Public Health Planner

GOEBEL FIXTURE COMPANY; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 51,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health seeks a skilled professional to lead program planning and policy analysis across community health initiatives. The role focuses on CHNA/CHIP collaboration, data-informed decision making, and cross‑sector engagement to improve health equity across the Lawrence area.

You will work with local partners, contribute to grant writing, and help translate research into actionable public health programs while supporting diverse communities and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, health administration or related field
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in public health or community health improvement process, policy development, or closely aligned areas.
• Master’s degree in public health, public policy, public administration, or related field preferred

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements public health strategies, initiatives, and activities for community health improvement.
• Supports CHNA and CHIP planning and implementation.
• Works in diverse community settings including homes, organizations, schools, and the community.
• Contributes to data-informed strategies aligned with CHIP and community initiatives.
• Assists in work plan development to address goals and improve health priorities.
• Performs data collection, reporting, and monitoring for program improvement.
• Develops educational and promotional materials to support health policies and programs.

Skills

Qualitative analysis

Quantitative analysis

Public health policy

Public speaking

Project management

Data presentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public health or related field

Master’s degree in public health, public policy, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe

Video conferencing

Financial software

Proprietary software

Job description

• Base Pay $24.48 - $30.60 / Hour
• Employee Type Non-Exempt Full Time
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree
• Manage Others No

Contact information

• Email [e-mail]

Description

Essential Job Functions

Program Planning and Implementation

• Develops and implements public health strategies, initiatives, and activities for community health improvement.
• Supports community health planning initiatives, including the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
• Works in a variety of community settings including, but not limited to, homes, community organizations, businesses, schools, and the community in general.
• Develops and implements strategies, initiatives, and activities collaboratively with the organizational colleagues and community.
• Recommends and supports development of data-informed strategies and programs in alignment with evidence-based practices and the CHIP or other community initiatives.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the work plan to address goals, objectives, and strategies for improving health priorities identified by combining researched best-practices with community input.
• Contributes community health planning expertise to the community needs assessment process, health improvement goal setting, identification of public health policy and action options, program development, and creation of monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Performs functions to achieve the agency’s mission in areas of essential public health services and demonstrates foundational skills in the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals, especially in the data analytics and assessment skills, policy development/program planning, health equity, community partnerships, public health sciences, and leadership and systems thinking domains.
• Contribute to collaborative grant writing initiatives as assigned by Director of Community and Environmental Health , which may include research associated with all the essential elements of Public Health

Policy Analysis

• Research, analyze, monitor, and track public policy (including legislation, regulations, and programs) at the local, state, and national levels that relate to health department priorities and provide recommendations for action consistent with a health in all policies approach.
• Recommend opportunities for legislative amendments, regulations, guidelines, and policies/procedures that enhance the vision and mission of LDCPH.
• Lead the department through an annual process of setting an internal policy agenda, conducting research to identify and vet model policy interventions, and support staff in writing proposed policies at the local level.
• Support assessments of policies and programs for their impact on health equity, including through use of the Health Impact Checklist and assist in crafting PSE changes to improve health disparities and inequities.

Community Engagement and Partnership Development

• Builds collaborative relationships with community organizations.
• In collaboration with the community, plans, facilitates, and provides community forums, workshops, presentations, and training.
• Coordinates with community partners to ensure consistent public health messages.
• Assists with development and implementation of community outreach and engagement activities and events that are designed to foster relationships and provide feedback to inform program planning and activities.
• Works with community leaders and members as well as residents, funders, employers, businesses, appointed and elected local officials, and many others with the goal of equitably improving resident health, as measured by benchmarks set by health planning initiatives and other state and local plans and data sources.
• Works cooperatively with the leadership team and other staff, community partners, and state and federal officials.
• Represents Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health at community coalition meetings, committees, and alliances, and contributes to initiatives.
• Engages the community through public presentations, meetings with organizational leaders, residents, and others to promote health in all policies.
• Provides technical assistance for all agencies and community partners.

Data Collection & Reporting

• Gathers, maintains, organizes, and interprets data for program monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and program improvement.
• Performs data entry and retrieval functions utilizing a variety of electronic platforms.
• Assists with writing accurate and timely reports and presentations.

Communications

• Develops educational and promotional material, reports, plans, grant applications, and related communication tools to support health policies and programs.
• Supports submission of abstracts to national conferences and papers to peer reviewed journals, as appropriate.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, health administration or related field required
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in public health or community health improvement process, policy development, or closely aligned areas.
• Master’s degree in public health, public policy, public administration, or related field preferred.
• Coordinating and/or supporting community-based groups or coalitions preferred
• Knowledge of community health assessment principles and effective health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Qualitative and quantitative analytical skill with demonstrated creative visualization and presentation ability.
• Knowledge of public health policy, legislative process, and policy analysis.
• Strong understanding of the importance of equity in the workplace and in public health systems.
• Experience working with community-based organizations. Experience in coalition building, facilitation, and management.
• Comfortable with public speaking and facilitation of collaborative discussion.
• Can effectively convey complex ideas in both written and verbal format, while targeting relevant information to reach multiple constituencies.
• Policy analysis, project management.
• Respect for and ability to respond to diverse and individual needs.
• Work independently and be self-motivated
• Meet deadlines and work under pressure with little or no supervision
• Ability to problem solve with sound judgment
• Creativity, innovation and problem analysis and problem resolution at the functional level
• Computer Skills, including knowledge of software programs utilized (e.g., Microsoft Suite products, Adobe products, video conferencing, financial software, proprietary software, and others- required)
• Knowledge of general office equipment (copier, scanner, fax, etc.)
• Have and maintain a valid driver’s license with reliable transportation
• Ability to respond to emergency situations