Director Public Health Program Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Description:

 This position is anticipated to close on September 9, 2026, but applications will be accepted until position is filled and removed from the Delta County jobs website. 

The Public Health Director oversees the planning, development and implementation of public health services, administers and enforces public health laws, orders, rules and standards set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Delta County. The Director assesses and monitors health factors in Delta County, provides oversight, evaluation and program management, is responsible for the Public Health budget, grants and finances, and provides leadership and support for public health improvement activities.

POSITION(S) SUPERVISED:  Administrative Assistant, Financial Coordinator, Emergency Preparedness Response Coordinator, Environmental Health Director, Public Health Nurse Practitioner, Public Health Nurse Manager, WIC Director

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administers and enforces the public health laws of the State of Colorado, the orders, rules and standards of the State department, commissions and/or board of health; and the orders and rules of the Delta County Board of Health.
• Provides or arranges for the provision of quality, core public health services as defined by  the Colorado Board of Health rules (6 CCR 1014-7 and 6 CCR 1014-9).
• Acts as the custodian of all property and records of the department.
• Provides community leadership in formulating goals and programs for the department, establishes and maintains working relationships with community organizations and partners concerned with the delivery of public health services.
• Responsible for supervision and management of staff; plan, direct, supervise and evaluate the performance; interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions; write and conduct performance evaluations; arrange for appropriate training and development; ensure employees comply with applicable occupational health and safety standards, department and organizational policies; compliance with all governing laws; seeks support from human resources department and follows generally accepted human resource laws, policies and protocols.
• Annually estimates the cost of maintaining the local public health department for the ensuing year and submits it to the local board of health for review. Develops and implements departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for all divisions of the department.
• Oversees the preparation and update of short- and long-range strategic plans so as to ensure harmony with the County’s overall plans and strategies and to comply with federal, State, and other associated laws, rules and regulations maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.
• Prepares proposed local orders, rules and regulations for consideration by the local Board of Health.
• Prepares and manages the Public Health budget and strategic plan.  Provides budgeting recommendations and participates in the planning and preparation of the budget for department programs.  Authorizes and monitors expenditures to ensure they are within budget limits and guidelines.
• Works with department employees to develop and write grant requests and project proposals. Seeks alternative sources of funding for program services that align with the Public Health strategic vision.  Responsible for managing, tracking, reporting and meeting all grant funding contractual requirements.
• Completes a community health assessment and creates a county or regional public health plan at least every five years. 
• Advises the local Board of Health on public policy issues necessary to protect public health and the environment.  Meets and collaborates with numerous groups for the purpose of improving the Public Health’s operations.  
• Serves in the statutory role of 'Public Health Director,' administers and enforces compliance with public health laws in the State of Colorado and public health orders, standards, regulations, and rules of the County and State Boards of Health including special commissions (water quality, air quality, hazardous waste); provides consultation and ensures secretarial support to the Board of Health and recommends appropriate action against violators of health codes. C.R.S. 25-1-508
• The primary location of employment for this position is the designated Delta County office with the exception of required duties that are to be performed off site as necessary. The employee is required to perform the majority (generally, at least 95%) of assigned duties from this designated office location to allow for client, customer and coworker access and collaboration, unless prior written approval for an alternative arrangement, such as temporary remote work, has been granted by the employee's direct supervisor and/or department head and maintained in the employee personnel file. 
• Reliable and predictable attendance and punctuality are considered essential functions of this job. Employees are expected to be at their work area and ready to work at the scheduled start time to ensure consistent service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Please note that this is a grant-funded position. Employment is predicated on the continued availability of grant funds. In the event that funding is reduced or discontinued, the duration of the appointment may be adjusted accordingly.

