Job Specification Details

Positions in this job series are assigned responsibilities for planning, performing, or supervising public health services. Duties involve program administration, data and policy analysis, goal and priority setting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, technical assistance, health education, and quality assurance and improvement in coordination with other Department, Agency of Human Services and community programs. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level administrator.

The Public Health Program Director I class is distinguished by the complexity of the work assigned and the degree of accountability for program results. Positions in this class will direct a team to perform the administration of public health programs, systems integration, and community partnerships. They will be expected to perform with a high-level of independent judgment and authority to act on behalf of the department.

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.

• Provide leadership for unit or section within a division, including development of yearly workplans and budgets
• Directs and oversees a Public Health Program, including overseeing a team of staff that are working on a public health program. This position will oversee staff that are responsible for duties that include federal, state or special fund programmatic and fiscal management, grant and contract oversight, performance management, and technical assistance
• Oversight of the program’s budget, which:
  • Analyzing fiscal, staffing, and programmatic data to inform and create policy and operational decisions
  • Monitoring and directing staff to ensure efficient and effective fiscal operations
  • Reviewing and approving program budgets
  • Reviewing and approving program expenditures
• Lead multi-sector strategic planning, priority setting, and emerging issues and identify and implement strategies to address emerging public health issues and threats, including the convening of multiple partners across state government and community partners
• Foster development and maintain internal and external collaboration and partnerships to further public health goals; contribute to collaboration and integration of systems across state government and community partners. Including: 
  • Coordinate use of multiple funding sources to promote a comprehensive system of care
  • Subject matter expert on best practice prevention strategies and guidelines
  • Key member or chair of advisory groups, standing and ad hoc committees, as the public health voice to ensure integration of systems
  • Serve as panelist (subject matter expert) on community, state, or national trainings or events
  • Participate in assessment and evaluation of state or community partnerships 
• Ensure program outcomes through data informed decisions, performance management, and continuous quality improvement, including analyzing program and fiscal data to create policy and operational decisions to ensure efficient and effective programs
• Ensure the development of a data and reporting plan and oversee staff in development and publishing
• Contribute to the development of a press release or social media approach; serve as subject matter expert/spokesperson and speak directly with the media
• Provides legislative testimony, including:
  • Prepare content for legislative testimony 
  • Draft legislative reports or oversee team preparation
  • Conduct bill reviews at request of the Policy team
  • Provide legislative testimony and/or meet with legislators in collaboration with the Division Director and the policy team
• Promote public health through the administration of regulatory compliance programming, including: interpreting relevant federal, state, and department regulations, provides program staff direction, directing compliance activities, and directing staff in the implementation and rollout of new or revised federal, state, and departmental regulations
• Participate in emergency readiness and response
• Promote health equity

Duties are performed in both a standard office and field settings. Private means of transportation must be available for required travel. Stress may be anticipated in dealing with emotional situations involving application of programs, especially in dealing with families and in the allocation of program resources.

• Considerable experience supervising and/or leading a team, including performance management, conflict resolution, and HR policies
• Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of public health.
• Advanced knowledge of the specific subject matter of the assigned program.
• Advanced knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures, or the ability to acquire an advanced knowledge within the first 12 months in the job.
• Advanced knowledge of program planning, design and implementation.
• Advanced knowledge of program evaluation procedures, including goal setting, measurement criteria, and analysis of results.
• Advanced knowledge of research principles and procedures.
• Considerable experience preparing budgets, financial transactions, disbursements, receipts and fund transfers requests.
• Ability to carry out assigned duties in a public health emergency response.
• Ability to communicate with clarity and persuasion.
• 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.

Master’s degree in public health, public administration, business administration, environmental science, emergency response, human services, social sciences related fields or health-related fields AND two (2) years of experience in administration or management of a public health or human services program INCLUDING one (1) year of supervisory experience.

OR

Bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, business administration, environmental science, emergency response, human services, social sciences related fields or health-related fields AND three (3) years of experience in administration or management of a public health or human services program INCLUDING one (1) year of supervisory experience.

OR

Two (2) years or more of experience as a Public Health Program Manager I.

OR

One (1) year or more of experience as a Public Health Program Manager II.

Supervisory or management experience.

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 reemployment (RIF) rights.