Environmental Public Health Division Director

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board•Portland, OR

12d•$135,000 - $155,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Northwest Tribes have long recognized the need to exercise control over the design and development of health care delivery systems in their local communities. To this end, they formed the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (also referred to as NPAIHB or "the Board") in 1972. Guided by a vision of "Health and Wellness for the Seventh Generation," NPAIHB is a 501(c)3 designated (non-profit) organization and Tribal organization, P.L. 93-638, under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) serving the 43 federally recognized Tribes in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (Northwest Tribes). Tribes become voting members of the Board through resolutions passed by their governing body. Each member Tribe designates a delegate to serve on the NPAIHB Board of Directors. Led by our Board of Directors (Tribal Delegates), NPAIHB's mission is to "eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) by supporting Northwest Tribes in their delivery of culturally appropriate, high-quality health programs and services." We have a staff of over 120 professionals dedicated to advancing Tribal health for the 7th generation in the Pacific Northwest. Position Summary The Environmental Public Health Division Director (EPHDD) is a senior leader responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the Environmental Public Health Division (EPH Division) at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB). The EPHDD ensures that the EPH Division works in service to the 43 federally recognized tribes Idaho, Oregon, and Washington by meeting Division goals in alignment with NPAIHB's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, by ensuring operational efficiency and fiscal compliance, and by fostering a positive and productive work environment. The EPHDD serves as leader and central resource for tribal environmental public health technical assistance, training, management, and quality assurance, along with leading the supervision of all NPAIHB's EPH Division programs, projects, and services. Key responsibilities include team leadership, program development and implementation, critical communication, strategic planning, financial management, and performance oversight. The EPHDD reports directly to the Director of Programs and Development and serves as a member of the Management Team. This position is based at NPAIHB's offices in Portland, Oregon; the option of teleworking may be available with approval from the Executive Director. Local travel and/or overnight travel outside of the area is required approximately 25% of the time.

Requirements

Minimum education required: PhD (or other Doctoral degree) in Environmental Public Health, public health, or related field OR Master's degree in environmental public health, public health, or related field AND 15 years or more of experience
Professional licensure/credentialing as Registered Environmental Health Specialist and/or Registered Sanitarian by a state or national licensing board
Ten (10) or more years of experience with executive and project management
At least five (5) years of experience as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist and/or Registered Sanitarian
At least five (5) years of professional experience working with Tribes, Tribal Organizations, or the Indian Health system
Working knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations relating to environmental public health at local, state and federal level, including legislative processes
Proficiency with computer applications (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office Suite programs)
Strong technical writing skills, including good spelling and grammatical skills, and the ability to produce polished writing under a deadline
Excellent research and analysis skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Must be sensitive to cross-cultural differences, and able to work effectively within their context
Ability to work with minimal supervision, exercise initiative, and make independent decisions and recommendations
Ability to make professional oral presentations in settings at the national, regional, and community levels, as well as in Tribal settings
Ability to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner
Ability to travel occasionally (approximately 25% of the time)
External applicants must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period during which time their employment can be terminated at will. For the purpose of evaluating job performance, internal applicants must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period when job duties change significantly.

Nice To Haves

Certification in Infection Control (CIC)
Direct experience working with Northwest Tribes
Experience in the planning, organization, implementation, and follow-up of public health-related coalitions
Experience with disaster and/or emergency management
Experience with ServSafe Training

Responsibilities

Ensures that NPAIHB's Environmental Public Health programs are developed with input and direction from Northwest Tribes
Ensures EPH Division achieves performance deliverables and objectives set forth in contracts with Tribes and funding partners and in the NPAIHB 2025-2030 Strategic Plan
Works with Indian Health Service (IHS), federal, and state agencies to monitor and protect tribal public health systems including built and natural environments
Oversees the EPH Division's planning, implementation, and evaluation of a set of comprehensive tribal environmental public health programs. Programs may include a focus on safe water, solid and hazardous waste management, food protection, pool safety, healthy homes, occupational health and safety, safe childcare environments, vector control, community injury prevention, institutional health, and tribally-based traditional ecological knowledge
Oversees the EPH Division's delivery of direct environmental health services to 27 Northwest Tribes in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington including comprehensive surveys of all Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal facilities including schools, day care centers, gaming facilities, health facilities, and tribal businesses, etc.
Monitors and reports on EPH Division accomplishments, workload trends and needs, and unmet needs
Supports tribes in workforce development in a variety of areas supporting Environmental Public Health.
Serves as a technical advisor to Northwest Tribes, as requested, on environmental health hazard identification, response, and mitigation
Serves as Principal Investigator on research grant proposals, as applicable
Formulates and interprets environmental health policy, data, and systems to enhance health outcomes
Supports tribes in attainment of licensure AAAHC and JCAHO.
Strengthens the field of tribal environmental public health in partnership with Northwest Tribes
Establishes and maintains relationships with federal and state partners and Northwest Tribal Nations
Serves as a Member of the NPAIHB Management Team
Provides organizational leadership, problem-solving, planning, advocacy, teamwork, and critical communications to NPAIHB staff
Creates and maintains a culture of professional excellence, integrity, and rigor
Builds, in partnership with the Management Team, organizational strategies and policies to make efficient use of all human and financial resources, integrate programs services, and uphold the fiduciary responsibility of NPAIHB
Provides updates to the Executive Director and/or Board of Directors and its Committees as requested by the Executive Director or the Director of Programs and Development
Represents the NPAIHB and its Environmental Public Health Division at tribal, state, and national meetings, conferences, events, and workgroups
Assists with special projects as assigned by the Executive Director or designee
Supervises nine Environmental Public Health Division staff
Leads Division-level quality improvement initiatives to strengthen programs and services, maximize performance, and meet the needs and priorities of Member Tribes and NPAIHB Delegates/Board of Directors.
Promotes collaboration and learning between all NPAIHB Division projects, partners, and funding agencies to meet grant and organizational goals and objectives
Evaluates staff performance and ensures that individual employee development plans result in an EPH Division which is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to accomplish their jobs and meet NPAIHB's strategic goals
Ensures that EPH Division staff comply with organizational policies and applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards
Provides direction, consultation, and support to EPH Division staff regarding issues related to the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures, priorities, and/or personnel concerns
Receives, resolves, and reports to Director of Programs and Development any concerns or complaints related to EPH Division services or staff
Ensures quality assurance and quality control over the collection, tracking, and analysis of Tribal data
Upholds the principles of Tribal Data Sovereignty
Ensures human subjects protections and Institutional Review Board (IRB) compliance meets or exceeds standards for clinical-based research, surveillance, and evaluation
Promotes manuscript publication among NPAIHB staff and in collaboration with Northwest Tribes
Works in collaboration Director of Programs and Development and Human Resources on staff hiring and staff disciplinary procedures, as needed.
Oversees all EPH Division budgets
Oversees the EPH Division's preparation and submission of all grant, project or activity reports and/or updates
Drafts and/or reviews project-related external contracts
Oversees submission of EPH Division's articles for publication and external communication
Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Programs and Development and/or Executive Director or designee.