Rural Preparedness and Response Manager

About the role

The Rural Preparedness and Response Manager is an essential leadership role within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), helping advance the Commonwealth's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and its mission to improve healthcare access, strengthen emergency medical services (EMS), and promote healthier rural communities. This position leads complex statewide initiatives that support innovative models of care, enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities, and improve healthcare delivery for residents across rural Massachusetts.

Working closely with healthcare providers, municipalities, state agencies, and community partners, the selected candidate will help shape strategies that strengthen the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of rural healthcare systems. This is an outstanding opportunity for a strategic leader who enjoys solving complex challenges, building strong partnerships, and influencing statewide initiatives that improve access to quality care while supporting the health, safety, and resilience of communities throughout the Commonwealth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning, implementation, and ongoing management of statewide rural preparedness and EMS integration initiatives that support the Department's public health priorities.
• Direct complex, multi-year projects by establishing workplans, monitoring milestones, and ensuring successful completion of program objectives and grant deliverables.
• Develop and implement innovative approaches that strengthen rural emergency medical services, expand access to care, and improve long-term system sustainability.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, municipalities, professional organizations, state agencies, and other stakeholders to advance coordinated rural health initiatives.
• Lead and facilitate workgroups, governance meetings, and cross-functional teams to promote collaboration, resolve challenges, and maintain project momentum.
• Supervise assigned staff by providing leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development while establishing clear priorities and expectations.
• Support emergency preparedness and incident response activities, including serving in leadership roles during Department Operations Center activations and emergency events.
• Monitor program performance, prepare reports, evaluate outcomes, and ensure compliance with grant requirements, regulatory expectations, and Department policies.
• Manage initiative budgets, spending plans, vendor performance, and fiscal oversight to execute responsible stewardship of public funds and successful project completion.
• Develop recommendations for policies, operational improvements, and strategic initiatives that enhance rural healthcare access and emergency response capabilities.
• Promote collaboration across DPH bureaus, EOHHS agencies, healthcare organizations, and external partners to align priorities and improve statewide program coordination.
• Lead the Department’s rural health-oriented EMS innovation projects under the Rural Health Transformation Program, and be responsible for meeting deliverables and grant requirements and liaising with EOHHS program leads.
• Represent the Department in meetings, presentations, and stakeholder engagements while communicating program goals, progress, and strategic priorities to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

• A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience.
• A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of program management principles and practices, including planning, organizing, directing, motivating, and decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex public health, emergency preparedness, EMS, or healthcare transformation initiatives across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of rural healthcare systems, emergency medical services, community paramedicine, and population health strategies.
• Knowledge of public sector grant administration, program oversight, regulatory compliance, and performance reporting.
• Experience in leading projects and meetings with a diverse group and tracking established timelines for project completion.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with healthcare organizations, municipalities, community partners, and government agencies.
• Experience with strategic planning, project management, and implementation of large-scale operational initiatives.
• Ability to analyze complex data, evaluate program performance, and develop recommendations that improve outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Demonstrated success supervising staff, managing competing priorities, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, clinical professionals, and community stakeholders.
• Capacity to make sound decisions during emergency response operations while adapting quickly to evolving priorities and operational needs.
• Familiarity with healthcare reimbursement models, emergency preparedness planning, healthcare technology, or quality improvement initiatives supporting rural communities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams.

Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

About the Department

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.

We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.

Learn more about DPH

Learn more about the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

A tax and background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired. Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.