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Director - Health Officer
Location:Health Dept WR
FT/PT:Full-time 40 hrs/week - WRS Eligible
Deadline to apply:3/9/2026
Hiring Range:$107,744 to $121,888/annually
  
Job Responsibilities:
PLEASE NOTE: Start date will be early 2027.

Wage as of 7/1/26: $109,907.20 to $124,321.60/annually

WHO WE ARE:
The Wood County Health Department has great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a background in public health, please consider joining our team! 

WHAT WE OFFER:
In addition to who we are, Wood County team members are offered competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and excellent benefits, including:
*Health Insurance - we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage!
*Dental Insurance
*Vision Insurance
*Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - This is one of the best-funded public pension plans in the U.S.!
*457 deferred compensation plan
*Vacation and Sick Time - Start accruing for both on your first day!
*10 Paid Holidays
*Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses
*Life Insurance
*Short and Long-Term Disability
*Wellness Incentive Plan
*Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

Purpose of Position
The purpose of this position is to plan, direct, manage and administer county public health programs; and enforce local, state, and federal public health regulations according to applicable statutes, rules ordinances, and policies. The Director provides senior management, leadership and public health expertise to assure the successful achievement of the department’s vision, mission, and program objectives. The work is performed under the direction of the Health and Human Services Committee.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this classification.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.
Public Health Sciences
1.    Assures the delivery of public health services are evidence-based and/or best practices; and build the scientific basis of public health.
2.    Adopts and adapts strategies to combat the evolving leading causes of illness, injury and premature death.
3.    Participates in departmental quality improvement, performance management and evaluation activities.
4.    Provides surveillance, investigation, control and prevention of communicable disease, other disease prevention, health promotion and human health hazard control. 
5.    Monitors and evaluates the Department Strategic Plan; establishes performance benchmarks for the strategic planning process. 
6.    Organizes and leads response teams to prevent, minimize, and contain adverse health events and conditions resulting from communicable diseases; food-, water-, and vector-borne outbreaks; chronic diseases; environmental hazards; injuries; and health disparities.
7.    Uses data to evaluate the outcomes of public health interventions and works with the department to make changes as necessary.
8.    Administers all department functions and enforces state public health regulations according to applicable federal policies, state statutes, county ordinances, and Health and Human Services Committee directives. 
9.    Assures investigation of complaints regarding environmental health problems and environmental health hazards and initiates enforcement or corrective actions as required.
10.    Assures rabies protocol is adhered to by local law enforcement, humane officer, veterinarians and physicians. 
11.    Oversees the development and delivery of programs and activities for individuals, families and population groups that promote health and prevent disease.
12.    Directs and collaborates in the development of and contributes to individual, team, and Departmental quality improvement, performance management and evaluation activities.  

Community Dimensions of Practice
13.    Collaborates in development and leadership of community workgroups and committees related to community health assessment, prioritization and action planning and implementation. 
14.    Advocates on behalf of vulnerable individuals and populations; participates in assessing and evaluating health care services to ensure that people are informed of available programs and services and are assisted in the utilization of those services.  
15.    Participates in Wood County Health Department sanctioned research and projects that seek to improve the health of communities and determine new ways to address health issues.
16.    Participates in research agenda-setting, practice-based research networks, or other research efforts.
17.    Contributes to a work environment that fosters ongoing educational experiences regarding public health nursing for colleagues, nursing and other health-related students, healthcare professionals and members of the community.
18.    Serves on inter-jurisdictional or multi-agency committees involved in public health policy development; coordinate review/comment processes for proposed policy documents; maintain contact with various community organizations. 
19.    Evaluates the effectiveness of adopted community engagement strategies.
20.    Provides leadership to the community health needs assessment prioritization and action planning processes, contributing expertise in public health assessment.
21.    Provides leadership to the implementation of the community health plan.
22.    Engages community and governmental agencies to address community health needs.
23.    Collaborates with individuals and organizations in developing a vision for a health community.

Analysis and Assessment
24.    Directs and assists in the implementation of community assessment; can distinguish between quantitative and qualitative community assessment data; understands incidence and prevalence data; knows how to access basic community epidemiological data. 
25.    Analyzes data to identify trends, health problems, environmental health hazards, and social and economic conditions and inequities that adversely affect the public’s health.
26.    Presents and interprets demographic, statistical, programmatic, and scientific information to professional and lay audiences.
27.    Works with staff to examine the integrity and comparability of data and identify gaps in data.
28.    Utilizes data in the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions, programs, policies, and plans.
29.    Evaluates progress in meeting goals and objectives in the Department Strategic Plan and leads quality improvement initiatives specific to the strategic plan.
30.    Conducts comprehensive reviews of scientific evidence related to public health issues, concerns, and interventions.
31.    Analyzes, identifies and makes mitigation recommendations for internal and external factors that may affect the delivery of Foundational Public Health Services.
32.    Prepares and submits statistical and activity reports to the County Board.

