Public Health Director

Cattaraugus County situated in Western New York is seeking a qualified individual for appointment to the position of Public Health Director. Responsibilities involve initiating, planning, and directing public health programs in the County. Programs include enforcement of the State Sanitary Code, environmental engineering, laboratory services, home health care, and clinic nursing services. Minimum qualifications are established pursuant to 10 NYCRR Section 11.182 and include possession of a masters degree in public health or a related field (which includes public health nursing, health administration, community health education or environmental health) and two years of administrative experience in a health related organization or government agency that demonstrates that the candidate possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to administer public health programs including workforce and budget management, effective communication, effective establishment and implementation of policy or business goals, and compliance with legal requirements. Final appointment is subject to the approval of the New York State Commissioner of Health.

Interested applicants should submit a completed application accompanied by a cover letter expressing interest and salary requirements to:

Cattaraugus County Human Resources Office
303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755

Applications will be accepted until July 15, 2009, and may be obtained at the above address or downloaded as a MS Word Document or as a PDF.

Cattaraugus County - An Equal Opportunity Employer

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

This is an important professional and administrative position involving responsibility for initiating, planning, and directing public health programs in Cattaraugus County. Programs include enforcement of the State Sanitary Code, environmental engineering, laboratory services, home health care, and clinic nursing services. Supplemental Nutritional Services to women, infants, and children, and early care and educationally related services to handicapped children. The work is carried out under the general direction of the Board of Health, with appropriate medical consultation, in accordance with applicable State and local health laws and ordinances, and within budgetary appropriations of the County Legislature. A Public Health Director does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Oversees the preparation, and submission of municipal health services plans to the New York State Department of Health; Organizes and directs staff toward accomplishments of health program goals and objectives; Monitors efficiency of health programs in sanitation, environmental engineering, toxic waste identification response and reaction, nursing, supplemental nutrition clinic, and Emergency Medical Technical Training; Supervises programs and clinics for the control, treatment, prevention, and discovery of diseases, which may threaten community health; Determines agency staffing needs and makes recommendations to board of health or local legislature; Administers negotiated contracts with recognized employee organizations; Participates in professional conference and training programs and provides for in service training in order for all staff to keep abreast of current developments in medical science, nursing, and other areas of public health; Oversees the preparation of public relations material, and may speak to groups and organizations regarding the functions, activities, and concerns affecting community health; May conduct analysis and research regarding public health.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of the basic sciences underlying, and of the principles and practices applied to public health; thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and terminology of public health administration; good knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology, sanitation, and of the diagnosis and treatment of communicable diseases; ability to plan, direct, and evaluate public health programs; ability to deal with the public on projects related to public health; ability to prepare and analyze technical and statistical reports; interest in maintaining a high standard of professional ethics; physical condition sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A public health director shall possess:
1. a master's degree in public health from a regionally accredited or New York State-registered college or university that demonstrates the core competencies of a public health education (Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, and Social and Behavior Sciences) or a masters degree in a related field from a regionally accredited or New York State-registered college or university. Related fields include public health nursing, health administration, community health education or environmental health: and
2. two (2) years of administrative experience in a health related organization or government agency that demonstrates that the candidate possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to administer public health programs including workforce and budget management, effective communication, effective establishment and implementation of policy or business goals, and compliance with legal requirements.
All appointments to the position of public health director and the appointment and arrangements for the medical consultant are subject to the approval of the State Commissioner of Health.
Candidates who do not meet the education or experience requirements of this section may be conditionally approved for an appointment of two (2) years by the State Commissioner of Health with an opportunity for two (2) additional one (1) year conditional renewals. Final approval of these candidates shall be contingent on satisfactory progress in meeting a public health education or experience plan developed in conjunction with and approved by the State Commissioner of Health

Qualifications pursuant to 10NYCRR Section 11.182