Assistant/Associate Research Professor

Penn State University•Benner Township, PA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Health Policy and Administration (HPA) in the College of Health and Human Development, at the Pennsylvania State University is seeking candidates for Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH). This role also comes with a faculty position as Assistant or Associate Research Professor. The Director provides leadership and administrative oversight for all PORH activities to ensure fulfillment of federal and state mandates and to advance the mission of improving health and access to care for rural Pennsylvanians. This position reports to the Department Head in the Department of Health Policy and Administration and collaborates with external agencies; additional university units; and other local, state, and national partners. The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH) is one of the leading state offices of rural health in the US and is recognized in the state and nation for rural health leadership and innovation. PORH was formed in 1991 as a partnership between the federal government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and The Pennsylvania State University. The office is one of 50 state offices of rural health (SORH). Funded through the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the office is one of 10 SORHs that is university-based. The SORHs are charged with being a source of coordination, technical assistance, networking, partnership development, and assisting in the recruitment and retention of health care providers. PORH’s mission is to enhance the health status of rural Pennsylvanians and ensure that rural residents have access to high-quality, affordable health care. PORH’s vision is to be recognized as the premier rural leadership and information organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to be one of the most effective state offices of rural health in the nation. PORH provides expertise in rural health, health policy, agricultural health and safety, oral health, and community and economic development. At Penn State, PORH is administratively located in the Department of Health Policy and Administration in the College of Health and Human Development.

Requirements

A minimum of a master’s degree or doctoral degree in a health or business-related field.
Minimum of five years of progressive management experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of health policy issues, legislative and congressional processes, rural health systems, health care delivery, and reimbursement structures.
Experience in developing and submitting national, state, and other grant applications and fulfilling grant requirements.
Experience in budget development and management.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including public speaking.
Proven organizational, leadership, and consensus building abilities.
Ability to facilitate group processes and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Willingness and ability to travel within Pennsylvania and nationally

Responsibilities

Direct and coordinate statewide rural health initiatives, including technical assistance, community needs assessments, information dissemination, and applied research.
Serve as the Principal Investigator/Director of national, state, local, and other grants and contracts.
Identify and pursue external funding opportunities; prepare grant proposals to support program operations and special initiatives.
Provide supervision and leadership for PORH staff, including project management oversight and support for staff development.
Manage the PORH budget, including contract negotiation, project approval, expenditure oversight, and long-term financial planning to ensure program viability.
Represent PORH on university, state, and federal committees, boards, task forces, commissions, and work groups related to rural health.
Collaborate with university departments, other institutions of higher education, state and federal agencies, and state and national partners to support rural health priorities.
Mentor students and interns interested in public health and health care administration; serve as a guest lecturer on topics related to rural health.
Serve as lead on designated projects and ensure compliance with program objectives and reporting requirements.
Support statewide efforts related to primary care practitioner recruitment and retention, rural health partnerships, and information clearinghouse functions.