Community Health Services Division Director

Job Description

Public Health – Seattle King County is seeking a Director to lead its Community Health Services Division. With an annual budget of over $100 million and 800 FTEs, Community Health Services assures the provision of clinical health care services in King County, through policy and planning work with partners and the direct provision of clinical services. We are seeking a leader who can set the strategic direction for the Division to help assure that residents of King County have access to quality health service that help prevent the leading causes of poor health, reduce health disparities, and increase the number of healthy years lived.

The Division Director is a leader in the organization and the community in the assurance of quality clinical health care services throughout King County. He or she is responsible for partnerships with Community Health Centers, hospitals and other health care and safety net providers; partnerships with agencies providing social and wrap around services that help improve the health of the population through integrated care management; developing and leading innovative community health programs; and designing and overseeing clinical operations at multiple public health center sites. Community Health Services include parent-child health services, preventive and primary care services, oral health, homeless health care, youth health services, integrated behavioral health services, outreach, family planning, WIC, refugee services, and pharmacy services.

The Division Director will lead the division in achieving a higher quality, more cost-efficient, accessible health system, while being innovative and strategic about future directions, roles, and service delivery models during a time of substantial change and reform in the health care system. Candidates should bring strengths in high-level management, external relations, and oversight of clinical operations.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Master's Degree in a relevant field.
• Progressively responsible public health or community health experience and management of clinical health care delivery.
• Demonstrated skills in overseeing the planning and organizing of complex personnel and budgetary resources to achieve program goals, objectives, quality improvement, productivity, and effectiveness.
• Demonstrated skill and experience in the oversight of clinical operations and culturally competent health improvement strategies for low-income, underserved, and vulnerable population groups.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to effectively manage a large, diverse staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the health care safety net system for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health services administration, including principles and practices of health care financing, health information technology, and program management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of public health principles, functions, and services.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, prepare alternatives, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to translate big picture vision and goals into long and short range plans that are comprehensive, realistic, effective, and meet legal requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and cooperate with individuals and groups having divergent viewpoints and needs.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in critical thinking and solve complex problems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Strong public relations skills.
• Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel to work locations throughout King County with limited or no public transportation in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Strategically position the Community Health Services Division to establish the partnerships, services, and business practices that will enable it to improve the health of the population, enhance the quality of services, and contain costs.
• Build cohesive, dedicated, highly effective teams. Provide the tools, systems, and resources that create a supportive team environment and inspire commitment. Set high standards of performance, pursue aggressive goals, and persist in the face of obstacles. Develop and maintain strong and effective relations with labor.
• Work with chiefs of medical, nursing, and pharmacy services to assure high quality and safe patient care that is driven by evidence and that complies with applicable rules, regulations, and statutes.
• Actively work to eliminate the root causes of inequities by taking into account equity and social justice impacts in Division decision-making and programs.

Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Relations

• Convene and collaborate with partners in the community health system to build systems of care that improve access to quality, affordable, and integrated health care. Participate in the development and implementation of a more accountable and cost-effective health care system for underserved populations.
• Maintain strong liaisons with diverse groups of stakeholders, such as community health centers, health plans, hospitals, local and state government, behavioral health organizations, schools of medicine and nursing, and state and regional primary care associations. Represent Public Health in a range of national, regional, and state organizations, commissions, task forces, and groups.
• Effectively communicate with both internal and external partners, including other Public Health Divisions, other County departments, regional and local governments, elected officials, the media, and residents of King County.
• Communicate honestly, be consistent, follow through on commitments, and create an atmosphere of integrity, marked by fair and respectful behavior.

Management of Division Programs, Operations, and Finances

• Recommend, develop, and implement new and revised policies and programs that respond to strategic goals.
• Oversee the change management process, including successful communication strategies, involving others in the implementation of change, and monitoring and reinforcing process and success. Create an environment that encourages original and innovative solutions.
• Provide leadership to assure effective budget management and adherence to applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and statutes concerning personnel, expenditure of funds, third party billing and reimbursement, program operations, grants management, and professional practice requirements.
• Assure the presentation of clear and complete information to various governance and advisory bodies as a basis for sound, appropriate guidance and decision-making regarding policy, program direction, and strategic priorities.

Who May Apply

This full-time, Career Service Exempt position is open to all qualified applicants. It is FLSA exempt and therefore not overtime eligible.

How to Apply

Neher & Associates has been hired to conduct the recruitment for this position. Please submit your resume and letter of interest to Bob Neher at: robertneher@executivesearchneher.com or fax to 916-443-5949. Mailing address is: Neher & Associates, 299 Westlake Drive, West Sacramento, CA 95605. Electronic submission is preferred. If you have questions about this position, please contact Bob Neher or Lawrence Davenport at 916-443-2421.

Supplemental Information

About the Community Health Services Division

With an annual budget of over $100 million, Community Health Services is the largest Division in Public Health-Seattle & King County and its diverse programs, sites, and workforce serve as an important face of public health to the residents of King County. The Division currently provides a range of community health service programs, including parent-child health services, preventive and primary care services, oral health, homeless health care, youth health services, integrated behavioral health services, outreach, family planning, WIC, refugee services, and pharmacy services. Services are provided both through contractual partnerships and directly at ten public health center sites throughout King County.

Additional Information

The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation.

This selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing and interviewing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/jobs.aspx.

Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.

Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.

If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.