed; monitors post award funding activities.
• Serves as a liaison for the assigned division to other County departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings as necessary; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces as necessary; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Develops and reviews staff reports related to assigned activities and services; provides updates to the Board of Supervisors on specific issues as needed.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of community health; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to County needs.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect programs, services and operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval and determines priorities.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control and work standards.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Strategic and operational requirements for Public Health Accreditation.
• Legislative trends as they relate to public health nursing and community health programs.
• Principles and practices of program management including planning, development, monitoring, evaluation and administration.
• Principles and practices of direct client service delivery programs. 
• Cultural, social, and behavioral factors which affect health status. 
• Health education practices, policy development, and program planning. 
• Principles and practices of legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct.
• Community resources and organizations dealing with public health and related programs. 
• Social and political issues influencing program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of public health program services including evidence and practice-based assessment, prevention and treatment.
• Nursing Practice Act within the CA Business and Professional Code. 
• Medical terminology. 
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to public health nursing and community health programs.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative, management and professional leadership for the Community Health Division. 
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner. 
• Assist in preparing and administering large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Coordinate community health programs with other departments and agencies.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner; prepare clear and concise technical reports, correspondence, and other written material.
• Read, comment, recommend support or oppose, proposed legislation as it relates to public health nursing and community health programs.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Ensure the maintenance and retention of complex records, files, reports and other documents; safeguard protected health information through observance of HIPAA regulations. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training, experience and educational degrees that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Substitutions will be made on a year for year basis. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in nursing; and  

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public health nursing which supports comprehensive community programs, including two (2) years supervisory experience.

Certifications and Licenses:

• A position assigned to this class may require possession of a valid California Driver's License.
• Must possess and maintain a valid license as a Registered Nurse and a valid Public Health Nurse Certificate issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing. 

PHYSICAL DEMAND

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds
• Occasional work in a clinical setting or disaster shelter may require manual dexterity and pushing, pulling or lifting materials and objects over 10 pounds.
• May wear personal protective equipment when working in the clinical setting or in disaster shelters
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. 
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. 
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions 
• Occasional work in a clinical setting or disaster shelter. 
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, fax machine, and standard office equipment.
• Medical equipment when working in a clinical or disaster shelter setting.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Salary : $95,742 - $128,315