Executive Director - YHD

Yakima Health District•Yakima, WA

11d•$198,000 - $279,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Yakima Health District (YHD) is seeking an Executive Director to provide visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for all district programs, services, and administrative functions. This role involves collaborating with various partners to protect and improve the health of Yakima County residents. The Executive Director is responsible for advancing the mission of YHD through effective leadership in public health practice, organizational management, fiscal stewardship, emergency preparedness, policy development, workforce development, and community engagement. The position requires a visible leadership presence, frequent work outside normal business hours, and 24/7 on-call availability for public health emergencies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree with major study in nursing, environmental health, health education, public health, public administration, or related field.
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public health, healthcare administration, governmental operations, or a related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of executive or senior management experience supervising multiple departments, programs, or divisions.
Experience managing complex budgets, grants, contracts, and organizational operations required.
Must be able to obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license within thirty (30) days of employment and possess auto insurance, or to be able to demonstrate the ability to travel throughout the county.
Must have or obtain immunity to Hepatitis B disease within the first nine (9) months of employment.
Must prove or obtain immunity to Measles and Rubella, Tdap, Varicella diseases within the ninety (90) days of employment.
Must provide documentation of the results of Tuberculosis skin test administered in the previous ninety (90) days or be tested.
In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Environmental Health, Business Administration, or a closely related field is preferred.
Experience working with governing boards, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders preferred.
Local public health experience and knowledge of Washington State public health systems strongly preferred.
Extensive knowledge of public health principles, practices, laws, and regulatory requirements.
Strong executive leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning abilities.
Knowledge of governmental budgeting, fiscal management, grants administration, and public sector operations.
Ability to analyze complex issues and develop effective operational and policy solutions.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and public speaking skills.
Ability to build collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders and community groups.
Demonstrated ability to lead during emergencies and high-pressure situations.
Strong personnel management, coaching, and leadership development skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
Membership in American Public Health Association or other professional health/environmental service societies is desirable.
Incident Command System (ICS/NIMS) training preferred or required within established timeframe.

Responsibilities

Announce, advertise, prepare agendas, and publicize meetings of the Board of Health.
Record minutes of all meetings of the Board.
Act as custodian of all records, books, and papers belonging to the Board.
Carry on usual correspondence of the Board.
Keep a roster of Board members noting their contact information and attendance.
Make reports concerning personnel and changes therein.
Prepare and present monthly payments of accounts, vouchers, and payroll to the Chair of the Board of Health.
Adopt contracting, hiring, purchasing, and disbursing policies that implement effective internal control.
Prepare and present an annual budget with breakdown of expenses and revenue for the forthcoming year.
Perform other duties as directed by the Board.
Provide overall executive leadership and direction for all Yakima Health District operations, programs, and personnel.
Implement the vision, mission, strategic priorities, and policies established by the Board of Health.
Lead the development and implementation of strategic plans, organizational goals, and performance objectives.
Advise and support the Board of Health on public health policy, regulatory matters, emerging issues, and operational priorities.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Ensure alignment of departmental operations with local, state, and federal public health laws, regulations, and standards.
Represent the district at local, regional, state, and national meetings, committees, and public health initiatives.
Direct and oversee all public health services and programs, including communicable disease control, environmental health, emergency preparedness, health promotion, community health improvement, and related public health initiatives.
Ensure compliance with Washington State Department of Health requirements, federal grant requirements, and applicable public health accreditation standards.
Monitor and evaluate community health trends, public health risks, and operational performance indicators.
Coordinate public health response activities during emergencies, outbreaks, disasters, and other incidents impacting community health and safety.
Promote evidence-based public health practices and health equity initiatives throughout the organization.
Direct the development, implementation, and administration of the district’s annual operating budget.
Ensure sound fiscal management practices and responsible stewardship of public funds.
Oversee financial planning, revenue forecasting, grant funding, procurement activities, and contractual agreements.
Work collaboratively with finance staff to maintain compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), state regulations, grant requirements, and auditing standards.
Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support organizational sustainability and strategic initiatives.
Present financial reports, budget recommendations, and fiscal analyses to the Board of Health and other stakeholders.
Provide executive oversight for all grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and funding opportunities administered by the district.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local grant and contract requirements, reporting obligations, and performance measures.
Oversee contract negotiations, vendor relationships, interagency agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
Develop systems to monitor grant deliverables, expenditures, timelines, and program outcomes.
Support the expansion of external funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
Ensure organizational compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and public health standards.
Oversee development, implementation, and evaluation of district policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
Collaborate with legal counsel, regulatory agencies, and leadership staff regarding compliance issues and risk mitigation strategies.
Promote organizational accountability, ethical standards, transparency, and continuous quality improvement.
Ensure appropriate records management, confidentiality protections, and data governance practices.
Direct organizational workforce planning, leadership development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
Supervise and evaluate executive leadership staff and provide organizational leadership to all district employees.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture focused on employee development and retention.
Ensure compliance with labor laws, personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements, and workplace safety requirements.
Support recruitment and retention strategies to maintain a highly qualified public health workforce.
Serve as the primary spokesperson and representative of the Yakima Health District.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with elected officials, healthcare providers, schools, businesses, community organizations, tribal governments, emergency response agencies, and the public.
Communicate effectively with media representatives and community stakeholders regarding public health issues and district activities.
Advocate for public health priorities and legislative initiatives that support community health improvement.
Promote public trust through transparent communication and community engagement.
Provide executive leadership during public health emergencies and emergency response operations.
Ensure readiness for communicable disease outbreaks, natural disasters, environmental incidents, and other emergencies.
Participate in emergency operations planning, incident command activities, and regional coordination efforts.
Maintain availability for emergency response and operational decision-making on a 24/7 basis.

Benefits

medical, vision, dental, and life insurance (Public Employee Benefits Board)
participation in Washington State retirement system (DRS)
generous annual, holiday, and sick leave program
Medical, Dental, Prescription and Vision Coverage
Basic Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Voluntary Benefits – vision, term life, critical illness, disability and other insurance plans
Washington State Retirement Plan (DRS)
457 Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays and Sick Leave