Public Health Section Chief

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a skilled, experienced professional in the field of Environmental Health to become the next Public Health Section Chief for the DPH Environmental Health Section.  

The successful candidate will have experience supervising one or more comprehensive health programs, and will be prepared to manage a full array of environmental health program functions within DPH, including:  Food Protection; Environmental Public Health Tracking; Environmental Health Assessment; Occupational Health; Private Wells; Environmental Laboratory Certification; Environmental Engineering; Lead, Radon, and Healthy Homes; Asbestos.  The Section Chief is responsible for management oversight of 50+ staff engaged in these programs.  

The Public Health Section Chief for Environmental Health ensures the integration and continuity of environmental public health priorities and activities into those of the other sections within DPH, while maintaining good working relationships with outside state and federal environmental agencies and other stakeholder groups who play a role in environmental health in our state.   

The Section Chief is responsible for the establishment of public health priorities for the section and ensuring the execution and evaluation of activities related to those priorities.  The Section Chief also works closely with other state agencies to eliminate redundancy of efforts and to develop and revise regulatory priorities and standards based on the most current available science and standards of practice in environmental health.  

The Section Chief for Environmental Health is responsible for frequent high level communication activities, including testifying at public hearings and court proceedings, defending regulatory actions against individuals or corporate entities, fielding media inquiries related to local, state, and national environmental health news and events, and speaking at public meetings after environmental incidents that may impact health. The Section Chief will report directly to the Branch Chief for Environmental and Drinking Water Division.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sue Ciccaglione at sue.ciccaglione@ct.gov or (860) 509-7183.

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for directing the design, development and implementation of multi-faceted health services programs of an assigned section.

Directs the staff and operations of large, multi-faceted health services programs at the section level; develops, implements, communicates and evaluates section policies, procedures, goals and activities; coordinates, plans and manages section programs and activities; interprets and administers pertinent laws and regulations; determines appropriate staffing levels; determines quality assurance and performance standards for staff; directs the preparation of section budget; obtains state and federal funds to maintain and implement programs; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of section who might impact on policy, program or regulatory activities; develops and recommends changes to statutes and regulations; reviews and evaluates legislative proposals and reports on health issues; directs preparation of statistical studies and required federal reports; provides testimony at legislative hearings, the courts and public hearings; addresses professional and lay groups and prepares articles for publication on public health issues; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of principles and practices of public health with emphasis on public health administration of programs; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to interpret laws, regulations and statistical reporting data; ability to develop health policies.

Three (3) years experience in a supervisory capacity in an organization with programmatic and/or regulatory responsibilities for promoting or protecting public health.

Note: For State employees this is at the level of Health Program Supervisor, Supervising Nurse Consultant, Child Care Licensing Supervisor Epidemiologist 4, Environmental Protection Supervising Environmental Analyst, Supervising Sanitary Engineer or Supervising Environmental Sanitarian.

One (1) year as a Public Health Services Manager may be substituted for the General Experience.

• A college degree in biology, microbiology, chemistry, environmental health, environmental science, occupational health and safety, or a closely related field. 

• Experience working with public and private environmental health organizations at the state and national level, such as the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), the Connecticut Siting Council, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), or other public health departments, university-based environmental health practitioners, faculty and staff, and/or other similar state, federal, and private organizations.

• Experience reviewing legislation, writing testimony in support or opposition to legislative proposals, and testifying in-person at legislative hearings.

• Experience applying knowledge of historical, current, and emerging environmental exposures of concern throughout the state, nationally, and internationally. 

• Experience applying human toxicological principles to the development of health-protective exposure standards and regulatory limits.  

• Experience communicating orally and in writing with agency officials, the media and the general public on matters pertaining to environmental health.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable or infectious diseases.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to undergo and successfully complete security background checks.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Department of Public Health aims to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and advancement, fostering an environment committed to supporting individuals in all protected classes.  If you require an aid/accommodation to participate fully and fairly, please contact the Human Resources Office at (860) 509-7177.