Deputy Director for Health Department - Public Health Operations

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. As a local Department of Health, FCHD promotes population health, protects public health and the environment, and ensures that Fairfax County residents have access to health services and information. The Deputy Director of Public Health Operations is responsible for the daily operations of the department’s core business and fiscal operations, and facilities and equipment management.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and direction for the Divisions of Environmental Health, Laboratory Services, Administrative Operations, and the Office of Information Technology and Informatics.
• Oversee, plan, direct, manage and evaluate all business operations and administration functions, including objectives set for Health and Human Services agencies.
• Develop policy, procedures and best practices for key administrative functions such as budget, finance, contracts, procurement, grant management, human resources, workforce planning, information technology, business process improvement, facilities, safety and risk management.
• Work with the Health Director and senior program staff to implement, monitor and advance the department’s strategic plan and initiatives; facilitate the development and monitoring of departmental performance measures and outcomes; ensure resources are available for strategic priorities.
• Build strategic partnerships to advance health equity; serve as liaison with community groups, other county departments, the Virginia Department of Health, and state and other human services organizations.
• Act on behalf of the Health Director in his/her absence.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of public health practice including environmental health, health services and laboratory services.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration (personnel, budgeting, accounting, management analysis) and ability to apply them in overseeing health department services.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and County laws, regulations, ordinances affecting public health and the environment and ability to interpret and apply them correctly.
• Knowledge of best practices for human service agencies from a federal, state and local perspective.
• Knowledge of strategic planning and project management.
• Ability to analyze data and draw sound conclusions.
• Ability to solve problems and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to develop and implement departmental goals/objectives and agency strategic plan department‑wide.
• Ability to coordinate and implement organizational, personnel, and program changes.
• Ability to effectively manage, train, and motivate employees.
• Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the work of a large staff.
• Ability to develop leadership in others through coaching and mentoring.
• Ability to provide effective leadership and delegate effectively.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, coworkers, County officials, public and private sector organizations, community groups and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in public health or a related field such as health‑care administration, public administration, community development, or business administration, plus seven years of increasingly responsible managerial, administrative and operational experience in a public‑health/community‑health setting involving policy development, service delivery or integrated local‑government operations, including experience with governing boards or advisory boards. Two years of the required experience must include supervision and management of professional staff.

Certificates and Licenses

• Valid driver’s license.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (required within 60 days of hire).
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification (required within 60 days of hire).

Special Requirements

The appointee will be required to complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, credit check, driving‑record check, and sanction screenings to the satisfaction of the employer. This position is classified as emergency/essential services personnel and may be required to report for duty during inclement weather or other emergencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an executive or senior‑level leadership role overseeing complex processes across public‑health disciplines.
• Knowledge and experience leading a business operations team in a public‑health or primary‑health‑care setting.
• Experience and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, Health & Human Services senior management and staff, community leaders and groups, federal, state and local agencies, and the public; exceptional interpersonal skills and effective oral and written communication.
• Experience overseeing, monitoring and evaluating public‑health services and operations.
• Experience managing and overseeing a complex budget with multiple funding or revenue streams.
• Ability to function as a self‑directed and results‑oriented leader.

Physical Requirements

The job is generally sedentary but requires walking, standing, sitting for long periods, kneeling, reaching, bending, and climbing stairs; use of hands to grasp, handle, or feel; visual acuity to read data on a computer monitor; operation of keyboard‑driven equipment and computer; and the ability to drive a motor vehicle. The employee may be required to lift or carry up to 25 lb., occasionally. Work is performed primarily in an office environment, with occasional duties outside the typical office setting. All duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Selection Procedure

Panel interview and may include an exercise.

Additional Information

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with many residents speaking languages other than English at home. Candidates who are bilingual in English and another language are encouraged to apply.