Placer County

Health Officer (#19824)

$102.15-$127.57 Hourly / $17,706.00-$22,112.13 Monthly / $212,472.00-$265,345.60 Yearly


DEFINITION

(Unclassified)

To serve as Health Officer per code and statutory requirements; to plan, organize, direct and coordinate public health medical services and public health programs for the County; to provide consultation to citizens, public officials, staff and community organizations and agencies on public health and preventive medicine issues; to coordinate assigned medical activities with departments and the state as necessary; and to provide highly responsible and complex medical and administrative support to the Director of Health and Human Services; to act as a medical and public health consultant to the Board of Supervisors and County Executive Officer.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority having no specified term and no property right to continuous employment and can be released without cause. The Health Officer level recognizes a single position class that assumes responsibility for planning, organizing and directing the public health medical services and public health programs for the County including enforcement of applicable public health laws and regulations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives administrative direction from the Director of Health and Human Services. May exercise direct supervision over management, professional, technical and clerical staff; exercises medical related and technical medical supervision over professional and clinical staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Plan, organize, direct and evaluate the delivery of comprehensive county wide programs to protect and promote public health and mitigate public health hazards.
  • Enforce all statutes, ordinances and regulations related to public health.
  • Consult and provide policy direction regarding communicable disease control, outbreak investigations and emergency preparedness and response.
  • Act as liaison between the Director of Health and Human Services and assigned public health related programs to ensure that the programs have adequate resources to provide both mandated and department-determined levels of service.
  • Participate as assigned by the Director of Health and Human Services in policy development and operational aspects of any service sector within the department that includes a health component.
  • Direct, coordinate and participate in the development and delivery of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and priorities that protect public health and conform with applicable public health standards and accepted clinical practices.
  • Coordinate the activities of public health related programs with divisions, departments and outside agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the Director of Health and Human Services; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
  • As assigned by the Director of health and Human Services, the Health Officer will participate in, review and make recommendations in the budget development and administration of assigned divisions and functions; may administer and monitor the budgets to ensure the accomplishment of objectives within budget limitations.
  • Participate in the selection process, supervise, train and evaluate management, professional, technical and clerical subordinate personnel.
  • Represent the Department of Health and Human Services with regard to public health issues to outside groups and organizations; coordinate public health activities with other public and private agencies.
  • Conduct public health clinics and provide clinical services at County facilities as required.
  • Act as medical expert and county authority on questions from animal services regarding rabies; direct animal services personnel in all rabies situations; communicate with the public and act as spokesperson on rabies.
  • Develop and ensure quality standards relative to the delivery of county health programs are observed and followed.
  • Research, prepare and interpret clinical, technical and administrative reports and studies; prepare written correspondence as necessary.
  • Serve as a member of the California Conference of Local Health Officers (CCLHO).
  • Provide consultation to private medical care providers regarding public health issues.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible experience in public health service delivery, including two years of management responsibility.

Training: Equivalent to a Doctorate of Medicine degree from an accredited college or university that is recognized or approved by the Medical Board of California or Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Master's degree in Public Health is preferred.

Required License or Certificate

  • Board certification in a medical subspecialty such as Preventive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatric or Family Medicine.
  • Possession of a valid license issued by the Medical Board of California or Osteopathic Medical Board of California to practice as a physician and surgeon.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Note:  The physician selected for this position must maintain insurability through the professional liability insurance carrier of Placer County's choice. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of public health, including current trends in policy, research, treatment, prevention, education and related issues.
  • Communicable diseases and principles and practices of communicable disease control.
  • Principles and practices of clinical medicine.
  • Epidemiology and biostatistics.
  • Principles and practices of policy development and implementation.
  • Principles and practices of program development and administration.
  • Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
  • Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
  • Principles and practices of business correspondence and report writing.
  • Pertinent local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, including appropriate enforcement techniques.
  • Principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
  • Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Ability to:

  • Plan, organize, direct and coordinate activities designed to protect and promote public health.
  • Work with county, state, federal, and local government officials in the establishment of coordinated and effective program services to health clients.
  • Present diverse medical and public health issues to both professional and lay audiences.
  • Coordinate and integrate program components in a cohesive and effective service delivery system.
  • Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
  • Analyze, evaluate, plan and implement public health programs and budgets.
  • Supervise, train and evaluate personnel.
  • Interpret and explain appropriate laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
  • Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
  • Speak effectively before large groups;
  • Perform medical diagnosis and treatment.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. 

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:

  • This position serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority having no specific term and no right to continuous employment.

Bargaining Unit:

  • Unclassified Management

CLASS: 19824; EST: 8/24/2013; REV: 7/31/2019;