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Public Health Officer (#ES2202)
$126.49-$153.75 Hourly / $21,925.07-$26,650.06 Monthly / $263,100.87-$319,800.75 Yearly




DEFINITION

Under administrative direction, provides overall medical direction and guidance for Public Health Services; is responsible for the enforcement of local health ordinances and State and federal public health laws and regulations; and performs related or other work as required

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single position class that is exempt from the San Joaquin County Civil Service system and is an at-will position. As described in California Health and Safety Code Sections 101000 – 101300, the incumbent serves as the legally designated County Health Officer, if appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The incumbent administers all medical aspects of Public Health Services, including the supervision of medical professional staff and the provision of medical care. 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 direction and guidance for Public Health Services; plans, directs, organizes, and manages various programs and services; reviews and approves medical protocols; is responsible for the enforcement of federal, State and local public health laws. 
  • In cooperation with the Director of Public Health, develops 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. 
  • Oversees patient care and provides medical supervision to public health care providers including other physicians and mid-level practitioners; provides medical oversight of Public Health Services clinics, including approval of protocols and policies; consults with physicians in the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of communicable diseases; provides direct medical care and services to patients in sexually transmitted disease, tuberculosis, immunization, well-child, and/or other public health clinics as required. 
  • Provides consultation to the medical community in public health areas such as general communicable disease, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis 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. 
  • 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. 
  • Supervises, assigns, trains and evaluates the work of managerial, professional and/or clinical staff; selects and participates in the selection of staff, including higher-level managers; ensures and oversees the appropriate medical-related training of staff. 
  • Advises and consults on the preparation of program budgets; analyzes data; prepares and reviews reports and correspondence; in consultation with the Director of Public Health, 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. 
  • Performs related or other work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
License: Possession of an unrestricted physician and surgeon license to practice medicine in the state of California issued by the State Board of Medical Examiners, at the time of appointment. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: 
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license. 

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. 

Substitutions: Possession of a Master’s Degree in Public Health from an accredited university is highly desirable and may be substituted for one year of the above experience. Board certification in General Preventative Medicine/Public Health is highly desirable and may substitute for two years of the above experience.

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.

CLASS: ES2202; EST: 6/13/1989; REV: 10/22/2013;