Deputy Director of Health

Pascua Yaqui Tribe•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Health provides senior-level operational and administrative leadership in support of the Executive Director, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Health Services Division. This role ensures consistent service delivery, regulatory compliance, and effective coordination across programs and administrative functions. The Deputy Director serves as Acting Executive Director in their absence, maintaining operational continuity and organizational stability. The position supports implementation of strategic priorities, contributes to grant development and funding initiatives, and provides oversight of departmental research activities to promote operational improvement and data-informed decision-making.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH), Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related health field, and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in public health, healthcare administration, or governmental operations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job, such as those listed above.
Experience with P.L. 638 contracting administration.
Experience working in Tribal communities or with Native American public health and/or healthcare systems.
Knowledge of public health, administration, healthcare operations, and tribal government principles.
Understanding of medical billing, third-party payer systems, and healthcare compliance requirements.
Ability to lead diverse teams, manage change, and foster collaboration.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to analyze complex issues, develop solutions, and implement strategic initiatives.
Knowledge of Federal, tribal, and state public health regulations, laws, and reporting requirements.
Knowledge of program planning, performance measurement, and quality improvement methods.
Knowledge of budget management and grant compliance.
Knowledge of strategic planning and systems thinking in public health settings.
Knowledge of health equity, population health, and the social determinants of health.
Knowledge of grant and contract management.
Knowledge of principles of professional practice, leadership, and ethical conduct.
Knowledge of Yaqui culture, customs, resources, and traditions, or willingness to learn.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams effectively.
Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and present information clearly.
Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects with attention to detail.
Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to prepare and review policies, procedures, and public health documents.
Ability to facilitate meetings and engage diverse community groups.
Ability to use standard office software and health information systems proficiently.
Ability to uphold confidentiality and professionalism in sensitive situations.
Strong organizational and leadership skills, with business-oriented thinking.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with good strategic ability.
Public speaking and presentation skills.
Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License.
Must have a current Level 1 Arizona Clearance Card or be able to obtain the Level 1 Arizona Clearance Card within ninety (90) days of hire.

Nice To Haves

PhD in Public Health, Public Health Leadership, Health Promotion, DrPH, or related health field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Health Services Division to ensure effective coordination, continuity of services, and consistent operational performance across programs and administrative functions.
Translates executive leadership direction into operational actions, ensuring priorities are implemented consistently and within established policies and procedures.
Serves as the designated Acting Executive Director of Health in the absence of the Executive Director, exercising delegated authority to maintain operational stability and continuity.
Provides senior-level operational and administrative support to the Executive Director of Health, including follow-through on directives, coordination of internal activities, and operational problem resolution.
Supports leadership in monitoring departmental performance, identifying operational risks, and addressing emerging issues that may affect service delivery or compliance.
Supervises assigned Health Services Division staff; prioritizes and assigns work, conducts performance evaluations, ensures training compliance, and recommends personnel actions consistent with Tribal policy.
Assists supervisors and managers with staffing operations, including onboarding, scheduling, performance management, and adherence to personnel policies.
Promotes a safe, accountable, and culturally respectful work environment across all departmental operations.
Oversees operational budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, and resource allocation to ensure alignment with approved budgets and organizational priorities.
Reviews financial and workload data to identify trends, risks, and operational impacts, and provides recommendations to leadership.
Monitors performance and compliance of contracts, consultants, and vendors.
Ensures departmental compliance with applicable Tribal, federal, and state requirements through monitoring internal controls, documentation, and operational practices.
Ensures that operational reports and responsibilities imposed by funding sources, regulators, and Tribal governance are completed accurately and on time.
Maintains systems and processes that support administrative integrity, accountability, and service consistency.
Provides oversight of departmental research activities and priorities as assigned, ensuring research supports operational improvement, service delivery evaluation, and data-informed decision-making.
Coordinates research activities to ensure compliance with Tribal protocols, ethical standards, and data governance requirements.
Ensures research findings are communicated to leadership for operational insight and quality improvement purposes; does not engage in grant-related research or policy development.
Represents the Health Services Division in internal and external operational meetings and collaborations as delegated, focusing on implementation, coordination, and follow-through.
Supports leadership in responding to internal inquiries, operational concerns, and service issues raised by departments or partners.
Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned by the Executive Director of Health.