Public Health Director

This position is anticipated to close on September 3, 2026, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

About the role

The Public Health Director oversees the planning, development, and implementation of public health services, administers and enforces public health laws, orders, rules, and standards set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Delta County. The Director assesses and monitors health factors in Delta County, provides oversight, evaluation, and program management, is responsible for the Public Health budget, grants, and finances, and provides leadership and support for public health improvement activities.

This is a grant-funded position. Employment is predicated on the continued availability of grant funds. In the event that funding is reduced or discontinued, the duration of the appointment may be adjusted accordingly.

The primary location of employment is the designated Delta County office, with required duties performed off-site as necessary. Reliable and predictable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this job.

Responsibilities

• Administer and enforce public health laws of the State of Colorado, orders, rules, and standards of the State department, commissions, and/or board of health, and the orders and rules of the Delta County Board of Health.
• Provide or arrange for the provision of quality, core public health services as defined by the Colorado Board of Health rules (6 CCR 1014-7 and 6 CCR 1014-9).
• Act as the custodian of all property and records of the department.
• Provide community leadership in formulating goals and programs for the department; establish and maintain working relationships with community organizations and partners concerned with the delivery of public health services.
• Supervise and manage staff, including planning, directing, evaluating performance, interviewing, selecting, recommending transfers, reassignment, termination, and disciplinary actions.
• Annually estimate the cost of maintaining the local public health department and submit it to the local board of health for review.
• Develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for all divisions of the department.
• Oversee the preparation and update of short- and long-range strategic plans to ensure harmony with the County’s overall plans and compliance with federal, State, and other associated laws, rules, and regulations.
• Prepare proposed local orders, rules, and regulations for consideration by the local Board of Health.
• Prepare and manage the Public Health budget and strategic plan; provide budgeting recommendations and participate in the planning and preparation of the budget for department programs.
• Authorize and monitor expenditures to ensure they are within budget limits and guidelines.
• Develop and write grant requests and project proposals; seek alternative sources of funding for program services that align with the Public Health strategic vision.
• Manage, track, report, and meet all grant funding contractual requirements.
• Complete a community health assessment and create a county or regional public health plan at least every five years.
• Advise the local Board of Health on public policy issues necessary to protect public health and the environment.
• Serve in the statutory role of 'Public Health Director,' administer and enforce compliance with public health laws in the State of Colorado and public health orders, standards, regulations, and rules of the County and State Boards of Health.
• Oversee preparation, development, submission, and management of annual budget to the Board of Health and the Board of County Commissioners.
• Work closely with Human Resources to implement County personnel policies, administer discipline, hire, terminate, evaluate, and provide supervision for staff.
• Oversee and supervise the payroll, receivables, and payables of a multiple funded organization, closely administering grants, payments, allocations, and billings.
• Oversee and supervise the policies, procedures, and priorities in the provision of all department services and programs.
• Fulfill County Health Officer duties as the final authority in issues such as quarantine, closure, mandatory health initiatives, epidemic determinations, and condemnation orders.
• Analyze health needs of the area utilizing demographic and statistical data; perform special studies or surveys as indicated.
• Evaluate health programs to determine if they are effectively and efficiently meeting identified needs, and plan health programs to meet those needs.
• Advise local Board of Health, County Commissioners, and other official and voluntary agencies on issues relevant to public health.
• Direct a public information effort for the local health department, including preparation of media materials and presentation of programs to local civic organizations and the general community.
• Serve on various groups, committees, and boards at the local, regional, and state level.
• Maintain working relationships with county, state, and federal agencies, and private sector-administered health programs.
• Prepare Community Service Block Grant application, monthly billings, required financial and progress reports, and end-of-year reports; staff the Advisory Committee.
• Supervise epidemiology investigations as needed.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure delivery of quality client service.
• Prepare, evaluate, and interpret reports assessing department services and client needs.
• Determine work procedures, prepare work schedules, expedite workflow, and study and standardize procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Demonstrate core competencies within the Incident Command System structure as appropriate to this position’s functional role in a public health emergency response event (completion of National Incident Management System 700, ICS-100, ICS-200).
• Responsible for the collection and analysis of statistical data, reports, and information; oversee the proper handling, access, and storage of division data and records.
• Participate in emergency management drills, exercises, and preparations; act to protect the public health during natural disasters.
• Investigate and control epidemic diseases, or arrange for such professional services and coordinate with the CDPHE.
• All Delta County employees may be called upon to support emergency response, natural disasters, or other recovery efforts.

Requirements

According to C.R.S. 25-1-508(5)(c)(l), the Act directs local boards of health to select a public health director who meets the following minimum qualifications established in rule (6 CCR 1014-6):

• Physician Director Candidate:
  • Licensed to practice in Colorado within six months of hire.
  • Medical school graduate (MD or DO) and preferably board certified in preventive medicine.
  • Within the past ten years, have five years of administrative experience in public health or related fields; two years supervising public health professionals.
  • A candidate with one year of graduate study in a recognized school of public health is preferred.
• Non-Physician Director Candidate:
  • Master’s degree in public health or related discipline (e.g., environmental health, health education, epidemiology, nursing, health administration, biostatistics).
  • Within the past ten years, have five years of administrative experience in public health or related fields; two years supervising public health professionals.
  • If a candidate is a nurse, he/she shall have a license to practice in Colorado within six months of hire.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Selective optional insurances available to the employee and eligible dependents on a cost-share basis.
• Life insurance and employee-only medical insurance available at no cost to the employee.
• Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA).
• Employees contribute 4% of their salary to a 401(a) retirement account fully matched with 4% from the County.
• Optional 457(b) tax-advantaged deferred-compensation retirement plan.
• Paid time off accrued at 14 hours per month to start.
• 11 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that includes 6 counseling sessions along with some legal and financial support counseling.
• Modified work schedules for positions and employees that qualify.
• Additional employee discounts and fringe benefits are available.

Physical Requirements

• Walk, stand, sit, type, use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects or tools, reach with hands and arms, talk, listen, hear, read, see, lift.
• Lifting requirement: 25 pounds.
• Exposure to elements: Normal office conditions; travel during inclement weather possible.
• Handling of dangerous equipment: None.
• Risk of assault or injury: May receive verbal assault from angry citizens; minimal possible exposure to contaminated samples, biohazardous material, body fluids, latex, alcohol, communicable diseases, germicide, decontamination chemicals.

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.