Under administrative direction, assists the Chief Deputy Director - Public Health Services by providing overall medical consultation, direction and guidance for Public Health Services; is responsible for the enforcement of local health orders, ordinances and State and federal public health laws and regulations; and performs related or other work as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Public Health Officer is a single position, at-will class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil Service system. This position is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and serves legally as the County Health Officer in accordance with California Health and Safety Code Sections 101000 – 101997. The incumbent receives administrative direction from the Chief Deputy Director - Public Health Services and/or other executive leadership as appropriate. This class administers all medical aspects of Public Health Services, including the supervision of medical professional staff and the provision of medical care.
This class is distinguished from the Chief Deputy Director - Public Health Services in that the latter has overall fiscal, administrative, and operational responsibility for the Public Health Services, whereas the Public Health Officer provides medical consultation and subject matter expertise over Public Health Services. The incumbent assumes a leadership role in countywide emergencies that have public health impacts, and may manage various public health programs as assigned.
TYPICAL DUTIES
This specification is a general guideline for the class. The statements below are not restrictive, and the responsibilities and duties assigned to a position in this class may expand beyond those identified in this specification.
Provides overall medical consultation and guidance for Public Health programs and services; interprets, reviews and approves medical protocols/directives regarding medical and public health issues; is responsible for the enforcement of federal, State and local public health laws.
In cooperation with the Chief Deputy Director - Public Health Services leads, plans and organizes the administrative and medical operations of Public Health Services; provides strategic leadership through communication, demonstration and development of long-range management and public health policy goals, objectives and strategies; assesses local community health indicators and coordinates the implementation of initiatives to improve community health.
Provides consultation to the medical community in public health areas such as general communicable disease, sexually transmitted diseases (STD)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis (TB) control; bioterrorism agents, and maternal, child and adolescent health and chronic diseases; speaks before professional and community groups; advises the public on health hazards and problems; assesses and reports on the health status of the community; recommends new public health programs; and may serve as the county TB Controller and/or STD/HIV Controller.
Assists in planning, organizing and coordinating disaster preparedness response; participates in and responds to after-hours calls for infectious disease outbreaks, urgent communicable disease situations, bioterrorism response, disasters, and other public health emergencies.
May assists public health leadership as appropriate with assigning, training and evaluating the work subordinate staff; selects and participates in the selection of staff, including higher-level managers; provides consultation on appropriate medical-related training of staff as needed.
Advises and consults on the preparation of program budgets; analyzes data; prepares and reviews reports and correspondence; attends meetings and conferences; participates on committees and task forces; in consultation with the Chief Deputy Director - Public Health Services approves documents for distribution to other public agencies and the public.
Serves as Registrar for births and deaths in the County.
Maintains liaison and coordinates the work of Public Health Services with federal, State and local health agencies, County officials, impacted departments, and community organizations; represents Public Health Services in contact with governmental officials, and agencies and community organizations; appears before groups, attends meetings and conferences and participates on task forces and committees; may issue public statements and may meet with news media.
Provides medical oversight to the California Children's Services (CCS) Program and as directed and may serve as the California Children's Services Medical Director.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The following qualifications are required subject to compliance with California Health and Safety Code Sections 100100 - 101997.
Education: Graduate of a medical college of good standing and repute.
License: 1) Possession of an unrestricted physician and surgeon license to practice medicine in the state of California issued by the Medical Board of California, at the time of appointment; AND 2) possession of or ability to maintain a current California driver’s license prior to appointment.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Four years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of medicine in public health or a closely-related field, including responsibility for the management of public health-related programs.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in public health, advanced clinical practice, health care administration, business administration, or public administration.
KNOWLEDGE
Organization, programs and services of local public health agencies; principles, practices and trends of the field of public health; laws, regulations and ordinances applicable to the field of public health; medical and clinical protocols and procedures; principles and practices of administrative planning, organization, and directing; principles and practices of employee supervision and training; principles and practices of research, statistical analysis, record keeping and report preparation; basic computer and modern office automation technology and pertinent software programs; principles of public relations.
ABILITY
Plan, organize, direct and supervise various programs and functions within a public health organization; gather, analyze and organize data; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; supervise, direct and train employees; give oral and written directives; speak before groups; operate basic computer hardware and software; establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of officials, agencies and individuals.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility – sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending; operate a data entry device; Lifting – frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual – constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking – frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Dexterity – normal dexterity with frequent writing and repetitive motion; Emotional/Psychological – constant concentration and public contact; occasional exposure to hazardous materials, frequent exposure to emergency situations, including trauma, grief and death, decision making; Special Requirements – may require working nights and weekends; Environmental – occasional exposure to noise, cold/heat, and hazardous materials, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes and poor ventilation; occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.