Polk County Government, county-seat Columbus, North Carolina is presently accepting applications for a full-time Public Health Director / Assistant HHSA Director to work in it’s Health and Human Services Agency. Full-time regular is 37.5 hours per week. Salary commiserate to experience and education.
Polk County Government offers a $1,000.00 sign-on bonus for all full-time and part-time regular new hires.
Ready to Apply?
CHECK OUT THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY – UNDER JOB OPENINGS – www.polknc.org
And / Or,
UNDER JOB OPENINGS – https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/polknc/
Resumes welcome in addition to application.
General Statement of Duties
The Public Health Director and Assistant Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director plans and organizes operations for Polk County’s Public Health Services, Senior Center and acts as Assistant HHSA Director. All duties and responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Health & Human Services Agency Board, associated committees and Polk County Government. As Public Health Director, there are statutory requirements a local health director is required to meet under compliance of GS 130A-40 an GS 130A-41. (Please see Special Requirements Section of this job description.)
Distinguishing Features of the Position
The position is primarily responsible for the coordination and supervision of all population health programs, activities and staff at centers. Incumbents are expected to provide leadership and training to both staff and volunteers, to actively participate in program planning and development and to supervise the day-to-day operations and activities. The position is responsible for monitoring the division’s budget and expenses, as well as monitoring the physical/environmental standards of the facilities. This position requires experience in fundraising, grant experience, and government expenditures/reimbursement. This position reports to the HHSA Director and will be required to submit regular reports and maintain accurate records. This position typically directs or supervises the Public Health Nurse, WIC Supervisor, Senior Services Coordinator, and Environmental Health Supervisor. The position is also responsible for preparedness, community health services, and accreditation.
This position acts as Assistant HHSA Director in coordination and supervision of the operational duties of following HHSA departments – Social Services, Transportation, and Veteran’s Services.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of public health laws pertaining to communicable diseases, immunizations and public health preparedness, epidemiology
- Skill in program planning, implementation and evaluation;
- Knowledge of County ordinances and department policies and procedures;
- Knowledge of principles and practices of population health and senior program planning, development, implementation and administration;
- Knowledge of the needs and problems of the elderly;
- Principles and practices of effective employee supervision, including selection, training, evaluation and discipline;
- Basic budgeting principles;
- Principles, practices and methods of needs assessment and program evaluation;
- Community public health needs and social services resources;
- Rules, regulations and ordinances pertaining to population health programs and facilities.
- Planning, organizing, assigning, reviewing and evaluating the work of assigned staff;
- Motivating and evaluating staff and providing for their training and professional development;
- Implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and internal controls;
- Planning, organizing and implementing multi-faceted population health programs and activities;
- Identifying community population health needs and recommending alternative or enhanced programs;
- Exercising sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines;
- Preparing clear, concise and complete reports and other written correspondence;
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
- Project management experience
Minimum Requirements and Experience
- BS Human Services, Nursing or Public Health, Administration, and (7) seven years of health and human services experience planning and managing programs and staff; or
- MA/MS in administration, nursing, public health discipline, education, healthcare or other closely related field from an accredited institution with (1) one year of health and human services experience planning and managing programs and staff.
- One to three years of health and human services experience planning and managing programs and staff, depending on education level.
- Successful pre-employment drug screen.
- Successful criminal Background check.
Preferred
- Experience in community service work in the human service field, education, public health, or healthcare.
- Experience with direct client coaching/support/counseling.
- Experience working with non-profits and government organizations.
- Working knowledge of Polk County and/or Western North Carolina.
- Grant Experience, development and/or implementation.
Physical Requirements
The ability to perform all duties associated with the position including, but not limited to lifting, prolonged standing, driving, sitting, bending, stooping, and operating or performing work with associated tools and machines.
Special Requirements
G.S. 130A-40
§ 130A‑40. Appointment of local health director.
