Health Director

Wilson County Government; Wilson (NC); On-site; USD 116,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilson County Health Department seeks an established Health Director to lead the department, overseeing public-health operations, programs, personnel, finances, and partnerships, and to serve as the principal advisor to the Health Board and county leadership.

The successful candidate will combine deep public-health knowledge with strong fiscal management, workforce development, strategic planning, emergency preparedness, and clear, evidence-informed public communication.

Qualifications

• Must meet minimum statutory qualifications for local health director under North Carolina General Statute § 130A-40(a).
• Education and experience pathways include medical doctorate or master's degree options with health programs/health services experience.
• Strong leadership, fiscal management, and communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for the Health Department.

Skills

Leadership experience

Budget management

Emergency preparedness

Intergovernmental relations

Public communication

Education

Master's in Public Health Administration

Master's in public-health discipline

Master's in Public Administration

Bachelor's in public health related field

Medical doctorate

Master's in field related to public health

Job description

WILSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

HEALTH DIRECTOR

Wilson County Health Department

Salary Information

• Salary Grade: 85
• Full Salary Range: $116,172- $196,332
• Expected Hiring Range: $116,172- $156,252
• Application Window: October 6, 2026 through October 18, 2026

Position Summary

Wilson County seeks an accomplished, collaborative public-health executive to serve as its next Health Director. The Health Director provides executive leadership for the Wilson County Health Department; oversees public-health operations, programs, personnel, finances, and partnerships; and serves as the principal public-health advisor to the Health Board, County leadership, and the community.

The successful candidate will combine strong public-health knowledge with demonstrated leadership in fiscal management, workforce development, strategic planning, emergency preparedness, intergovernmental relations, and public communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for the Health Department.
• Advise and work effectively with the Health Board, County Manager, Board of County Commissioners, State agencies, municipalities, health care providers, schools, community organizations, and residents.
• Direct budget development, fiscal monitoring, grants, contracts, program performance, and resource allocation.
• Lead recruitment, retention, development, accountability, and engagement of a multidisciplinary public-health workforce.
• Coordinate public-health preparedness, emergency response, risk communication, and community-health protection activities.
• Build public confidence through clear, timely, evidence-informed communication and responsive community engagement.

Minimum Statutory Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the education-and-experience pathways for appointment as a local health director under North Carolina General Statute § 130A-40(a):

1. A medical doctorate; or
2. A master's degree in Public Health Administration and at least one year of employment experience in health programs or health services; or
3. A master's degree in a public-health discipline other than public health administration and at least three years of employment experience in health programs or health services; or
4. A master's degree in public administration and at least two years of experience in health programs or health services; or
5. A master's degree in a field related to public health and at least three years of experience in health programs or health services; or
6. A bachelor's degree in a field related to public health and at least seven years of experience in health programs or health services, including at least three years of supervisory experience.

Statutory review note. For candidates qualifying under the "field related to public health" master's-degree or bachelor's-degree pathways, the local board of health must submit the candidate's application and supporting materials to the State Health Director before appointment, as provided in N.C.G.S. § 130A-40(b).

Preferred Qualifications

• Substantial progressively responsible leadership experience in local public health, public-sector health services, health care, human services, or a comparably complex organization.
• Demonstrated success in budget development and monitoring, grants management, program administration, contracts, and responsible stewardship of public funds.
• Experience working with a governing board, elected officials, senior government leaders, and diverse external partners.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change, building effective teams, developing staff, and addressing recruitment and retention needs.
• Experience in emergency preparedness, communicable disease response, community-health improvement, and public communication is strongly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is assigned to Salary Grade 85. The full salary range is $116,172- $196,332. The expected hiring range is $116,172- $156,252, depending on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and available funding.

Wilson County employment benefits information can be found by visiting www.wilsoncountync.gov.

Selection Process

• Application screening and qualification review
• Structured virtual interview for selected semifinalists
• Written assignment for finalists
• In-person structured panel interview and mock Board presentation/defense
• Reference checks, background checks, and credential verification, consistent with County policy

The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027. Appointment is subject to the applicable statutory process, including consultation with the appropriate Board of County Commissioners and appointment by the local board of health.

Wilson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.