Public Health Director

PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a department head position with responsibility for initiating, planning and directing public programs. The Public Health Director has general powers and duties specified in Section 352 of Public Health Law. The Public Health Director is responsible to the Board of Health for the implementation and enforcement of the State and County Sanitary Code and additional public health programs. The Public Health Director is responsible to the County Executive for the implementation of financial, personnel and administrative policies. General supervision is exercised over Medical Examiner program, Medical and Public Health Nursing, Environmental Health, Early Intervention and 3-5 program.

A Public Health Director also does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Plans, organizes and directs local public health programs, including the identification, treatment and impact of disease and disease trends throughout the County;
• Develops policies and procedures for approval by the Board of Health;
• Develops and implements training standards for staff in accordance with State and County rules and regulations;
• Develops and implement policy and procedures manuals for health department activities in accordance with State and local laws and policies;
• Consults with Medical Consultant in the development and implementation of policies with a medical basis;
• Supervises program for the control of communicable diseases through investigation of diseases and the compilation and analysis of appropriation statistics;
• Supervises the conduct of clinics for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and for the Prevention and discovery of HIV infection, tuberculosis and other diseases;
• Defines program goals, strategies and operating policies and procedures;
• Directs the operation of program of licensing and inspecting to insure the sanitary qualify of food served in public eating places;
• Directs a public health program for promotion and supervision of water supply systems and sewage disposal systems, insofar as sanitation is concerned;
• Initiates, implements and coordinates health and health education programs with pubic and private community groups throughout the County;
• Collects and records information related to births, deaths and other statistics necessary or appropriate to the maintenance of a responsive health program throughout the County;
• Coordinates department data collection, evaluation and interpretation for the purpose of preparing budgets, proposing programmatic or personnel changes and developing grant applications;
• Establishes and collects fees from patients, persons or agencies for services rendered to patients, in the institutions, public health centers and clinics operated by the Health Department and for nursing and paramedical services (excluding physician services) rendered to people sick at home;
• Insures fees collected are transferred to the County’s Chief Fiscal Officer at such times and in such manner as required;
• Participates in regional and local professional meetings and conferences to keep abreast of and coordinate health care developments and services;
• Prepares and negotiates contracts for services in accordance with County policy with other agencies for approval as to form by County Attorney, for fiscal impact-budget and County Executive for execution;
• repares and presents public relations materials such as newspaper articles, radio and television announcements;
• Public speaking before groups and organizations regarding the functions and activities of the Health Department.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Comprehensive knowledge of the basic science underlying the principles and practices of medicine as approved to public health practice; comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices and terminology of public health administration; thorough knowledge of principles and practices of the diagnosis and treatment of Communicable diseases; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology and sanitation; good knowledge of current public health programs; good knowledge of local government organization and operations; ability to understand, issue and carry out complex oral and written instructions; ability to plan, direct and evaluate public health programs; ability to deal with the public on projects related to public health; ability to prepare and analyze technical and statistical reports; ability to maintain a high standard of professional ethics; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• (A) (1) Possession of a Master’s Degree in Public Health from a regionally accredited or new York State registered college or university that demonstrates the core competencies of a public health education (Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management and Social and Behavior Sciences or a masters degree in a related field from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university. Related fields include public health nursing, health administration, community health education or environmental health; and two (2) years of administrative experience in a health related organization or government agency that demonstrates that the candidate possess the knowledge and skills necessary to administer public health programs including workforce and budget management, effective communications, effective establishment and implementation of policy or business goals and compliance with legal requirements.
• (B) All appointments to the position of Public Health Director and the appointment and arrangements for the medical consultant are subject to the approval of the State Commissioner of Health.
• (C) Candidates who do not meet the education or experience requirements of this section may be conditionally approved for an appointment of two (2) years by the State Commissioner of Health with an opportunity for two additional one year conditional renewals. Final approval of these candidates shall be contingent on satisfactory progress in meeting a public health education or experience plan developed in conjunction with and approved by the State Commissioner of Health.
• (D) Persons occupying a similar position as of January 1, 1979 with current health department certification shall be considered as meeting the qualifications for this position.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid jury duty
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Public Health

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Troy, NY 12180: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $110,000