(a) A local board of health, after consulting with the appropriate county board or boards
of commissioners, shall appoint a local health director. All persons who are appointed to the
position of local health director on or after January 1, 1992, must possess minimum education and experience requirements for that position, as follows:
(1) A medical doctorate; or
(2) A masters degree in Public Health Administration, and at least one year of employment experience in health programs or health services; or
(3) A masters 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 masters degree in public administration, and at least two years of experience in health programs or health services; or
(5) A masters degree in a field related to public health, and at least three years of experience in health programs or health services; or
(6) A bachelors degree in a field related to public health and at least seven years of experience in health programs or health services, which must include at least three years of supervisory experience.
(b) Before appointing a person to the position of local health director under subsection
(a)(5) or (a)(6) of this section, the local board of health shall forward the application and other pertinent materials of such candidate to the State Health Director. If the State Health Director determines that the candidate's degree is in a field not related to public health, the State Health Director shall so notify the local board of health in writing within 15 days of the State Health Director's receipt of the application and materials, and such candidate shall be deemed not to meet the education requirements of subsection (a)(5) or (a)(6) of this section. If the State Health Director fails to act upon the application within 15 days of receipt of the application and materials from the local board of health, the application shall be deemed approved with respect to the education requirements of subsection (a)(5) or (a)(6) of this section, and the local board of health may proceed with appointment process.
(c) The State Health Director shall review requests of educational institutions to
determine whether a particular degree offered by the requesting institution is related to public health for the purposes of subsection (a)(5) or (a)(6) of this section. The State Health Director shall act upon such requests within 90 days of receipt of the request and pertinent materials from the institution, and shall notify the institution of its determination in writing within the 90‑day review period. If the State Health Director determines that an institution's particular degree is not related to public health, the State Health Director shall include the reasons therefore in his or her written determination to the institution.
(d) When a local board of health fails to appoint a local health director within 60 days of
the creation of a vacancy, the State Health Director may appoint a local health director to serve until the local board of health appoints a local health director in accordance with this section. (1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1973, c. 152; c. 476, s. 128; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1034, s. 75; 1991, c. 612, s. 1; 2024‑34, s. 3(a).)
(a) A local health director shall be the administrative head of the local health department, shall perform public health duties prescribed by and under the supervision of the local board of health and the Department and shall be employed full time in the field of public health.
(b) A local health director shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To administer programs as directed by the local board of health;
(2) To enforce the rules of the local board of health;
(3) To investigate the causes of infectious, communicable and other diseases;
(4) To exercise quarantine authority and isolation authority pursuant to G.S. 130A-145;
(5) To disseminate public health information and to promote the benefits of good health;
(6) To advise local officials concerning public health matters;
(7) To enforce the immunization requirements of Part 2 of Article 6 of this Chapter;
(8) To examine and investigate cases of venereal disease pursuant to Parts 3 and 4 of Article 6 of this Chapter;
(9) To examine and investigate cases of tuberculosis pursuant to Part 5 of Article 6 of this Chapter;
(10) To examine, investigate and control rabies pursuant to Part 6 of Article 6 of this Chapter;
(11) To abate public health nuisances and imminent hazards pursuant to G.S. 130A-19 and G.S. 130A-20;
(12) To employ and dismiss employees of the local health department in accordance with Chapter 126 of the General Statutes; [and]
(13) To enter contracts, in accordance with The Local Government Finance Act, G.S. Chapter 159, on behalf of the local health department. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to abrogate the authority of the board of county commissioners.
(c) Authority conferred upon a local health director may be exercised only within the county or counties comprising the local health department. (1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1985, c. 175, s. 2; 1999-110, s. 1.)
Polk County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Polk County recognizes that its continued success in meeting the needs of its citizens requires the full and active participation of talented and committed individuals, regardless of their sex, age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation or gender expression. It is the policy of the County to foster, maintain and promote equal employment opportunity by the use of a consistent recruitment program, and to identify and attract the most qualified applicants for employment with the County. This policy is to be achieved by announcing positions and vacancies, by evaluating all applicants using the same criteria, and by applying testing methods through the local job service office, or other agencies providing job information to the public.
Pay: From $75,308.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