GENERAL JOB DUTIES:

• Oversee preparation, development, submission, and management of annual budget to the Board of Health and the Board of County Commissioners, verifying and documenting expenses, expenditures, and payroll on a monthly basis, and calculate annual indirect cost rate for submission to CDPHE. Complete same for individual grant and program budgets.
• Work closely with Human Resources to implement County personnel policies, administer discipline, hire, terminate, evaluate, and provide supervision for staff.
• Oversee and supervise the payroll, receivables, and payables of a multiple funded organization, closely administering grants, payments, allocations and billings.
• Oversee and supervise the policies, procedures, and priorities in the provision of all department services and programs.
• Fulfill County Health Officer duties as the final authority in issues such as quarantine, closure, mandatory health initiatives, epidemic determinations, and condemnation orders.
• Analyze health needs of the area utilizing demographic and statistical data, perform special studies or surveys as indicated.
• Evaluate health programs to determine if they are effectively and efficiently meeting identified needs, and plan health programs to meet those needs.
• Advise local Board of Health, County Commissioners, and other official and voluntary agencies on issues relevant to public health.
• Direct a public information effort for the local health department, including preparation of media materials and presentation of programs to local civic organizations and the general community.
• Serve on various groups, committees and boards at the local, regional, and state level.
• Maintain working relationships with county, state, and federal agencies, and private sector- administered health programs.
• Prepare Community Service Block Grant application, monthly billings, required financial and progress reports and end of year reports and staff the Advisory Committee.
• Supervise epidemiology investigations as needed.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure delivery of quality client service.
• Prepare, evaluate, and interpret reports assessing department services and client needs.
• Determine work procedures, prepare work schedules, expedite workflow study and standardize procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Demonstrate core competencies within the Incident Command System structure as appropriate to this position’s functional role in a public health emergency response event. (Completion of National Incident Management System 700, ICS-100, ICS-200)
• Responsible for the collection and analysis of statistical data, reports and information.  Research methods include conducting studies and surveys, often in collaboration with other organizations.  
• Oversees the proper handling, access and storage of division data and records.  Ensures that data and records are accessed and secured in compliance with departmental, local, state and federal guidelines.
• Participates in emergency management drills, exercises and preparations.  Acts to protect the public health during natural disasters.  Investigates and controls epidemic diseases, or arranges for such professional services and coordinates with the CDPHE.
• All Delta County employees may be called upon to support emergency response, natural disasters, or other recovery efforts. In the event of a declared disaster or an undeclared emergency requiring immediate support, employees may be temporarily designated as essential service workers and asked to adjust their scheduled work hours (which may include hours outside normal business hours) to accommodate response needs and county business as directed by their Department Head, Elected Official, Board of Public Health, or the Board of County Commissioners.

Requirements:

 POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

According to C.R.S. 25-1-508(5)(c)(l):

The Act directs local boards of health to select a public health director, who meets the following minimum qualifications established in rule (6 CCR 1014-6 ) and listed below: 

Physician Director Candidate:  Licensed to practice in Colorado within six months of hire.  Medical school graduate (MD or DO) & preferably board certified in preventive medicine.  Within the past ten years, have five years of administrative experience in public health or related fields; two years supervising public health professionals.  A candidate with one year of graduate study in a recognized school of public health is preferred.

Non-Physician Director Candidate:  Master’s degree in public health or related discipline (e.g. environmental health, health education, epidemiology, nursing, health administration, biostatistics).  Within the past ten years, have five years of administrative experience in public health or related fields; two years supervising public health professionals.  If a candidate is a nurse, he/she shall have a license to practice in Colorado within six months of hire.

GENERAL BENEFITS:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Selective optional insurances available to the employee and eligible dependents on a cost share basis between employee and the organization
• Life insurance and employee only medical insurance is available at no cost to the employee 
• Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employees contribute 4% of their salary to a 401(a) retirement account fully matched with 4% from the County 
• Optional 457(b) tax advantaged deferred-compensation retirement plan
• Paid time off is accrued at 14 hours per month to start
• 11 paid holidays per calendar year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that includes 6 counseling sessions along with some legal and financial support counseling
• Modified work schedules for positions and employees that qualify
• Additional employee discounts and fringe benefits are available

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

 Physical Requirements:  Walk, stand, sit, type, use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects or tools, reach with hands and arms, talk, listen, hear, read, see, lift

Lifting:  25 pound requirement

Exposure to Elements:  Normal office conditions; travel during inclement weather possible

Handling of Dangerous Equipment: None

Risk of Assault or Injury:  May receive verbal assault from angry citizens; minimal possible exposure to contaminated samples, bio hazardous material, body fluids, latex, alcohol, communicable diseases, germicide, decontamination chemical

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Employees may be required to perform additional duties of a similar and like skill set.  Delta County reserves the right to revise the job description.