Job Specification Details

The Adolescent and Reproductive Health Program Director is responsible for administering, leading, planning, implementing, and evaluating work related to adolescent and reproductive health for the Division of Maternal and Child Health within the Health Department. The position provides departmental and statewide leadership for core Maternal and Child Health programs and initiatives related to adolescent and reproductive health and works to ensure integration within the department, Agency of Human Services, other state agencies, and in partnership with national, state, and local organizations.  Duties include the integration and coordination of programs to ensure effective and efficient management. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of population-based health services. Advocates for the resources and supports the need to advance the work of the program. Lead or participate in a variety of special studies or projects and/or serve on state-and AHS-level boards, task forces, and committees to ensure that adolescent and reproductive health needs are met in the context of public health and public policy. Duties are carried out under the supervision of the Division Deputy Director, with a considerable degree of latitude for independent judgment, expertise, and leadership. 

All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Provides leadership and coordination for the Maternal and Child Health Division’s Adolescent Health Unit. 

Leads the planning and integration of adolescent health work for the division, builds and maintains partnerships with other divisions and programs, other departments across AHS, and with community partners related to adolescent and reproductive health. 

Supervision of clinical and administrative staff.

Serves as department liaison on numerous committees, task forces, and workgroups. 

Provides leadership for MCH division on internship placements to ensure meaningful learning experiences for future public health professionals.

Serves as state lead for activities related to reproductive health, and on activities related to reproductive health planning. 

Researches and evaluates current and potential prevention strategies; ensures for integration of adolescent health and reproductive health across the division, department and various state agencies and partners. 

Responsible for developing contractual relationships with state and community organizations as needed to achieve program goals and objectives.

Provides legislative testimony and response to media requests as needed.

Responsible for writing, reporting, management and implementation of federal grants.

Responsible for identifying and securing funding to support essential reproductive and adolescent health programming. 

Duties are performed primarily in a standard office setting, but require frequent travel to community sites, for which private means of transportation must be available. Public speaking and attendance at public meetings may be required. Some work outside of normal office hours may be required.

Thorough knowledge of and skill in applying the principles and practices of public administration, particularly as they relate to delivery of essential public health services at both the State and local levels.

Considerable knowledge of the philosophy and principles of public health programs and maternal and child health.

Awareness of cultural, religious, economic and social values and conditions and their effect on the acceptance and use of health and human services.

Familiarity with service delivery systems used in health and human services programs, and in maternal and child health.

Ability to conceptualize, design and implement a program for effective program delivery.

Ability to develop and monitor division and program budgets.

Ability to analyze program operations, identify problem situations, and propose and implement effective solutions.

Ability to plan and direct the work of subordinate staff.

Ability to explain programs and initiatives to a wide variety of audiences in a clear and persuasive manner.

Ability to prepare a wide variety of both regular and special reports.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Considerable knowledge of reproductive and adolescent health and youth development.

Ability to design and implement effective program evaluation; ability to collect and make meaningful use of data from multiple sources for planning and evaluation.

Ability to conceptualize program processes and relationships along a continuum from planning to evaluation.

Capacity to write grants and contract agreements; ability to follow state and federal grant requirements, including reporting deadlines.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both within the department and with external partners.

Ability to engage and maintain connection with medical community and advocacy groups.

Working knowledge of research principles and procedures.

Ability to work independently as well as a member of a management team.

Ability to perform job duties within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Bachelor's degree AND four (4) years or more of professional level experience in administration, planning, or supervision in a public health, health care or human services field.

OR

Master's degree in public health, public administration or a health field AND two (2) years or more of professional level experience in administration, planning, or supervision in a public health, health care or human services field.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.