County Health Department Director-HLTH, Position Number 64061932

Anticipated Vacancy: December 2024

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is seeking an experienced public health professional to serve as the lead public health official of the Florida Department of Health in Polk and Hardee Counties. This position will lead two of the 67 County Health Departments (CHDs) in the State of Florida. Responsibilities include the direction, supervision, and evaluation of a wide variety of health programs including, but not limited to, environmental health, chronic disease, preparedness and response, family planning, communicable disease, and vital statistics.

The Florida Department of Health is responsible for the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state. As a public health agency, DOH must monitor the health status of Floridians, diagnose, and investigate health problems, and mobilize local communities to address health-related issues.

The DOH develops polices and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services.

The DOH in Polk and Hardee Counties provides services to all residents and visitors and is responsible for assessing, maintaining, and improving the health and safety of the entire community as an essential part of the DOH. This position will be responsible for an annual budget of approximately $45 million and 363 full time staff.

The main office for DOH in Polk County is located in Bartow, Florida and DOH in Hardee County is in Wauchula, Florida. The DOH in Polk and Hardee Counties provides services to families, individuals, and visitors of all ages in the county, including to:

• Prevent epidemics and the spread of disease
• Protect against environmental hazards
• Prevent injuries
• Promote and encourage healthy behaviors
• Respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery efforts
• Assure the quality and accessibility of health services

A wide variety of professional and paraprofessional staff provide services within the above program areas. These include Registered Nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses, Dieticians, Epidemiologists, disease intervention specialists, environmental specialists, and administrative professionals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The preferred candidate should have at least five years senior level executive experience with a passion for public health and prevention. The candidate should have extensive experience in core public health practices and principles, commitment to effective management, leadership, and community engagement. The candidate in this role must demonstrate exceptional leadership, cultural and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications:

Preference will be given to a physician that currently holds, or is eligible for, a Florida Medical license (Chapters 458 or 459, Florida Statutes).

If the applicant is not a qualified physician, a master’s degree is required.

A preferred Director candidate is a physician that currently holds, or is eligible for, a Florida medical license (Chapters 458 or 459, Florida Statutes) and extensive public health experience. The salary range for a Director candidate is $170,000 to $200,000 annually.

A preferred Administrator candidate is a public health professional with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health or other health sciences, or a master’s degree in another field and extensive public health experience. The salary range for an Administrator candidate is $130,000 to $145,000 annually.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Bartow, Florida

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration.

Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety- sensitive positions.