Health Officer

Chippewahd; Sault Ste. Marie, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Chippewa County Health Department seeks a Health Officer to serve as Chief Administrative Officer, enforcing state laws and local health regulations while guiding public health programs across the county. The role requires strategic leadership, strong communication with medical communities, hospitals, and government units.

The position may require irregular hours and occasional travel in the employee’s own vehicle, with responsibilities spanning policy development, budgeting, and staff

Qualifications

• Masters in Public Health or related graduate degree.
• 5 years of full-time public health administrative experience; or Bachelor’s + 8 years public health experience including administration of programs.
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex issues and advise Board on policies and procedures.
• Plan comprehensive community health services programs with staffing and budget considerations.
• Oversee budgeting, contracts, and grants to support health programs.
• Supervise staff and ensure compliance with codes, laws, and safety procedures.
• Represent the department to public and officials at multiple levels.

Skills

Public health administration

Interpersonal skills

Policy analysis

Education

Master's degree in Public Health or related field

Bachelor's degree with 8+ years public health admin experience

Driver's license

Job description

Position Title: Health Officer

Pay Rate: County Grade 14

Division: Chippewa County Health Department

Union: Non-union/Non-Exempt Position-Full-Time

Reports to: County Administrator/County Commission

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the County Administrator and County Commission, serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Chippewa County Health Department to enforce state laws and local regulations pertaining to public health, as specified under Public Act 368 of 1978. Acts as the administrative officer in conducting required functions, assuming responsibility for all health-related activities within the county, and supervising personnel performing the county public health functions while ensuring adherence to policies and procedures. Frequent interactions are anticipated with the medical community, hospitals, civic organizations, and units of government, which require considerable public relations and may include acting as a principal spokesperson for the Health Department. This position may require irregular hours. It may also require travel by the employee in the employee’s own vehicle.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: Masters Degree in Public Health, Public Health Administration or related graduate degree and 5 years of full-time public health administrative experience; or Bachelor’s Degree and 8 years of full-time public health experience, 5 of which shall have been in the administration of a broad range of public health programs.

Position requires technical knowledge, administrative skills, and mature interpersonal competencies.

Other Requirements: Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Analysis of complex issues, frequently without precedent, and evaluation of trends toreach sound conclusions and recommendations that may have significant impact on thecitizens of the county. Attends meetings as necessary; compiles agenda items for theCounty Administrator and assures all supportive documentation is available; conductsspecial studies/projects and prepares reports as requested by the Board; establishes,coordinates, and assists supervisors; recommends policies and procedures to the Board;follows up on all actions of committees and Board. Keeps the Administrator up to date with flow of information of weekly or biweekly happenings. Confers with Supervisors and Administrator, if needed to resolve operating problems within current practices and policies; revises and develops policy dealing with new or changing circumstances for consideration of the Board; advises supervisors of relevant Board and Committee actions. Represents the Health Department both internally and externally, serving as a central contact point, providing information to citizens, various local, regional, state and federal officials, agencies and organizations.
2. Plans a comprehensive community health services program, identifying program content, staffing needs, budget considerations, range of services to be provided and goals and objectives of services.
3. Negotiates and presents all contracts per policy prior to the Board of Commissioners for final approval.
4. Analyzes and plans for changes in funding and health care reimbursements that will impact the ability to provide services to county residents. Works to inform Health Department personnel and other interested parties of the impact that local, state and federal funding policies will have on program capacity as related to low-income, uninsured and under-insured individuals.
5. Works to influence funding policies of the State of Michigan and assists in the design and implementation of short- and long-range strategic planning for the Health Department.
6. Oversees personnel management functions, directly or through mid-level supervisors, of employment interviewing and selection, ensuring training, assigning functions, scheduling, reviewing, and evaluating performance, and addressing employee relations issues. Supervises, directs and evaluates assigned staff, processes employee concerns and problems, counsels, disciplines and assists with complex or problem situations; provides direction, advice and technical expertise. Coordinates work of all departments to assure efficient operations and avoid duplication of efforts; organizes and prioritizes workload; reviews work assignments; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work; troubleshoots problem situations. Ensures departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations. Ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.
7. Oversees administrative functions of the department including preparing, monitoring, and amending program and bureau budgets. Administers approved budgets and oversees purchasing and accounts payable activities.
8. Oversees the Department’s billing and reporting unit and assuring compliance with uniform billing standards, federal and state statutes and regulations, and for managing the submittal of claims and the Department’s accounts receivable.
9. Responsible for securing funds, directly or through mid-level supervisors, from various granting agencies, including preparation, submission, maintenance and reporting to granting agencies.
10. Prepares or oversees the preparation of all community health services reports, ongoing activity reports, program planning, and evaluation reports, as well as programmatic reports completed for funding sources. Collects and analyzes data for program planning evaluation and to evaluate program effectiveness.
11. Represents the department and establishes relationships with federal, state, and local associations, businesses, and agencies. Represents the department to the public, speaking to community groups, explaining health concern matters and encouraging support for programs.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to but not limited to those in his/her job description.
• Recognizes that positive employee relations are a necessary precedent for positive client relations. Provides assistance when seeing another in need. Contributes to the team effort of providing superior customer service to enhance the image of the Health Department. Refrains from holding negative conversations about duties, assignments, co-workers and clients. Adheres to Health Department telephone courtesy standards for answering, placing and transferring calls, as well as general telephone use. Does not allow personal telephone calls or visitors to interfere with telephone responsibilities, public encounters or customer courtesy to others. Demonstrates an effort to assure that customers/clients wait in definite expectations of when and how they will be served. Professionally addresses others (smile, handshake, eye contact, voice, posture, grammar, grooming and dress). Responsible for promoting and securing potential clients and referrals.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements:

• Walks over uneven terrain and climbs stairs to gain access to work site locations.
• Ability to enter and retrieve information from the computer.
• Prolonged standing during presentations or while at community events
• Lifting—Person will occasionally be required to lift minor objects under 40 lbs of weight.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Works in office setting