*DEPUTY HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR
Pay Range GC28

INTRODUCTION

This classification serves as deputy to the Health Administrator, who is the department head for the Department of Health and Social Services.  This position acts as Health Administrator in the absence of the department head and performs executive-level planning, organizing, directing and evaluation of the department’s divisions and programs; serves as liaison between the County and advisory boards as well as the community and State.

EXAMPLES OF PRINCIPLE DUTIES (Duties assigned to this classification include, but are not limited to, the following examples.)

l. Develops, implements, and evaluates programs and services for department operation involving public health, mental health, environmental health, seniors and disabilities services, and departmental-level administrative services.   Assesses the needs of the community and plans for service delivery to meet those needs.

2. Leads division directors and staff in long-range and short-range goal setting for the department.  Develop outcomes and standards for programs with division directors.  Monitor and evaluate to ensure department meets goals and standards.  Create and direct a quality assurance program for the department.   Establish Quality Assurance committee to develop standards and outcome goals and monitor those for the department.

3. Assists the Health Administrator as a liaison to state departments and legislators and other government officials on matters relating to health services, advises the administrator and division directors on services, program standards, contracts and funding; troubleshoots program issues and governing body relations. Executes Local Board of Health responsibilities at the direction of the Health Administrator.  Represent the County in negotiation and coordination with local, state and federal government and with non-profit agencies and foundations on matters related to public health, mental health, environmental health and senior & disabilities services including volunteer program and special needs transportation.

4. Supervises vital records and department reception activities and staff.  Develops performance standards and training for those employees, completes performance evaluations, reviews quality of work of employees and recommends selection and termination of employees.

5. Represents health and social services department in the community and at committee and advisory meetings; advise, assist and participate in committee activities and related special projects; promote department services and interpret policy and procedure to the public.  Responds to, and effectively resolve inquiries, complaints or problems affecting services.

6. Acts as HIPAA compliance officer for the department.  Responsible for the Emergency Services Advisory Committee and ambulance franchises.

7. Acts as Public Information Officer for the department.  Coordinates media campaigns.  Directs and monitors the development of in-house and community newsletters.

8. Advocates for the health and safety of the community through program services development and maintenance.

9. Responsible for establishing and maintaining department and division policies system.  Ensures polices are in compliance with federal, state, and county laws and rules.  Develops consistent policies for all divisions to follow as needed.  Monitors policy review processes.  Leads policy workgroups.  Interprets department policy and procedures for efficient operations to meet short and long term goals.

10. Project manager for special projects as directed.  Directs and monitors negotiations and contract development.  Liaison to county attorney for problem solving contract issues.

11. Supervises and manage department bioterrorism/preparedness program and staff.  Ensures department meets laws, policies, and contracts for federal, state, and county preparedness.  Liaison to county Emergency Manager.  Directs department exercises in conjunction with county, state, and federal exercises.  Develops department only exercises.  Develops program for training and communicating to agencies on bioterrorism and preparedness.  Performs Incident Commander duties as directed by the administrator.

12. Develops risk management program for the department with county risk manager.  Develops policies and procedures to minimize risk and control risk issues for the department.  Responsible for assisting safety committee and ensuring safety issues are resolved.

13. Directs personnel management system for consistency in the department and to ensure county policies are met.  Develop and monitor with division directors a staff development program with minimum training standards for managers and staff.  Arranges for training for staff.  Reviews licensing and certification to ensure professionals are maintaining appropriate licensing.

14. Researches grant opportunities.  Writes grants as requested.  Assists division directors with grants applications.   

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF THIS POSITION

Knowledge of:  Thorough knowledge of policies, techniques, and ethics development and management applied to public health and social service programs, goals, and objectives; thorough knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques of effective administration including public relations, personnel management and fiscal management to development, implement, and evaluate programs; thorough knowledge of federal, state and county rules and regulations that govern public and mental health operations. Ability to: Communicate effectively in both oral and written forms; formulate and implement operational and administrative policies; plan, develop and evaluate funding requirements; prepare and justify budget requests and grant proposals; perform short and long-range financial planning; analyze and evaluate operations and develop and implement corrective action to resolve problems; establish and maintain record keeping systems and reports; make decisions independently in accordance with established policies and procedures, establish new policies when applicable and use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities; supervise, motivate and lead support staff; utilize problem identification and resolution techniques; remain calm and use good judgment during confrontational or high pressure situations; courteously meet and deal effectively with employees, Board of Commissioners, advisory committees, federal and state officials, committees, community groups, media and the public.

Education, experience and training:  Bachelors degree in public health or human service administration; behavioral, social, or health science, or a related field and four years progressively responsible work related experience in human service or health program management OR any satisfactory equivalent combination of progressive responsibility and related experience and training.  Work experience must include two years of management experience; a satisfactory equivalent combination of progressively responsible experience and training that would demonstrate possession of requirements of position will be acceptable.  At time of appointment, must possess a valid Oregon driver's license.

Desirable qualifications: Master’s degree in public health, public administration, management or closely related field and two years direct work-related experience in senior management.   

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS OF THIS POSITION

This classification is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Health and Social Services Department Administrator.

This classification supervises vital records and department reception and bioterrorism/preparedness programs and staff.  This position works closely with Administration Business Services Manager and Division Directors. 

The employee develops, plans and schedules work to accomplish the goals, works independently in administering a complex area of responsibility and confers with supervisor for professional advice.  Discretion is required in applying general goal and policy statements in development of recommendations, policies and procedures and in resolving program problems.  Work is accomplished within a broad framework with authority and responsibility in area of services.  Periodic reviews of work performance are conducted in terms of expected results.

GUIDELINES

Work is performed within established department policy and procedures; federal, state and county statutes, rules, regulations, orders, resolutions and ordinances; management, personnel and financial theories, principles and practices; accepted procedures within the public and health profession; health and human service management and administrative reference materials; personnel rules.  Incumbent remains current on guidelines and utilizes seasoned judgment in interpreting and usage of appropriate guidelines. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Regular and consistent attendance is required.  Work is performed in an office environment; work is generally sedentary and requires hearing voice conversation, keyboarding, sitting, standing and walking.  A reasonable amount of driving is required.