Barry-Eaton District Health Department
Health Officer, Full-Time

Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) is seeking a Health Officer.

We are a nationally accredited public health service agency for Barry and Eaton counties. We protect and improve the health of Barry and Eaton counties through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and implementation of effective policies and programs for individuals, families, businesses, and communities. Our vision is a community where everyone has the opportunity to live a long, healthy, and active life.

Michigan law creates the position of Health Officer as the chief administrative officer of the Health Department, charged with the responsibility of acting to protect the public health and prevent disease, and carrying out the legal functions of the Health Department. Under PA 368 of 1978, the Health Officer is a statutory position with significant responsibility, s/he is empowered to act independently, significant statutory and legal authority rests with the Health Officer. The Health Officer is appointed by the District Board of Health, with the appointment requiring approval of the Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. Because the BEDHD is a district health department, the Health Officer must adeptly manage different constituencies in the two counties and balance their perspectives and needs with the public health generally through transparent communication and collaboration with the Board of Health.

The Health Officer must maintain effective relationships with elected and un-elected governmental officials and entities, and with the leaders in the business, labor and medical communities. These relationships are necessary to carry out the legal responsibilities of the Health Officer and the Board of Health to protect and promote public health. These duties are implemented either by the direct provision of services by the local public health and community health operations of the Department, and through the influence of other agencies and individuals in the community.

This position will be based in the BEDHD's Charlotte, MI office, but will be expected to work throughout Barry and Eaton counties as job requirements dictate, including spending significant time at the BEDHD's Hastings, MI office. The Health Officer leads a team of nearly 50 employees and manages a budget of over $7 million, overseeing a wide range of public health programs and initiatives with local, regional, and national scope.

Requirements

• Must meet the qualifications described in Michigan's Public Health Code and be approved by MDHHS.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and interact in a positive and professional manner
• Masters of Public Health and three years full-time public health administrative experience; or
• Related graduate degree and five years full-time public health administrative experience.
• Dynamic leadership, judgment, and risk management skills that enable the individual to competently address largely undefined issues or to find solutions to unyielding problems.
• Experience sufficient to handle decision-making under stressful, changing conditions that could lead to the loss of life or major harm or life impairment.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• Oversee public health initiatives and programs.
• Implement public health policies in accordance with Michigan's Public Health Code
• Ensure compliance with state and federal health laws and regulations
• Collaborate with governmental agencies and community organizations to promote public health
• Respond to public health emergencies and provide steady leadership during crises
• Guide, support, and proactively and compassionately manage health department staff in their roles and responsibilities
• Work cooperatively with the District Board of Health
• Provides senior leadership for health department operations, community health incidents, planning and policy; including holding responsibility for advising and guiding Board of Health decisions related to population health and well-being.
• Leadership in development and execution of community wide policy development, which often requires his/her direct participation in committees, task forces, and participation on other boards of directors.
• Oversees the BEDHD budget and program development and monitoring, contract processing and monitoring, and personnel management processes, including labor contract negotiations. Ensures that quality assessment and assurance tools are in place.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• Sitting, walking, standing, bending over and lifting/holding/carrying objects found in an office environment.
• Ability to communicate and respond to co-worker and customer inquiries both in person and over the phone.
• Ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to handle varied and often high levels of stress.
• This position may require irregular hours and may require travel by the employee in their own vehicle.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds regularly
• May be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, infectious diseases, criminal suspects or prison inmates.
• Occasionally, travel to other sites is required and exposure to unusual elements such as inclement weather, smoke, unpleasant odors, loud noises and extreme temperatures may occur

Barry-Eaton District Health Department is an equal opportunity employer.