Deputy Director of Health & Human Services - Public Health

City of Somerville•Somerville, MA

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Health and Human Services – Public Health (DD-PH) serves as the senior operational and strategic leader for the City’s public health systems. The DD-PH oversees essential public health services, prevention programs, and population health initiatives aimed at improving community well-being and advancing health equity. This role provides high-level leadership across five divisions: Prevention Services; Public Health Nursing; Food Access & Healthy Communities; Community Health Workers; and the Public Health Excellence (PHE) Shared Services Program. The DD-PH strengthens the City’s public health infrastructure by assessing system gaps, leading multi-sector initiatives, developing evidence-based policies and programs, and ensuring compliant, high-quality service delivery. As a core member of the Health and Human Service (HHS) Senior Management Team, the DD-PH partners closely with the HHS Director, Deputy Director of HHS - Human Services, and citywide and regional partners to enhance operational efficiency, align workflows, and build sustainable public health capacity. Essential Functions The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Act on behalf of the HHS Director as needed, including representing the department at internal and external meetings, managing cross-departmental initiatives, and providing on-call Department coverage. In the absence of the Director, the DD-PH may be assigned signing authority for the Department. Lead departmental strategy, goals, and operational priorities, ensuring alignment with municipal objectives, state mandates, and emerging public health needs. Provide senior leadership and subject-matter expertise in public health practice, workforce standards, systems improvement, and policy development, representing the City at regional and state forums. Oversee a $1M+ public health portfolio, including operating budgets, state and federal grants, opioid settlement funds, revolving accounts, and multi-year contracts; ensure compliance, fiscal accountability, and sustainability of billable services (e.g., SNAP enrollment, PHN immunizations, Tobacco Control violations) integrated into existing data and third-party billing systems. Lead procurement, vendor selection, and contract execution for public health programs, technology platforms, and citywide initiatives. Oversee grant performance and sustainability planning, supporting managers and coordinators; monitor state legislation and advocacy efforts affecting reimbursable services for CHWs and PHNs, and leverage partnerships to enhance workforce development, operational efficiency, and revenue sustainability. Direct immunization, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness operations, including planning, training, rapid response, volunteer management, and regional collaboration. Strengthen, expand, and align prevention, chronic disease, and public health initiatives across divisions, city departments, and community partners to maximize efficiency, reduce duplication, integrate evidence-based upstream strategies, and advance equitable community health outcomes. Develop and implement policy and programming in coordination with other City departments and agencies to address key health issues and disparities. Support and liaise with the City’s Inspectional Services Department on quality improvement efforts related to public health. Direct needs assessments, evaluation activities, and quality improvement processes, ensuring programs are data-driven, effective, and aligned with public health goals. Present to the Board of Health, providing program updates, policy recommendations, and data insights as needed. Represent the City on local, regional, and state committees or coalitions, strengthening partnerships, sharing best practices, and advancing public health initiatives. Collaborate with regional and state partners, academic institutions, and community-based organizations to advance best practices and leverage shared resources. Coordinate with the Health Communications Officer to ensure timely, culturally competent, and accessible public health messaging across diverse platforms and audiences. Supervise and mentor staff across multiple divisions, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and trauma-informed culture that promotes professional growth, high-quality service delivery and effective performance management, including facilitating constructive feedback and navigating challenges. Support the department through the public health accreditation process, leading programmatic documentation, evaluation standards, and performance improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing, social work, public health or other related fields.
Deep understanding of local public health systems and 5- 10+ years’ experience in a public health program management and staff supervision.
Experience in emergency management, large -scale immunization efforts, and working with marginalized or priority populations.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with external partners to achieve public health objectives.
Knowledge of applicable public health laws, regulations, and municipal ordinances, with ability to provide guidance and oversight to division directors and staff.
Extensive knowledge of public health program planning, supervision, evaluation, and sustainability practices, including grant-funded and reimbursable services, state-run electronic medical records, digital health data management platforms, and third-party billing integrations.
Knowledge of methods, logistics, and safety precautions related to disease surveillance, control, and public health clinical programming.
Working knowledge of computer hardware and software in support of department operations
Analyze and interpret public health data with an equity lens to inform programs and interventions.
Think strategically about the broader public health landscape and develop upstream primary prevention strategies.
Integrate reimbursable services into operational workflows.
Establish and maintain trusting working relationships with diverse partners.
Provide constructive feedback and navigate challenging conversations with staff.
Plan, coordinate, and execute both large- and small-scale immunization and emergency preparedness efforts.
Clinical expertise, strong interpersonal and leadership skills, and proficiency in data analytics.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
Commitment to high-quality customer service and collaborative team environments.
Flexibility to work beyond normal business hours, including evenings, as needed.

Nice To Haves

Current nursing license preferred.

Responsibilities

Act on behalf of the HHS Director as needed
Lead departmental strategy, goals, and operational priorities
Provide senior leadership and subject-matter expertise in public health practice, workforce standards, systems improvement, and policy development
Oversee a $1M+ public health portfolio
Lead procurement, vendor selection, and contract execution for public health programs, technology platforms, and citywide initiatives
Oversee grant performance and sustainability planning, supporting managers and coordinators
Direct immunization, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness operations
Strengthen, expand, and align prevention, chronic disease, and public health initiatives across divisions, city departments, and community partners
Develop and implement policy and programming in coordination with other City departments and agencies to address key health issues and disparities
Support and liaise with the City’s Inspectional Services Department on quality improvement efforts related to public health
Direct needs assessments, evaluation activities, and quality improvement processes
Present to the Board of Health, providing program updates, policy recommendations, and data insights as needed
Represent the City on local, regional, and state committees or coalitions
Collaborate with regional and state partners, academic institutions, and community-based organizations to advance best practices and leverage shared resources
Coordinate with the Health Communications Officer to ensure timely, culturally competent, and accessible public health messaging across diverse platforms and audiences
Supervise and mentor staff across multiple divisions
Support the department through the public health accreditation process

Benefits

4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions.
Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
Long term disability through Sun Life Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
Annual cancer screening & wellness release
Somerville Retirement Pension System
Tuition reimbursement
MBTA pass program
FREE Blue Bikes membership
Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)