DEPUTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER

Job Specifications

Class Code: PU8 Analyst:  GR/NP/ SC

Date Originated:02/24 Date Updated: 05/26

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, assists the County Public Health Officer to direct, plan, organize, and administer public health services and programs for the County; assists in providing technical consultation to the general public, public officials, staff, and community organizations, and agencies on public health and preventive medicine issues; may act as the Public Health Officer in their absence; and perform other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is distinguished from the Public Health Officer in that the latter reports directly to the Health Services Agency Director and has overall management responsibility for policy direction and administration of the Public Health services and programs.

TYPICAL TASKS

At the direction and in support of the County Public Health Officer, assists in performing assigned duties including:

• Surveil, assess and report on the health status of the community, using multiple epidemiological and statistical methods;
• Monitor public health indicators and develop plans for community health improvements;
• Issue and ensure the enforcement of local and state health orders and other rules and regulations;
• Take measures to prevent and control the spread of disease, including directing the inspection, examination, isolation, quarantine, and decontamination of persons, places and things necessary to protect the public’s health;
• Support Public Information Officers with subject matter expertise, data, and messaging on public health issues, including making media appearances, including speaking with journalists, and doing interviews for radio and television;
• Supervise public health staff as assigned;
• Assist in planning, organizing, and coordinating all-hazard disaster preparedness and emergency response planning;
• May assist in preparing and administering the division budget;
• May perform medical diagnosis and treatment including primary preventive medical care and consultation.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Thorough knowledge of:

• Current principles and practices of medicine, public health (e.g., epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, maternal and child health) and health care management and administration;
• The functions and services of local public health agencies;
• Accepted medical practices concerning the prevention and control of communicable diseases and other common public health programs.

Working Knowledge of:

• The laws and regulations governing local public health programs;
• The interrelationships of services among local public and private and voluntary public health agencies and organizations;
• The advanced public health management practices and organizational principles including program development, implementation, and evaluation in a multi-service agency;
• The principles and techniques of supervision and training;
• Disaster preparedness and the National Incident Management System (NIMS);
• Public Health Laboratory science;
• The impact of racism on the public’s health;
• Principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  
  

Ability to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply provisions of federal, state and local legislation, rules and regulations pertinent to the administration of public health programs;
• Evaluate health risks and hazards and communicate information effectively and proactively;
• Facilitate the interaction of and foster partnerships with public agencies, community-based organizations, and the private sector that impact public health and policy with a focus on health equity;
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of the budget for the agency;
• Lead a diverse labor force;
• Evaluate, monitor, and advise Public Health Division clinicians and staff in job performance standards;
• Evaluate and make recommendations in the improvement of medical/clinical programs in the Health Services Agency and other health care delivery systems;
• Communicate and interface with other administrators and staff throughout the Health Services Agency, County government, the courts, and community agencies and organizations;
• Provide written and oral communication in various forms such as reports, recommendations, and memos;

• Develop policies, procedures, and protocols for specific medical programs.

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

• Completion of a medical residency program, and one year of public health or medical administrative or supervisory experience.
• A Master of Public Health degree and/or completion of a residency in Preventive Medicine is preferred.

Note: Completion of a Preventive Medicine Residency may be substituted for the one year of public health or medical administrative or supervisory experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid Physician and Surgeon's certification issued by the State of California*.
• Possession or eligibility for possession of certification to prescribe issued by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
• Possess and maintain a valid California* Class C Driver's license. 

(*Out of state candidates possessing a Physician and Surgeon’s certification and driver license in their respective state may apply and go through the recruitment and examination process. Candidate must possess California certification and license by the start of employment.)

PREVIOUS TITLE: None

Bargaining Unit: Executive Management - 06

EEOC Job Category: 01

Occupational Grouping: 74

Worker’s Comp Code: 0053