Health Officer

The full-time salary for this position is: $14,037 - $18,715 monthly.

Thurston County Public Health & Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for a part-time (0.5 - 0.6 FTE) Health Officer. 

As the Health Officer at PHSS, you will perform statutory requirements in accordance with Washington State RCWs related to the enforcement of local and state public health laws. You will serve as the chief medical officer for Thurston County, and provide medically accurate and scientifically proven advice or guidance to the Board of Health, the Director, agency staff, the local medical community, internal and/or external advisory counsel(s), local, state, tribal and federal public health partners, the media, and the public. This role also assures delivery of public health services to the community and provides advice to professionals and nonprofessional health services delivery staff.

Under policy direction from the local Board of Health, the Health Officer is responsible for and empowered to enforce the provisions of RCW 70.05.070, RCW 70.58.020 and other applicable state laws. Additionally, you will help identify priorities and emerging trends, communicate health data and information in a variety of settings, and assist with planning for and response to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. 

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• In accordance with Washington State statute RCW 70.05.070:
  • Enforces the public health statutes of the state, rules of the state board of health and the secretary of health, and all local health rules, regulations and ordinances within Thurston County including imposition of penalties authorized under RCW 70.119A.030 and 70.118.130, the confidentiality provisions in RCW 70.02.220 and rules adopted to implement those provisions, and filings of actions authorized by RCW 43.70.190
  • Take such action as necessary to maintain health and sanitation supervision over Thurston County
  • Control and prevent the spread of any dangerous, contagious, or infectious diseases that may occur within Thurston County
  • Inform the public as to the causes, nature, and prevention of disease and disability and the preservation, promotion, and improvement of health within Thurston County
  • Prevent, control, or abate nuisances which are detrimental to the public health
  • Attend all conference calls by the secretary of health or their authorized representative
  • Collect such fees established by the State Board of Health or Thurston County Board of Health for the issuance or renewal of licenses or permits or such other fees as may be authorized by law or by the rules of the State Board of Health
  • Inspect, as necessary, expansion or modification of existing public water systems, and the construction of new public water systems, to assure that the expansion, modification, or construction conforms to system design and plans
  • Take such measures as deem necessary to promote the public health, to participate in the establishment of health educational or training activities, and to authorize the attendance of Thurston County health department or individuals engaged in community health programs related to or part of the programs of the Thurston County Board of Health
• Maintain timely communications to keep the Director and Board of Health appraised of all significant public health medical issues emerging, occurring in or potentially impacting Thurston County
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with county, municipal and state officials, attorneys, physicians, medical representatives, medical community, the media and other community partners
• Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations

To view the full job classification, click here: Health Officer

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment: Office setting in Olympia, Washington. This position is required to be available by phone 24/7, unless other arrangements have been made, to address an emerging public health crisis.
• Schedule: Flexible between Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with the option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Travel Requirements: Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, trainings, or address public health issues.
• Customer Interactions: Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public.

WHO WE ARE:

Public Health & Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plansfor more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA):  Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capital city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Per RCW 70.05.050: The Health Officer shall be an experienced physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in this state and who is qualified or provisionally qualified in accordance with the standards prescribed in RCW 70.05.051 through 70.05.055 to hold the office of local health officer.

DESIRED SKILLS - The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: 

• Master's Degree in Public Health
• Five (5) years directly related public health experience including tuberculosis control under RCW 70.28.031
• Respect and Organizational Culture
  • Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
  • Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
  • Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment
• Communication
  • Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
  • Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
  • Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
  • Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors
• Goal Setting and Accomplishment
  • Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
  • Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
  • Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
  • Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
  • Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact the Hiring Team at [email protected] or (360) 867-2569

This position is:

• Eligible for benefits
• Not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Not represented by a union
• Contingent on the ability to pass a criminal background check
• Grant funded

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of interest
• Applicant Disclosure Form (Pursuant to RCW Section 43.43.830) (Supplemental Questions 1-6)
• Proof of licenses/certifications
• Please note: The candidate selected for this position is required to show proof of the following immunizations by their agreed upon start date:
  • Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap/TD)
  • Baseline tuberculosis screening (required of all new employees who are healthcare personnel, work in healthcare areas or who have contact with patients/clients as part of their normal duties; must be completed no earlier than three months prior to starting work)

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498.  Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.