Public Health Planner

Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health•Mason City, IA

6d•$29 - $36

About The Position

The Public Health Planner supports planning functions at CG Public Health by understanding community health issues, assisting with department plan development, researching and writing grant proposals, and evaluating programs. The position helps secure external funding, maintain accreditation, strengthen performance management, and advance quality improvement and high-quality public health practice. It also prepares clear, timely reports for the Board of Health, funders, staff, partners, and the public, translating data into useful information and connecting results to departmental plans and requirements. Working under the Director, the Planner coordinates grant opportunities and applications, grant reporting systems and deadlines, community health assessment and improvement activities, and program outcome measurement. The role also supports the department’s quality improvement, performance management, strategic planning, and accreditation systems, including PHAB documentation and reporting. The Planner leads a strategic plan priority team and facilitates the QI-PM council and improvement projects. The position contributes to public health emergency preparedness by maintaining knowledge of response plans, completing required training, participating in assigned emergency response roles and exercises, and assisting with response documentation and plan updates. The role requires strong organization, judgment, communication, data interpretation, collaboration, and proficiency with Microsoft Office. It is a full-time, non-exempt position of 40 hours per week, with a Monday–Friday schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and overtime as required. The position reports to the Director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, with major coursework in public health, English, communications, data, or a related field, and one year of relevant work experience; alternatively, an associate degree in a related field and at least five years of significantly relevant work experience. Experience may be substituted for education.
Required public health core competencies include communication, cultural competency, community dimensions of practice, analytical and assessment, policy development and program planning, public health sciences, leadership, and systems thinking.
Ability to gain knowledge of public health, EMS, and hospital preparedness issues; knowledge of the Incident Command System and National Incident Management System; and achievement of NIMS competency training compliance.
Completion of NIMS trainings IS-100, IS-200, and IS-700.
At least 32 continuing education credits per year; additional requirements may apply based on certifications or licensing.
Strong organizational judgment, including prioritizing competing demands, anticipating dependencies, and adapting work plans.
Strong written communication skills, including synthesizing complex information and tailoring accurate content for staff, leadership, partners, and funders.
Effective verbal communication skills, including explaining complex requirements in plain language and maintaining working relationships with agencies and coworkers.
Ability to interpret quantitative and qualitative information, recognize patterns and limitations, and draw supported conclusions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other software applications.
Ability to build alignment, navigate differing perspectives, and advance cross-functional work without direct supervisory authority.
Ability to work independently and collaborate with staff at all levels.
Ability to exercise sound judgment when requirements, priorities, or evidence conflict and recognize when leadership review is needed.
Ability to support continuous improvement, maintain professionalism and accountability, define problems, identify root causes, evaluate options, recommend practical solutions, follow policies, and respect the rights of visitors.
Knowledge of how accreditation, quality improvement, performance management, and strategic planning work together in public health practice.
Knowledge of the 10 Essential Public Health Services and their application to community assessment, program planning, service delivery, and organizational improvement.
Knowledge of emergency preparedness principles, coordinated response structures, role clarity, documentation, and continuity of public health operations.
Valid Iowa driver’s license, reliable transportation, insurability under county insurance policies, and ability to obtain automobile insurance if a personal vehicle is used for county business.
Must pass post-offer, pre-employment drug and physical testing, CRT, reference checks, and a criminal background check.
Ability to meet the stated physical and visual requirements, including occasional lifting or carrying up to 35 pounds, telephone communication, document preparation, manual dexterity, and 20/40 corrected vision for driving.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of how public health planning, quality improvement, and strategic planning fit together.
Any approved licensure or certification listed in the CG Public Health Personnel Manual; optional licensure incentives may apply.

Responsibilities

Explore and assess external funding opportunities using health indicators and other data, and advise leadership on whether opportunities align with department priorities and plans.
Interpret funding guidelines, lead grant writing, and conduct research and data gathering for applications.
Manage grant and contract reporting data, review and analyze submitted data, and prepare timely reports in accordance with funder guidelines.
Coordinate grant portals, reporting calendars, grant start-up activities, kick-off meetings, roles, tracking systems, documentation, and standard oversight tools and templates.
Participate in community health assessment and improvement plan activities and serve on at least one related community coalition or similar group.
Evaluate programs and external funding by designing measurement frameworks, tracking outcomes, and preparing compliance and impact reports.
Integrate quality improvement, performance management, and accreditation activities and serve as a resource to staff.
Lead one strategic plan priority team and facilitate the QI-PM council, including meeting preparation, documentation, and follow-up tracking.
Maintain quality improvement and performance management plans and ensure their integration with the strategic plan and initiatives.
Oversee the performance management tracking system, prepare quarterly reports, assist with annual performance summaries, and coordinate follow-up on findings.
Identify potential quality improvement projects, facilitate teams’ improvement work, and evaluate completed projects.
Support maintenance of public health accreditation by understanding PHAB standards, maintaining electronic files, uploading documentation, tracking submissions, and completing required PHAB reports.
Lead preparation and timely submission of comprehensive quarterly and annual Board of Health reports.
Work with managers to identify and track health indicators and outcome measures, and turn data into clear, compelling reports for stakeholders.
Maintain knowledge of the department’s preparedness and response plan; review plans, train for emergency roles, participate in assigned response duties and exercises, document response activities, and assist with updates to the All-Hazards Emergency Response Plan.
Perform other duties as assigned.