Health Officer - St. Mary's County (Non-Physician)

St Mary's County Government; Leonardtown (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Mary’s County Government seeks a Health Officer to lead the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) as chief health strategist for the county.

The role directs health priorities, advocates for residents, and builds foundational public health capabilities to deliver essential services. The Health Officer works with state agencies, represents SMCHD on committees, and oversees a budget of about $42 million, guiding operations, staff development, and program performance to improve health

Qualifications

• Master's in Public Health with at least 2 years of public health experience.
• Alternate qualification: Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of public health experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead community health assessment, health improvement planning, and policy development using local data and resident input.
• Oversee department operations, budgets, grants, and staff; ensure program performance and quality improvement.
• Represent SMCHD on local, state, and national committees and advocate for public health interests.
• Serve as executive officer and secretary of the County Board of Health and advise county leaders on health policy.
• Communicate health risks, prevention guidance, and actions to residents, healthcare providers, officials, and the media.

Skills

Public health leadership

Policy development

Budget management

Interagency collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Public Health

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Health Officer serves as chief health strategist for St. Mary’s County and directs and manages the nationally accredited St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD). The Health Officer guides countywide priorities for health and wellness, advocates for the public health needs of county residents, and builds the foundational public health capabilities needed to deliver essential services. The Health Officer brings together residents, healthcare providers, schools, government agencies, and community organizations to improve health and wellness across the county.

Maryland’s shared public health system brings together authority and funding from both state and local government to support locally led public health work in St. Mary's County. The Health Officer exercises independent public health judgment within the position's statutory and delegated authority and works with state agencies to align policies and programs where doing so advances the health of county residents. The Health Officer represents SMCHD on local, state, and national committees.

The Health Officer supervises a qualified physician Deputy Health Officer, who provides medical direction and carries out the department’s physician-specific responsibilities.

Please note that although there are two postings for the Health Officer for St. Mary's County (Physician and Non-Physician), only one position is available to be filled.

• Leads community health assessment, health improvement planning, and policy development. Uses local data and resident input to identify health risks and inequities, set priorities, and measure progress. Works with community partners to carry out those priorities and reduce barriers to services.
• Ensures foundational public health services are available through department programs and partnerships. Oversees local public health interventions incommunicable disease control, chronic disease and injury prevention, environmental public health, behavioral health, and maternal, child, and family health. Improves access to clinical care and connections to providers. Leads local behavioral health system management through SMCHD’s role as the county’s local behavioral health authority.
• Directs department operations and administers budgets, grants, and state and local funds. Appoints, supervises, and develops staff. Oversees public health data systems, program performance, and quality improvement. Coordinates programs with local, state, and federal partners.
• Manages SMCHD’s budget of approximately $42 million. The budget combines federal, state, and local funds, including public grants and state and local core funding, with private grants, fees, and payments for health services. Oversees budget planning, spending, grant compliance, and financial reporting across funding sources with different requirements. Ensures purchasing and contracting follow local procurement policy and applicable funding requirements.
• Serves as executive officer and secretary of the County Board of Health and advises county leaders and representatives on public health policy. Represents and advocates for St. Mary’s County’s public health interests in matters involving the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and other state agencies. Carries out statutory and delegated responsibilities, including enforcement of applicable public health and environmental health laws and regulations.
• Monitors disease trends and emerging health threats, directs outbreak investigations and control measures, and leads public health emergency preparedness and response. Advises local healthcare and emergency response partners on public health measures. The physician Deputy Health Officer provides clinical guidance, medical direction, and direct patient care as needed during outbreaks and emergencies.
• Oversees the operations of the department’s clinics, laboratories, and clinical public health programs. The physician Deputy Health Officer provides clinical oversight and consultation, issues patient-specific medical orders, and reviews, approves, and oversees standing medical orders, including applicable orders used by St. Mary’s County Public Schools. The physician Deputy also signs required clinical certifications, provides pediatric and adult clinical coverage as needed, and serves as Medical Director for the agency’s Vaccines for Children program.
• Serves as the department’s principal public spokesperson. Communicates health risks, prevention guidance, and recommended actions to residents, health care providers, elected officials, community partners, and the media.

Qualified candidates must possess a Master's degree in Public Health from an accredited college or university and a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in the field of public health OR possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years of work experience in the field of public health.

Qualified candidates must possess a Master's degree in Public Health from an accredited college or university and a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in the field of public health OR possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five (5) years of work experience in the field of public health.