Community Health and Opioid Strategist

Pottawattamie County•Council Bluffs, IA

About The Position

Pottawattamie County Public Health is hiring a Community Health and Opioid Strategist to oversee and coordinate opioid-related activities, community needs assessments, and health improvement plans. Under the general direction of the Administrator, the role manages grants that address identified community needs and aligns community programs and outreach with core public health functions and essential services. The position leads and supervises the Community Health Organizer and Health Educator positions. The Strategist supports operation of the Community Health Division, develops outcome-based community health goals connected to national and state health goals, and uses statistical information and actionable data to guide and assess prevention initiatives. The role coordinates needs assessments, environmental scans, surveys, and health improvement plans; monitors and develops grant opportunities; oversees health promotion grants; and supports training, education, presentations, strategic planning, policy development, and community partnerships. The position also represents Public Health on external committees and uses computer software to collect and analyze data and generate reports. Candidates should have the ability to build effective working relationships, communicate professionally, develop and evaluate public health promotion and prevention programs, coordinate assessments and strategic health plans, and work independently with sound judgment. The position requires knowledge of health policies and public health practice, community assessment and improvement planning, data analysis, and program evaluation. A bachelor’s degree in Public Health or another health-related field with four years of related work experience, or a Master’s degree in Public Health, is required. A Master’s degree is preferred, as is supervisory or management experience; two years of supervisory or management experience is specified. A valid driver’s license is required and must be maintained. Required trainings and certifications must be obtained within six months of employment and maintained as applicable.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or another health-related field and four years of related work experience, or a Master’s degree in Public Health.
Two years of supervisory or management experience.
Valid driver’s license at the time of hire and maintained throughout employment.
Obtain Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 700, and 800 training, FEMA IS-2200, and bloodborne pathogen training within six months of employment.
Obtain CPR, BLS, Iowa HHS Child and Adult Abuse certifications, and Community Outreach and Cultural Competency within six months of employment; certifications must be maintained throughout employment.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, professional working relationships with the public, supervisors, colleagues, contract staff, agencies, organizations, government officials, and County departments.
Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally in English, orally and in writing.
Knowledge of effective public relations methods, principles, practices, and communication.
Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate public health promotion and prevention programs.
Ability to coordinate, develop, and implement community health needs assessments and strategic health plans.
Ability to assess and identify community health issues.
Skills in developing and coordinating outreach programs.
Skilled in or willing to learn the preparation of grant applications.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of departmental and client communications, documents, and correspondence.
Ability to work independently, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and make decisions using independent judgment.
Ability to adjust and demonstrate flexibility to meet scheduling and agency needs.
Ability to interact effectively with diverse populations and differing backgrounds, interests, and points of view, including possible language and cultural barriers.
Ability to lead with tolerance and understanding and respect the abilities and skills of others.
Ability to model professional behavior and represent the department positively and responsibly.
Ability to build, develop, and lead a collaborative, high-performing team.
Ability to handle and process complaints effectively and tactfully.
Ability to enforce codes and ordinances pertaining to the role effectively and tactfully.
Knowledge of and ability to operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer and copier/printer.
Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and local health policies and programs and the laws on which they are based.
General knowledge of public health casework philosophy, methods, and practices.
Thorough knowledge of community assessment and improvement planning, including data collection and analysis using standard methods.
Program evaluation skills and ability to identify, implement, or revise strategies to improve outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist the Administrator in operating and coordinating the Community Health Division.
Lead, supervise, and train the Community Health Organizer and Health Educator positions.
Attend and assist with meetings of the Board of Health and Board of Supervisors as needed.
Coordinate outcome-based community health goals and objectives linked to national and state health goals.
Compile, analyze, and present statistical information about service delivery and historical trends to guide community health improvement activities.
Identify major community health status and health service problems and recommend effective interventions that account for cultural, social, and political considerations.
Coordinate with the Epidemiologist to provide actionable data and clear metrics to Public Health and the community for prevention initiatives.
Oversee, coordinate, develop, and implement needs assessments, environmental scans, surveys, and health improvement plans.
Monitor grant funding opportunities and assist with grant proposals, policies, processes, and work plans.
Oversee and implement appropriate health promotion grants, ensuring fiscal and activity alignment.
Ensure delivery of appropriate training, education, and presentations.
Participate in the agency strategic planning process and facilitate planning as assigned.
Help identify systemic or other barriers to community health, determine their impacts, and shape policy development.
Maintain liaison relationships with community coalition members and other key individuals and agencies.
Represent Public Health on external committees, providing information, guidance, and assistance as needed by the Administrator.
Use computers and related software to collect and analyze assessment, survey, and other data and generate reports.
Apply ethical and legal principles to study design and data collection, dissemination, and use.
Maintain safe and secure use and storage of county equipment and vehicles, and ensure general vehicle preventive maintenance.
Attend national, state, and local conferences and workshops.
Perform other duties as directed or as circumstances require.