Leadership and Systems Thinking
33.    Provides leadership to the Department as a member of the management team.
34.    Provides leadership to, and is responsible for, the fiscal, human resource and operational management of the Health Department.  This includes directing and supervising staff including Program Leads, Professional Staff, and Clerical Support Staff by utilizing leadership/supervision skills of servant leadership, motivating, coaching, mentoring and identifying strengths and weaknesses. Interviews and recommends selection of new employees; plans, coordinates, assigns, and reviews work; conducts performance planning and evaluations; acts on problems and concerns; approves leave.
35.    Ensures a competent public health workforce through professional development opportunities for the organization and throughout the organization.
36.    Demonstrates knowledge of applicable state professional practice guidelines for registered professional nurses, the American Nurses’ Association Scope and Standards of Practice for Public Health Nursing any other Federal and State laws and regulations applicable to practice as a public health nursing professional. 
37.    Adheres to applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, such as those concerning exposure to blood-borne pathogens, toxic substances, airborne pathogens or exposure to other hazards during routine assignments or assignments during public health emergencies.  
38.    Acts as a liaison and representative on community committees and coalitions, sharing resources and encouraging collaboration to meet common goals that support the department's values and the Community Health Improvement Plan and the state health plan.
39.    Assesses, develops and implements department-wide strategies to ensure the department is mission focused, value driven, team orientated, and responsive to customer needs.
40.    Incorporates ethical standards of practice as the basis of all interactions with organizations, communities, and individuals.
41.    Provides educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students in public health.  
42.    Meets with and answers questions of other departments, County Supervisors, outside agencies, and the general public regarding items related to public health activities.
43.    Attends and participates in a variety of meetings; represents the Department before municipal councils, County Committees, County Board and other policy making bodies when applicable.
44.    Collaborates in developing a work environment where performance management, continuous quality improvements in professional practice is pursued.  
45.    Fosters and assists in the development of the Department’s Grant objectives, business plans and work plans.
46.    Oversees the development and implementation of public health emergency plans, ensures 24/7 public health response coverage, and leads response efforts. Serves as Incident Commander in public health-related emergencies. 
47.    Acts as County Public Health liaison to municipalities, community agencies/organizations, and state and federal health agencies.

Policy Development and Program Planning 
48.    Coordinates public health activities with environmental and public health professionals and investigators from other agencies and jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
49.    Coordinates activities among and between other governmental agencies, such as the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, that enforce laws and regulations that protect the public’s health.
50.    Identifies and analyzes public health policy issues and alternatives; guides the community and organization in seeking policy change and action on public health issues; develops local ordinance and works with local and state elected officials to advance policy toward healthier communities.
51.    Directs and collaborates in the development of evidence-based public health practices and programs in collaboration with universities, other nursing agencies, businesses, trade associations, other staff and the public.  
52.    Evaluates the effectiveness of policies and programs.
53.    Participates with Health and Human Services Committee in developing county public health policies and procedures.
54.    Ensures compliance with relevant state public health practice guidelines, community standards of care, and Federal and State laws and regulations.
55.    Directs and collaborates in and contributes to individual, team, and Departmental performance management, quality improvement and evaluation activities.  
56.    Administers personnel policies as established by the county or department.
57.    Oversees the alignment of the WI Department of Health Services required services of a Level 3 Local Health Department, the Foundational Public Health Capabilities, and the Public Health Accreditation Standards.

Communication and Cultural Competency 
58.    Develops and delivers presentations on a variety of topics to a variety of audiences.
59.    Leads in the development and management of the Department’s staff training programs with emphasis on customer service, diversity, cultural awareness and collaborative communication. 
60.    Develops and recommends policy and programmatic options to address public health issues.
61.    Collaborates in the development and implementation of the Communications Plan to promote evidenced based public health communication strategies across the Department and in the community. 
62.    Assures targeted, culturally appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand public health information.
63.    Assures relevant social media that is reflective of the current work of the department and is consistent with expectations of a professional and user-friendly electronic environment.
64.    Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethnic, sexual orientations, lifestyles, and physical abilities.
65.    Educates local and state policy makers and community stakeholders on public health issues.

Financial Planning and Management 
66.    Supports the development and administration of public health grants and contracts.
67.    Ensures programs are managed within the current and projected budget and staffing levels.
68.    Provides program oversight with department fiscal controls, policies, and reporting.
69.    Collaborates with the Public Health Administrative Specialist and Deputy Director to provide possible solutions of any budget shortfalls and provide recommendations to achieve a balanced budget.
70.    Uses cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-utility analyses in programmatic prioritization and decision making.  
71.    Directs preparation of annual department operating budget and assists the Public Health Administrative Specialist as needed. Submits and recommends budget to the Health & Human Services Committee and Operations Committee for approval, and to the County Board for adoption. 
72.    Monitors department budget throughout the year, recommends modifications when needed, approves purchase requests, directs grant funding application and implementation, and administers department funds for public health programs.
73.    Develops and negotiates contracts, written agreements and memorandums of understandings.
74.    Leverages funding to advance community health priorities and population health services.

Other
75.    Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued. 
76.    Attends regular staff meetings, trainings and other meetings as assigned.
77.    Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned.
78.    Participates as part of the Incident Command Structure in planning, training, and exercising for emergencies; includes annual respirator fit testing.
79.    Participates in department public health emergency planning and is part of public health 24/7 response team as assigned and consistent with training provided.
80.    Works to support the mission of the department and adheres to the core values as described in the most current agency strategic plan. 
81.    Responsible to know and practice the Safety Policies of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
82.    Performs other duties as assigned consistent with job classification.
Job Qualifications:
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Master’s degree, or a degree or educational credential higher than a master’s degree, in public health, public administration, health administration, or as defined in rules promulgated by the Department of Health Services, a similar field (WI Statute 251.06) and three years’ experience in a full-time administrative position in a public health agency or public health work; OR combination of experience and training as set forth under the Department of Health Administrative Code for Public Health Officials sufficient to satisfy the requirements of a Level III local health officer [see Wis Stat. 251.06(1)(c) and (d)]. Possession of a valid driver’s license, as well as a licensed and insured automobile are required, or other means of reliable transportation immediately available to candidate. Experience in community leadership and engagement to create policy, systems, and environmental changes is desired.