Rural Preparedness and Response Manager

Massachusetts Department of Public Health; Marlborough (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Department of Public Health in Massachusetts is seeking a Rural Preparedness and Response Manager to lead statewide rural health initiatives, strengthen EMS integration, and advance the Rural Health Transformation Program, improving access to care and emergency response across the Commonwealth.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, manage complex projects, oversee budgets and grants, and build partnerships with providers, municipalities, state agencies, and community partners to

Qualifications

• Five years of full-time or equivalent experience in business/public administration, or clinical management.
• Experience leading public health or EMS transformation initiatives across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of rural healthcare systems and population health strategies.
• Knowledge of grant administration, regulatory compliance, and performance reporting.
• Experience leading projects/meetings with diverse groups and tracking timelines.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with healthcare organizations, municipalities, and government agencies.
• Experience with strategic planning, project management, and large-scale operational initiatives.
• Ability to analyze data, evaluate program performance, and improve outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide rural preparedness and EMS integration initiatives aligned with public health priorities.
• Direct complex, multi-year projects with workplans, milestones, and grant deliverables.
• Develop innovative approaches to strengthen rural EMS and expand access to care.
• Collaborate with providers, municipalities, state agencies, and stakeholders to advance rural health initiatives.
• Lead workgroups and cross-functional teams to maintain momentum and resolve challenges.
• Supervise staff with leadership, coaching, and performance management.

Skills

Program management principles

Public health program leadership

EMS integration

Stakeholder engagement

Grant administration

Policy development

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Graduate degree in a related field

Doctorate degree in a related field

Job description

The Rural Preparedness and Response Manager is an essential leadership role within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), helping advance the Commonwealth's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and its mission to improve healthcare access, strengthen emergency medical services (EMS), and promote healthier rural communities. This position leads complex statewide initiatives that support innovative models of care, enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities, and improve healthcare delivery for residents across rural Massachusetts. Working closely with healthcare providers, municipalities, state agencies, and community partners, the selected candidate will help shape strategies that strengthen the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of rural healthcare systems.

The selected candidate will oversee major program initiatives, guide multidisciplinary teams, and drive collaboration across government and healthcare organizations to deliver measurable improvements in public health and emergency response. This is an outstanding opportunity for a strategic leader who enjoys solving complex challenges, building strong partnerships, and influencing statewide initiatives that improve access to quality care while supporting the health, safety, and resilience of communities throughout the Commonwealth.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• · Lead the strategic planning, implementation, and ongoing management of statewide rural preparedness and EMS integration initiatives that support the Department's public health priorities.
• · Direct complex, multi-year projects by establishing workplans, monitoring milestones, and ensuring successful completion of program objectives and grant deliverables.
• · Develop and implement innovative approaches that strengthen rural emergency medical services, expand access to care, and improve long-term system sustainability.
• · Collaborate with healthcare providers, municipalities, professional organizations, state agencies, and other stakeholders to advance coordinated rural health initiatives.
• · Lead and facilitate workgroups, governance meetings, and cross-functional teams to promote collaboration, resolve challenges, and maintain project momentum.
• · Supervise assigned staff by providing leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development while establishing clear priorities and expectations.
• · Support emergency preparedness and incident response activities, including serving in leadership roles during Department Operations Center activations and emergency events.
• · Monitor program performance, prepare reports, evaluate outcomes, and ensure compliance with grant requirements, regulatory expectations, and Department policies.
• · Manage initiative budgets, spending plans, vendor performance, and fiscal oversight to execute responsible stewardship of public funds and successful project completion.
• · Develop recommendations for policies, operational improvements, and strategic initiatives that enhance rural healthcare access and emergency response capabilities.
• · Promote collaboration across DPH bureaus, EOHHS agencies, healthcare organizations, and external partners to align priorities and improve statewide program coordination.
• · Lead the Department’s rural health-oriented EMS innovation projects under the Rural Health Transformation Program, and be responsible for meeting deliverables and grant requirements and liaising with EOHHS program leads.
• · Represent the Department in meetings, presentations, and stakeholder engagements while communicating program goals, progress, and strategic priorities to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• · Knowledge of program management principles and practices, including planning, organizing, directing, motivating, and decision-making.
• · Demonstrated experience leading complex public health, emergency preparedness, EMS, or healthcare transformation initiatives across multiple stakeholders.
• · Strong understanding of rural healthcare systems, emergency medical services, community paramedicine, and population health strategies.
• · Knowledge of public sector grant administration, program oversight, regulatory compliance, and performance reporting.
• · Experience in leading projects and meetings with a diverse group and tracking established timelines for project completion.
• · Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with healthcare organizations, municipalities, community partners, and government agencies.
• · Experience with strategic planning, project management, and implementation of large-scale operational initiatives.
• · Ability to analyze complex data, evaluate program performance, and develop recommendations that improve outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• · Demonstrated success supervising staff, managing competing priorities, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• · Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, clinical professionals, and community stakeholders.
• · Capacity to make sound decisions during emergency response operations while adapting quickly to evolving priorities and operational needs.
• · Familiarity with healthcare reimbursement models, emergency preparedness planning, healthcare technology, or quality improvement initiatives supporting rural communities.
• · Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and Teams.

DPH Mission and Vision:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.

We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.

Learn more: www.mass.gov/DPH

Learn more: Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

• I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
• II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.
• IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affimative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.