Ambulatory Care Chief Operating Officer (COO)

What We Offer

The salary range for this position is $177,096.97 - $247,935.76 annually, depending on qualifications. An employee in this position will also be eligible for the following:

• General Salary Increase: 3.5% effective December 20, 2026, and 3.5% effective December 19, 2027.
• Educational Incentive: Additional cash payment of 2.5% for completing an associate degree, 3.5% for a bachelor's degree, or 5% for a graduate degree each pay period.
• Executive Annual Leave: 248 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service, 328 hours after 10 years of service, and 368 hours after 15 years of service. Credit for prior public service may be considered.
• Annual Leave Redemption: The ability to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours of annual leave within the previous 12 months.
• Holidays: 13 paid days annually, including a scheduled floating holiday.
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions. Eligible employees meeting the criteria will receive a 2% non-elective contribution into their 401(k) account.
• Health Insurance Plans: Medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your dependents. A flexible credit allowance of up to $1,024.11 biweekly, depending on enrollment plan tier.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Reimburse yourself with pre-tax dollars for IRS-approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan: Both you and the County contribute to the County's Retirement Plan. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems, such as CalPERS.
• Additional Benefits: County-paid membership in professional organizations related to the position; Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, and Wellness Program.

The Position

Under general direction of and reporting to the Ambulatory Care Chief Executive Officer, the Ambulatory Care Chief Operating Officer is responsible for leading the administrative operations of the Ventura County Ambulatory Care System which comprises 35 clinics, including 19 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The Chief Operating Officer serves as a trusted strategic partner to executive leadership, providing operational expertise, strategic input, and solutions that support organizational priorities and the effective delivery of ambulatory care services.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned, collaborative executive leader and highly effective communicator who builds strong partnerships and works across teams to break down organizational and system silos. They will bring a system-wide perspective, balancing the needs of individual programs and teams with the broader operational and strategic needs of the organization. The successful candidate will exercise sound judgment, provide meaningful counsel to leadership, and help translate strategic priorities into effective operations. Experience working within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or similar health care delivery environment is highly desirable.

Examples of Duties

• Directs, coordinates, monitors, and reviews the activities and staff of assigned Ambulatory Care departments to ensure effective and efficient clinical and business operations, including the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), hospital-licensed clinics, and special programs.
• Provides oversight for accreditation review and compliance, safety review, grant development, clinic facilities development, special projects, patient safety, quality assurance, and compliance.
• Supervises assigned department managers in the planning, development, and implementation of administrative initiatives, policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Evaluates clinical services and implements changes in Ambulatory Care operations, if necessary. Assists in the development of pro forma financial statements for potential new service lines and/or business lines.
• Assists with the development of Ambulatory Care budget, monitors expenditures against the budget, and audits clinical registration and billing data on an ongoing basis.
• Participates in negotiations and development of professional service contracts for medical clinics and monitors contract performance. Monitors staff and provider performance against established benchmarks.
• Identifies potential problems and generates innovative, creative solutions for Ventura County Ambulatory Care.
• Provides periodic reports on status of Ambulatory Care operations and projects for the Executive Director of the Community Health Center board.
• May represent Ambulatory Care clinics at meetings and conferences with County and other officials; prepares correspondence and reports as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Required: A bachelor's degree in health, business, finance or accounting plus four (4) years of responsible administrative experience in a clinic or health care setting, which includes two (2) years of professional experience in a clinic setting. Up to four (4) years of related experience may be substituted for the Bachelor's Degree.

Necessary Special Requirements: Two (2) years of previous professional staff supervisory experience in a clinic setting. Excellent written communication skills and collaborative abilities must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application.

Highly Desired:

• Previous professional experience working with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
• Previous professional experience supervising managers and organizational leads.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience related to a clinic system.
• Four (4) or more years in an executive or operational leadership role.
• Master's degree in a health care related discipline, business, or public administration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Principles of clinical systems and healthcare administration; data-driven process improvement; principles of business and public administration, including budgeting; principles and techniques of effective supervision and staff utilization; program management including planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting as required by laws, codes and regulations; modern ambulatory care organization, practices, supplies, and equipment; Joint Commission and federal and state regulatory standards regarding healthcare practices in an ambulatory care system; methods and techniques of conflict resolution and negotiation; County, state, and federal legislation applicable to contemporary clinic operations and patient care issues, methods, regulations, and procedures for research; methods and techniques of process improvement such as Lean Six Sigma; and Federally Qualified Health Center compliance standards.

Skilled in: Redesigning systems to improve quality, performance and efficiency; and performance measurement and program evaluation.

Ability to: Plan, organize, coordinate, develop, and direct the quality and performance improvement program for a clinic network; establish and maintain effective relations with managers and staff, and others contacted in the course of work; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the healthcare programs and improve areas requiring attention; analyze organization, administrative and personnel problems, and recommend sound solutions; comprehend, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, and procedures affecting medical or healthcare services; and lead, motivate, and supervise staff.

Recruitment Process

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter highlighting your education and increasingly responsible professional experience, including: administrative and operational leadership experience within a clinical or clinic system, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); supervisory experience, including oversight of managers and organizational leads; and executive leadership experience.

Submit an online application and attachments at hr.venturacounty.gov or email your resume and cover letter to erin.niemi@venturacounty.gov.

All resumes and cover letters will be reviewed weekly beginning September 8, 2026. Following a structured evaluation, the most qualified candidates will be invited to a panel interview. A thorough pre-employment, post-offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record may be required. The successful candidate may be subjected to Live Scan fingerprinting.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Erin Niemi by email at erin.niemi@venturacounty.gov or by telephone at (805) 654-2568.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.