Leadership for Healthy People and Communities

Details
 

02/01/2024

Health Commissioner

Summit County Public Health

Summit County Public Health (SCPH) is a leader in Ohio in protecting and promoting the health of the entire community through high quality, innovative programs and activities designed to address the safety, health and well-being of people who live in Summit County. Through public and private partnerships, SCPH seeks to create a healthful environment and ensure the accessibility of health services to all.

SCPH has 175 full-time employees working in 22 operating units within four divisions:  nursing/clinical health, environmental health, family health and administrative/support services. In 2023, SCPH served more than 100,000 individuals. The annual operating budget is approximately $27 million with 58% funding from general revenue and 42% from grants. SCPH is accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board.

Summit County is located in northeast Ohio and has a population of 540,000. SCPH headquarters is in Akron, the county seat; there are four satellite offices. 

Career Opportunity:  Health Commissioner, Summit County Public Health, Akron, Ohio 

Summit County Public Health is seeking a dynamic, collaborative and experienced leader to partner with the Board of Health to implement the priorities of the 2023-2025 SCPH Strategic Plan: 

• Address public health hazards to protect the community.
• Promote strategies to improve community conditions, access to care, and health equity.
• Evaluate and continuously improve processes, programs and interventions.
• Foster employee engagement, development and performance.
• Develop and advocate for evidence-based policy, practices, and programming.
• Develop and implement effective marketing, outreach and communication strategies. 

Key responsibilities include: 

Leadership

• Ensure that the mission and core values are upheld to provide the organization with a compass to guide SCPH toward its vision.
• In partnership with the Board and staff, align the organization around a compelling vision that will attract human and financial resources to support SCPH’s work.
• Develop goals, strategies and tactics in the form of annual plans as a roadmap that ensures accountability.
• Align the priorities of the Ohio Department of Health with the local public health strategy. 

Board Partnership

• Build, cultivate and nurture a productive partnership with the Board of Health built on mutual respect and trust.
• Provide Board members with the resources, information and training necessary to fulfill their duties and to be organizational ambassadors. 

Community Engagement

• Maintain positive and productive relationships with leaders of local government, healthcare organizations, the nonprofit sector and the business community.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for SCPH.
• Represent the organization on local and regional committees, councils and boards that align with the SCPH mission. 

Management

• Build and lead an effective and diverse staff team dedicated to the SCPH mission and with the requisite skills to be successful in their work.
• Develop strategies to attract and retain employees in a challenging job market.
• Identify areas for adding staff capacity and developing existing staff skills.
• Establish effective decision making at all levels to ensure that voices are heard and that short- and long-term goals are met.
• Ensure the organization is resting on a fiscally sound foundation and that relevant parties are informed about fiscal status and that financial information is communicated in a manner accessible to all. 

Impact

• Ensure that best practices of public health are incorporated into all SCPH programs and services.
• Oversee a programmatic portfolio that is designed with a deep understanding of the community’s public health needs and that aligns with the agency mission and strategic plan.
• Ensure effective systems for program evaluation and regularly evaluate the program portfolio, mindful of the need to adapt to the changing needs of the community.
• Bring a spirit of innovation to the program work with an eye toward piloting new ideas that could be incorporated into or will maximize existing work. 

Growing Resources

• Maintain the agency’s strong fiscal position through effective financial management and the pursuit of new sources of revenue.
• Seek opportunities to secure continued and new grants to support ongoing and expanded programs. 

The ideal candidate will embody the core values of SCPH and bring leadership and strategic insights to the work through the following skills and characteristics: 

• Has a deep belief in and passion for public service.
• Demonstrates steady leadership, especially in times of crisis.
• Is comfortable in a highly visible role with frequent media appearances.
• Is a compelling and trusted internal and external communicator.
• Is an inspiring leader for staff, building a culture that supports growth and development.
• Understands the importance of listening, meeting people where they are and engaging in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders.
• Is culturally responsive and emotionally intelligent.
• Is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Leads and manages with a growth mindset, open to learning, innovation and risk-taking.

Education and experience:  Master’s degree in environmental science, public health, or related field. Ten years of experience in public health or related field; familiar with public health concepts, practices, principles and a minimum of five years supervisory experience. National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 700, 300, 400 and IC20.11 (Diversity Training) certification within six months of appointment.

Job Requirements:  Current valid driver’s license, automobile availability, and liability insurance coverage. Must pass pre-employment background check, drug and alcohol testing and credit check verification. This is a full-time position that requires the ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends as necessary. Occasional travel within Ohio required.

Compensation:  The salary range for the position is $148,000 to $172,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance and participation in the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System.  

Application:  Inquiries, referrals and cover letters/applications may be directed in confidence via email to:  search@schd.org. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 1,2024. NOTE:  Prospective candidates should be aware that any applications or resumes submitted for this position are subject to the Ohio Public Records Act and may be disclosed.   

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SCPH is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and organization's achievement as well. We embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

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