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Health Officer/Director

Kenosha County
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HEALTH OFFICER/DIRECTOR

Division of Health Services

 

Lead our Health Services team in implementing data-driven programs—from outbreak control to emergency response—while forging vital partnerships. If driving real impact and mentoring diverse talent excites you, join us to build a healthier, more resilient community.

 

The Kenosha County Public Health (KCPH) Health Officer/Director provides leadership, management, and administration defined in Wisconsin State Statute WI s.251.06(3) to a Level III Health Department outlined in Wisconsin DHS Chapter 140.06. The Health Officer reports to the Human Services Director and an appointed, volunteer, advisory Board of Health per Wisconsin State Statute s.251.04. This position oversees three internal branches: Population Health, Environmental Health, and Clinical Services. KCPH has embraced the Public Health 3.0 Model with the Health Officer serving as the Chief Health Strategist striving to address the social determinants of health holistically and reaching for health equity. This position plans, organizes, develops, and directs overall departmental operations while guiding successful achievement of the vision, mission, goals, and values. The Health Officer has a high level of responsibility in ensuring compliance with a broad range of local and state health and environmental codes, regulations, and ordinances.  

 

2025 Hiring Range:  $102,508 - $122,034

 

 

Position Summary and Job Duties       

Management, Leadership & Performance

  • Provide leadership to deliver high-quality, timely outcomes aligned with departmental goals, developing policies, processes, and key plans e.g. Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), Workforce Development, and Strategic Plan
  • Facilitate Executive Team meetings to align on upcoming changes, new implementation protocols, and prioritize critical internal issues
  • Oversee staff performance and development; provide oversight of staff evaluations, mentor, coach, schedule, and foster employee engagement
  • Implement workforce development strategies by assessing skill gaps, contingency planning, team building, motivation, and continuing education opportunities
  • Lead grant and contract development with internal teams and external partners; monitor progress, outcomes, and metrics against targets
  • Coordinate, implement, and evaluate community programs, conferences, and events to expand reach and meet public health protocols
  • Direct communications and marketing efforts to ensure health literacy, cultural and linguistic proficiency, and a strong division brand via social media and website upkeep
  • Manage implementation and maintenance of electronic medical records and other technologies to support public health operations, ensuring protection of personally identifiable and confidential health information
  • Represent the division to national/state grantors, County Board, Board of Health, and community committees; advocate for public health programs, policies, and funding while ensuring HIPAA, OSHA, and ethical compliance
  • Responsible for ensuring compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, and local statutes, codes, rules, and regulations pertaining to Public Health

 

Quality Improvement & Data Analysis

  • Coordinate strategic/business plans and lead ongoing community health assessments
  • Collect and analyze data for technical reports, community health assessments, improvement and performance management plans; evaluate program effectiveness and ensure quality control and assurance of all field and data-collection activities
  • Foster an environment of continuous quality improvement and advancement of equity and resilience in service, policies, and professional practice are pursued with community involvement and partnerships of adversely impacted populations
  • Monitor program participation, budgets, and grant compliance; defend annual budgets and secure financial resources as needed
  • Collaborate in the development and leadership of community workgroups, committees, and coalitions
  • Apply and participate in the  latest public health science and research related to public health issues, public complaints and concerns, and interventions using evidence-based or evidence-informed practices
  • Disseminate transparent information to the community on the health of the community, including statistics, epidemiologic, and other studies of health issues

 

Policy Development & Program Planning

  • Ensure activities required under ch.DHS.144 relating to immunization of students
  • Ensure compliance with ch.DHS.145 relating to epidemiological investigations, and control of communicable diseases and outbreaks
  • Implement agreements established with state agencies to provide or arrange for environmental health services (i.e. DATCP, DNR, DSPS)
  • Arrange for availability of services authorized under Ch.254, Stats., such as for toxic substances, indoor air quality, animal borne or vector borne disease, and human health hazards; identify and implement strategies to improve access to health services
  • Develop and implement interventions to reduce the incidence, prevalence, or onset of chronic disease or to prevent or ameliorate injuries that are leading causes of disability and premature death
  • Ensure nursing and environmental health lead hazard prevention and education program
  • Oversee laboratory testing, inspections, reporting, and investigation in compliance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA)
  • Ensure all clinical services are coordinated with Medical Directors

