Executive Director

Job Description

The Yakima Health District (YHD) offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, vision, dental, and life insurance (Public Employee Benefits Board); participation in Washington State retirement system (DRS); and a generous annual, holiday, and sick leave program.  This is an exempt position that reports directly to the Board of Health (BOH).

Purpose of the Position:

Under RCW 70.05.045, the Administrative Officer (Executive Director) shall act as Executive Secretary and Administrative Officer for the local BOH and shall be responsible for administering the operations of the board, including such other administrative duties required by the local health board.

The Executive Director provides visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for all district programs, services, and administrative functions. The Executive Director works collaboratively with the BOH, community partners, healthcare systems, local governments, tribal partners, state agencies, and the public to protect and improve the health of Yakima County residents.

This position is responsible for advancing the mission of YHD through effective leadership in public health practice, organizational management, fiscal stewardship, emergency preparedness, policy development, workforce development, and community engagement.

The Executive Director is expected to maintain a visible leadership presence within the community and frequently works outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position requires 24/7 on-call availability for public health emergencies, outbreaks, environmental health incidents, disaster response, and other urgent operational matters.

Essential Job Functions:

Board of Health

·       Announce, advertise, prepare agendas, and otherwise publicize meetings of the BOH.

·       Record minutes of all meetings of the BOH.

·       Be the custodian of all the records, books, and papers belonging to the BOH and shall be maintained in accordance with applicable public record laws.

·       Carry on usual correspondence of the BOH including such matters as notifying members and financial participating agencies of meetings and notifying officers of their elections and committees of their appointments and duties.

·       Keep a roster of Board members noting with respect to each, the member’s full name, address, phone number and attendance at each meeting.

·       Make such reports concerning the personnel and changes therein as may be necessary.

·       Payments of accounts, vouchers, and payroll shall be prepared by the Executive Director and shall be presented monthly to the Board Chair. All accounts shall be reviewed and signed by the BOH and the Executive Director or by such person(s) as authorized by the BOH.

·       Adopt contracting, hiring, purchasing, and disbursing policies that implement effective internal control;

·       Prepare and present an annual budget with breakdown of expenses and revenue for the forthcoming year at a date agreed upon by the BOH;

·       Perform such other duties as directed by the BOH, as required by customs and parliamentary procedures.

Executive Leadership and Strategic Planning

Provide overall executive leadership and direction for all YHD operations, programs, and personnel.
Implement the vision, mission, strategic priorities, and policies established by the BOH.
Lead the development and implementation of strategic plans, organizational goals, and performance objectives.
Advise and support the BOH on public health policy, regulatory matters, emerging issues, and operational priorities.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Ensure alignment of departmental operations with local, state, and federal public health laws, regulations, and standards.
Represent the district at local, regional, state, and national meetings, committees, and public health initiatives.

Public Health Administration

Direct and oversee all public health services and programs, including communicable disease control, environmental health, emergency preparedness, health promotion, community health improvement, and related public health initiatives.
Ensure compliance with Washington State Department of Health (DOH) requirements, federal grant requirements, and applicable public health accreditation standards.
Monitor and evaluate community health trends, public health risks, and operational performance indicators.
Coordinate public health response activities during emergencies, outbreaks, disasters, and other incidents impacting community health and safety.
Promote evidence-based public health practices and health equity initiatives throughout the organization.

Financial and Fiscal Management

Direct the development, implementation, and administration of the district’s annual operating budget.
Ensure sound fiscal management practices and responsible stewardship of public funds.
Oversee financial planning, revenue forecasting, grant funding, procurement activities, and contractual agreements.
Work collaboratively with finance staff to maintain compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), state regulations, grant requirements, and auditing standards.
Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support organizational sustainability and strategic initiatives.
Present financial reports, budget recommendations, and fiscal analyses to the BOH and other stakeholders.

Grants and Contracts Administration

Provide executive oversight for all grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and funding opportunities administered by the district.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local grant and contract requirements, reporting obligations, and performance measures.
Oversee contract negotiations, vendor relationships, interagency agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
Develop systems to monitor grant deliverables, expenditures, timelines, and program outcomes.
Support the expansion of external funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.

Policy, Compliance, and Risk Management

Ensure organizational compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and public health standards.
Oversee development, implementation, and evaluation of district policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
Collaborate with legal counsel, regulatory agencies, and leadership staff regarding compliance issues and risk mitigation strategies.
Promote organizational accountability, ethical standards, transparency, and continuous quality improvement.
Ensure appropriate records management, confidentiality protections, and data governance practices.

Human Resources and Workforce Leadership

Direct organizational workforce planning, leadership development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
Supervise and evaluate executive leadership staff and provide organizational leadership to all district employees.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture focused on employee development and retention.
Ensure compliance with labor laws, personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements, and workplace safety requirements.
Support recruitment and retention strategies to maintain a highly qualified public health workforce.

Community and Government Relations

Serve as the primary spokesperson and representative of YHD.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with elected officials, healthcare providers, schools, businesses, community organizations, tribal governments, emergency response agencies, and the public.
Communicate effectively with media representatives and community stakeholders regarding public health issues and district activities.
Advocate for public health priorities and legislative initiatives that support community health improvement.
Promote public trust through transparent communication and community engagement.

Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response

Provide executive leadership during public health emergencies and emergency response operations.
Ensure readiness for communicable disease outbreaks, natural disasters, environmental incidents, and other emergencies.
Participate in emergency operations planning, incident command activities, and regional coordination efforts.
Maintain availability for emergency response and operational decision-making on a 24/7 basis.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Requires a bachelor’s degree with major study in nursing, environmental health, health education, public health, public administration, or related field.
Master’s degree in public health, public administration, healthcare administration, environmental health, business administration, or a closely related field is preferred.
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public health, healthcare administration, governmental operations, or a related field.
Minimum of five (5) years of executive or senior management experience supervising multiple departments, programs, or divisions.
Experience managing complex budgets, grants, contracts, and organizational operations required.
Experience working with governing boards, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders preferred.
Local public health experience and knowledge of Washington State public health systems strongly preferred.
Extensive knowledge of public health principles, practices, laws, and regulatory requirements.
Strong executive leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning abilities.
Knowledge of governmental budgeting, fiscal management, grants administration, and public sector operations.
Ability to analyze complex issues and develop effective operational and policy solutions.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and public speaking skills.
Ability to build collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders and community groups.
Demonstrated ability to lead during emergencies and high-pressure situations.
Strong personnel management, coaching, and leadership development skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands: 

Much of this work is conducted indoors in an office, meeting rooms, or community facilities.
Frequent use of a computer involves viewing a computer screen, and frequent wrist movements.
Frequent travel throughout the county and on occasion to regional and state-wide meetings in the state.
Able to lift up to 20 pounds.
Must be able to obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license within thirty (30) days of employment and possess auto insurance, or to be able to demonstrate the ability to travel throughout the county.

Membership in American Public Health Association or other professional health/environmental service societies is desirable.
Must have or obtain immunity to Hepatitis B disease within the first nine (9) months of employment
Must prove or obtain immunity to Measles and Rubella, Tdap, Varicella diseases within the ninety (90) days of employment.
Must provide documentation of the results of Tuberculosis skin test administered in the previous ninety (90) days or be tested.
Incident Command System (ICS/NIMS) training preferred or required within established timeframe.