THE OPPORTUNITY

Lake County offers a truly rewarding opportunity for a public health physician who seeks to make tremendous impacts to a rural community, but also enjoys working with a great deal of flexibility. With the ability to office at home, yet be a strong community resource, the next Public Health Officer for Lake County will be met with friendly and collaborative partners. If you want to make real impacts to a community in your career, while enjoying an excellent quality of life, read on …

THE DIVISION

The Public Health Division is part of the Health Services Department. The Health Services Department has a current annual budget of approximately $10.8 million and a staff of 53 (which includes 30 Public Health, 10 Administration, and 13 Environmental Health FTE). The Public Health Division promotes living a healthy, full, productive, and enjoyable life for the residents of Lake County, with a mission to build a healthy community through prevention and public education.

Public Health programs include Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, Immunizations, Vital Statistics, Communicable Disease Prevention and Surveillance, including COVID-19 Response Program, Tobacco Prevention, CalFresh Healthy Living, Safe Rx, California Children’s Services, Child Health, and a Disability Prevention Program. Lake County Public Health has a great team dedicated to serving those most vulnerable in the community. You can find more information about the Public Health Division programs and services at health.co.lake.ca.us.

THE POSITION

The Public Health Officer (PHO) is the face of Public Health in the County and is responsible for public health policy development and community health planning. This is an at-will position appointed by and reporting directly to the Board of Supervisors. The PHO serves as the medical subject matter expert for public health with the Health Services Director, who provides program and administrative oversight. The PHO also works closely with state and federal agencies, professionals and support staff, and other County departments. This position plays a strategic and critical role in collaborating with emergency management agency professionals, community health providers, foundations, committees, community-based organizations, and the community-at-large to set local public health priorities and policy.

This position will be involved in and participate in various committees and collaborations in the community. The PHO provides technical consultation to public officials and other health providers. The position will oversee nine nurses, including the Director of Public Health Nursing, and have support of staff within the public health department to accomplish their mission, goals, and programmatic responsibilities. The PHO directs programs, enforces local health orders and ordinances pertaining to protection of public health, assesses the community health status, provides overall direction and guidance related to public health matters, and advises public health professionals, constituents, county leadership, and the Board of Supervisors on community health issues.

The Public Health Officer supports Emergency Preparedness Programs and the Emergency Management Services Program. In this role, the PHO may also be involved with training exercises, emergency services planning, coordinating with and working with local hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and various emergency management professionals and associated agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following are the minimum qualifications for the position of Public Health Officer:

Education: Graduation from a medical college of good standing and repute, per California Health and Safety Code Section 101005. A graduate degree in public health is desired.

Experience: Three years of full-time experience as a licensed physician, or two years of full-time experience as a licensed physician in a public health agency.

Licensure: Possession of a valid unrestricted Physician’s and Surgeon’s license issued by the California Medical Board, or possession of a valid, unrestricted Doctor of Osteopathy license issued by Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Must be eligible for State Skilled Professional Medical Personnel (SPMP) classification as defined by 42 CFR PART 432.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for the Public Health Officer is up to $265,000, with placement in the range dependent on qualifications. The County offers an excellent executive benefit package including paid vacation beginning at 3 weeks per year, 60 hours of administrative leave per year, 96 hours of sick leave, a $1,000 monthly contribution toward the employee’s choice of medical, dental and vision, life insurance, a voluntary deferred compensation program, and membership in the CalPERS public employee retirement system: Classic - 2% @ 55 or PEPRA - 2% @ 62.

In addition, the position is eligible for a hiring bonus of $10,000, up to $3,500 in relocation expenses and service with Lake County qualifies for the Student Loan Forgiveness Program. Additional details can be found at: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

This recruitment will be handled with strict confidentiality. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. Confidential inquiries are welcomed to Greg Nelson or Bryan Noblett at (916) 550-4100.

Interested candidates may apply below.

This recruitment will close once a sufficiently strong pool of candidates has been established. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.

The County of Lake is an Equal Opportunity Employer.