ASSISTANT DIRECTOR I (DOH)

State of careers Rhode Island•Providence, RI

5d•$115,008 - $133,541•Onsite

About The Position

Within the Department of Health (DOH) program area or unit designated as a smaller-sized organizational component, to have the assigned responsibility for assisting in the overall administration of the planning, development and implementation of operational functions within that area or unit; or to have the assigned responsibility for assisting in the overall administration of a public health program of substantially comparable complexity. The Chief of the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health serves as the State’s designated Director for both the State Office of Primary Care and the State Office of Rural Health and provides strategic leadership for statewide initiatives aimed at strengthening access to care, advancing health equity, and supporting health system transformation. In this capacity, the role often represents the State of Rhode Island in various local, regional, and national forums. This position is responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of complex federal and state-funded programs that support healthcare workforce development, primary care, dental and behavioral health infrastructure, and rural health service delivery. The role includes advanced technical and policy analysis functions, including the assessment and interpretation of federal shortage designations such as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), Medically Underserved Areas and Populations (MUA/Ps), and the development of Rational Service Area (RSA) Plans to inform program design, funding allocation, and strategic investment decisions. The incumbent applies these analytic tools to identify gaps in access, prioritize resources, and support compliance with federal requirements tied to rural health and primary care funding streams. In addition, the position provides leadership in translating data-driven findings into programmatic and policy recommendations that strengthen primary care access and rural health system capacity across the state. The role oversees a diverse portfolio of programs, including workforce incentive initiatives such as the State Loan Repayment Program, training site development, the Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program, and other efforts designed to expand clinical capacity and improve access to care in underserved communities. The Chief provides subject matter expertise in health workforce policy, rural health systems, and safety net provider infrastructure, ensuring alignment with federal requirements and statewide health priorities. The role frequently serves as a liaison and steward of relationships with community-based partners, advisory committees, and state agencies. In addition to programmatic leadership, the position is responsible for the administration and oversight of multiple federal grants and cooperative agreements, including budget management, compliance, reporting, and performance monitoring. The Chief supervises professional staff and fosters cross-departmental collaboration across state agencies, internal RIDOH programs, and external stakeholders, including healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and national partners. This position plays a critical leadership role in advancing Rhode Island’s participation in large-scale initiatives, including the Health Care Systems Planning Cabinet and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and ensures that program design and implementation are coordinated, data-informed, and responsive to the needs of rural and underserved populations. The role requires the exercise of independent judgment in managing competing priorities, navigating complex policy environments, and advising senior leadership on health systems strategy and investment.

Requirements

A thorough knowledge of the operations of the public health program or services area and the ability to utilize this knowledge in promoting effective and efficient programs and services.
A thorough knowledge of trends and best practices in the program or services area and the ability to apply this knowledge to planning, coordinating, administering and evaluating the program.
A working knowledge of the principles and practices employed in the administration of public health care programs and services.
A working knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
The ability to lead, supervise, direct, assign and evaluate the work of subordinates.
The ability to provide leadership and coordination.
The ability to serve as an effective member of a leadership team.
The ability to communicate effectively.
The ability to meet and conform to the requirements of an operational set of performance specifications.
Possession of a Graduate Degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Management, Health Administration, or in the specifically assigned area of organizational or program responsibility.
Employment in a supervisory role for five (5) years or more and the equivalent experience within a public health center or related equivalent experience.
Any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the specifically assigned area of organizational or program responsibility.

Responsibilities

Assisting in the overall administration of the planning, development and implementation of operational functions within that area or unit.
Assisting in the overall administration of a public health program of substantially comparable complexity.
Applying innovative and emerging methods, technologies, and management practices to the operation of the area or program.
Coordinating or conducting analyses of specific public health programs, services, resources and costs and benefits to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.
Assisting in the development of short and long terms goals and objectives, management plans and operating plans and to oversee their implementation and evaluation.
Assisting in achieving fiscal integrity and accountability within the program area or unit.
Assisting in the development of operating and capital budget plans, proposals, and requests, as required for that area or unit.
Periodically consulting and conferring with other state and federal partners and stakeholders to assess and recommend changes in public health programs, services, goals, and objectives as requested.
Coordinating in the conformity with federal, state, and other regulations and requirements and with the overall mission and goals of the department for a smaller sized unit or area of the department.
Encouraging professional and staff development activities within the program or services area.
Providing expert opinion, consultation, and advice, as requested.
Serving as an effective member of the department, agency, and program leadership team.
Coordinating or assisting in coordination of programs and services within the department, other state departments and agencies, municipal, federal, and private agencies and parties, as requested.
Providing effective and informative reports; preparing communications and communicating regularly with departmental and program staff, and with others as requested.
Representing the department in a variety of roles and settings, as requested.
Developing or assisting in developing and maintaining appropriate and adequate informatics and to produce reports as needed.
Meeting and conforming to the requirements of an operational set of performance specifications.
Planning, implementation, and evaluation of complex federal and state-funded programs that support healthcare workforce development, primary care, dental and behavioral health infrastructure, and rural health service delivery.
Advanced technical and policy analysis functions, including the assessment and interpretation of federal shortage designations such as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), Medically Underserved Areas and Populations (MUA/Ps), and the development of Rational Service Area (RSA) Plans to inform program design, funding allocation, and strategic investment decisions.
Translating data-driven findings into programmatic and policy recommendations that strengthen primary care access and rural health system capacity across the state.
Overseeing a diverse portfolio of programs, including workforce incentive initiatives such as the State Loan Repayment Program, training site development, the Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program, and other efforts designed to expand clinical capacity and improve access to care in underserved communities.
Providing subject matter expertise in health workforce policy, rural health systems, and safety net provider infrastructure, ensuring alignment with federal requirements and statewide health priorities.
Serving as a liaison and steward of relationships with community-based partners, advisory committees, and state agencies.
Administration and oversight of multiple federal grants and cooperative agreements, including budget management, compliance, reporting, and performance monitoring.
Supervising professional staff and fostering cross-departmental collaboration across state agencies, internal RIDOH programs, and external stakeholders, including healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and national partners.
Advancing Rhode Island’s participation in large-scale initiatives, including the Health Care Systems Planning Cabinet and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and ensuring that program design and implementation are coordinated, data-informed, and responsive to the needs of rural and underserved populations.
Exercising independent judgment in managing competing priorities, navigating complex policy environments, and advising senior leadership on health systems strategy and investment.