 

Public Health Emergency Response

  • Serve as Incident Commander for health-related emergencies; lead response teams in compliance with WI Division of Public Health (DPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines; develop and execute emergency response plans per DPH and CDC guidelines; direct preparedness activities, trainings, Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) compliant After Action Reports; and maintain Continuity of Operations Plan/Continuity of Government Plan (COOP/COG) and mutual aid agreements
  • Ensure development and implementation of response strategies and plans to define the role of public health in accordance with local, state, and national guidelines to address public health emergencies
  • Ensure status as an agent of the State Health Department, if designated by the Secretary, under s.250.042(1)

 

Success Factors

Knowledge of:

  • Ten Essential Public Health Services (i.e., using root cause analysis and other methods and tools) and Core Functions of Public Health Practice
  • Health education behavior change theories and use
  • Health Equity, Racial Equity, and Social Determinants of Health
  • Population health practices and community health improvement
  • Epidemiology, the science of public health, including data collection, sampling, analysis, and interpretation
  • Familiarity with a breadth of local governmental public health programs, practices, and responsibilities

 

Skill in:

  • Strong leadership, quality improvement, and performance measurement and management
  • Conflict resolution, critical thinking, systems thinking, and analysis
  • Strong oral communication with ability to maintain collaborative partnerships
  • Excellent written communication with the ability to craft grant proposals, speeches, and articles
  • Financial planning and program and project management
  • Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
  • Data management systems related to the evaluation of outcomes

 

Ability to:

  • Understand and consistently follow directions based on health department policies and procedures
  • Engage, establish, and maintain collaborative partnerships with multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary staff, management, elected officials, educators and students, the media, health practitioners, community partners, and the public
  • Maintain confidentiality and serve the public with honesty and integrity
  • Articulate and promote a vision for public health
  • Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling professional values with honesty and integrity
  • Operate professionally with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment including in high pressure situations
  • Delegate and use persuasion and negotiation skills

 

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience

Required Education and Experience

Per Wisconsin State Statute, Chapter 251.06(1)(c), a Local Health Officer of a Level III local health department shall have at least one of the following:

  1. A master's degree in public health, public administration, health administration or, as defined in rules promulgated by the department, a similar field and 3 years of experience in a full-time administrative position in either a public health agency or public health work
  2. A bachelor's degree and 16 graduate semester credits towards a master's degree in public health, public administration, health administration or, as defined in rules promulgated by the department, a similar field and 5 years of experience in a full-time administrative position in either a public health agency or public health work
  3. A license to practice medicine and surgery under Ch. 448 and at least one of the following:
    1. Three years of experience in a full-time administrative position in either a public health agency or public health work
    2. Eligibility for certification by the American Board of Preventive Medicine in public health or general preventive medicine
    3. A master's degree in public health, public administration, health administration or, as defined in rules promulgated by the department, a similar field

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Bilingual – English/Spanish
  • Emergency Response Training within 6 months of hire: NIMS 700, ICS 100, 200, 300, and 400
  • CPR/First Aid and Narcan trained within 6 months of hire

 

Or any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

 

Other Job Requirements

  • Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and certificate of vehicle insurance
  • Access to a vehicle for use in the performance of the job
  • Occasional weekend and evening work as required
  • Perform other work as required or assigned including but not limited to a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations such as disease outbreak, foodborne outbreak, natural disaster, or any chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological event

 

Benefits

  • Health, dental and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Time Off
  • Twelve Paid Holidays - Eligible on first day of employment
  • Volunteer Paid Time Off
  • Retirement Plan:  Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

This position involves light physical demands and may require sitting for long periods of time.

 

Selection Process

  • Application Review – Qualifying
  • Oral Interview - Qualifying
  • Background Check - Qualifying
  • Drug Screen - Qualifying

 If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.

 

To learn more about Kenosha County Public Health, please visit:  https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/297/Public-Health

 

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer.  Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

 

The pay grade for this position is E14 (Min. $102,508 – Max. $141,559). 

 

Applications must be received by Sunday, September 7, 2025.

 

This position is located in Kenosha County which is located along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago.  To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, visit:  https://www.visitkenosha.com/

 

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County! 

 

Kenosha County is an equal opportunity employer.