Deputy Director Public Health

Job Summary

The Deputy Director for the Clark County Public Health Department is an executive level position, reporting to the Clark County Public Health Department Director / Health Officer (Department Director), with responsibility for the administration of the Public Health department. The Deputy Director provides department leadership and administration in concert with the Department Director for all the service units and programs within the department, and manages the department in the absence of, or at the request of, the Department Director.

Our department values our community's diversity and seeks ways to promote equity and inclusion within the organization and with the public. Our department also encourages applications from candidates with knowledge, ability and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities with diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

This is a full-time non-represented exempt position.

This position has the option of a remote / hybrid work schedule possibility. However, the candidate selected must reside in OR or WA. No Exceptions.

Executive Leadership and Direction

• Directly supervises division directors, communication manager, and others as assigned.
• Manages day-to-day operations of the department.
• Serves as acting department head in director's absence.
• Provides leadership, consensus building, and collaboration on a broad range of complex issues with various participants, stakeholders, subordinates, and executive management.
• Supports and promotes the department's racial equity work with the department director and leadership, in alignment with department's strategic plan.
• Supports Public Health Services managers and staff in responding to issues and emergencies, developing and executing solutions, and maintaining reliable and effective operations.
• Promotes implementation of department strategic plan.
• Facilitates weekly Leadership Team tactical meetings and monthly strategic meetings, and quarterly Leadership Team offsite meetings.
• Develops strategies for department's recruitment, retention, and succession planning efforts.
• Develops and monitors administrative controls to identify and mitigate fiscal, legal, strategic, contractual, and personnel risk and liability for the department.
• Participates in the development of department's operating budget, determining long- and short-term budgetary needs, monitoring of expenditures and department performance against the approved budget and general cost-effectiveness standards.
• Represents the department as an executive leader in response to media inquiries as needed.
• Guides internal teams to engage in department-wide high priority initiatives and works collaboratively with senior leaders to identify process improvement opportunities.
• Provides expert guidance to other departments, the public, and / or outside agencies.
• Serves as department's main point of contact for facility issues and needs. Maintains regular communications with the building manager to assure timely response to facility and maintenance issues; represents department on Center for Community Health Tenants Committee and other committees as assigned.
• Serves as department liaison with Human Resources and other county departments. Serves on labor negotiation teams as management representative.

Policy and Quality Management

Department Administration

Qualifications

Education and Experience :

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in business administration, management, public administration, public health, liberal arts or other related discipline, and a minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in administration and related areas including senior leadership roles with demonstrated success in leading organizational change. Demonstrated practices of teamwork, respect, integrity, innovation, and ongoing commitment to personal and professional development. Experience in public health and governmental budgeting and finance. Master's degree in public health or related discipline preferred.

We will consider any combination of relevant work and lived experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills and abilities as qualifying for this position. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Knowledge of.... public health principles, practices, and values; knowledge of governmental finance and budgeting, including financial forecasting, general and fiscal operations, risk management; working knowledge of epidemiology, health planning, health communications, and information technology; public health issues; federal, state, and local regulations, services, and standards pertaining to the governance and requirements of a public health agency; evidence-based and best management practices related to improvement of public health; the social justice underpinnings of public health, the social determinants of health, and racial equity principles in public health practice; conflict resolution, facilitation, team building, mediation, and negotiation; experience with racial equity policy development, implementation, and evaluation; key components of cultural competency; awareness of differences, and skills to work across cultures effectively and appropriately; and structural determinants of racial equity and social determinants of health.

Ability to... provide strong leadership, management, and administration; analyze financial data; interpret and explain financial policies, procedures, laws, and regulations; work effectively in a political environment; express ideas effectively both orally and in writing; use a personal computer and a variety of software to accomplish job functions; represent the needs of various employee groups in department planning and decision-making; prioritize various needs of the department, advance department culture and morale; work effectively with local, state, and federal funding, governing, and regulatory bodies; understand change management principles; work effectively with the public and the media; manage teams, including the ability to motivate, encourage, support, and coach staff to optimum performance; communicate and listen effectively; build supportive and effective relationships with department staff, county leadership, regional / state / tribal leaders and community partners; plan, organize, coordinate, direct, evaluate, and budget; manage governmental and priority-based budgeting processes, and budget preparation, monitoring and evaluation; manage projects; apply information technology and business process improvements; establish, develop, and sustain key working relationships with a variety of local, state, and regional organizations; work collaboratively and effectively with management and workforce teams and in collaborative relationships within the community.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following :

Typically works in a hybrid environment, including virtual and in-office work settings. Work involves management of multiple priorities and can involve face-to-face interactions in stressful or sensitive situations. Physical demands of the essential tasks include use of the telephone and personal computer, participating in and leading meetings and making presentations, writing, driving a county or personal vehicle and traveling to conferences, meetings and seminars.

Salary Grade

M2.206

Salary Range

9,296.00 - $13,015.00- per month

Close Date

Open Until Filled Recruiter

Irene Catherine Chrest

Email :

Irene.Chrest@clark.wa.gov

Equal Opportunity Employer

Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at

Employee Benefits and additional compensation

Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation. Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation. More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at

Retirement Information

All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work. Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice.

For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site here :

If you are in need of ADA / Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388.

Salary : $9,296 - $13,015