Job Location: This position will be located at 930 Wildwood Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65102

Why you’ll love this position:

The Chief of the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health (ORHPC) is an ideal position for someone passionate about leading efforts using a systems-level approach to make lasting changes to improve health and reduce disparities. The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC), comprised of the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) and the Primary Care Office (PCO), enhances equitable access to health care services to rural and underserved populations and communities to improve the health status of these Missouri residents. There is opportunity to identify creative solutions to most effectively implement grant programs and encourage collaboration among Department programs. At DHSS, we value team players who are open-minded and work well with others to accomplish goals and fulfill our mission of promoting, protecting, and partnering for health. If you're looking for diverse opportunities, challenging work, good benefits, and a family-friendly environment, we want to talk to you about becoming a part of our winning team.

What you’ll do:

• Provide guidance and oversight for state and federally funded programs within the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (including loan repayment programs, tracking and reporting health professional shortage areas and status of rural health in the state, and programs to support building or enhancing the health care workforce, rural and critical access hospitals and rural communities) on all aspects of policy, budget, planning and personnel issues as well as the provision of high quality, equitable programs serving the people of Missouri.
• Directly supervise several positions, including program managers, and program and support staff.
• Support the office’s programs in their efforts to meet program goals, objectives and deadlines; conduct program evaluations, organize staff to allow for maximum efficiency, and assure products and services are high quality and provided within appropriate time frames.
• Collaborate with other department units and local, state, and federal agencies, organizations, and officials.
• Represent the office/division/department in a wide variety of meetings with all stakeholders, including federal, state and local agency partners, contractors, health care industry representatives, state and local coalitions, task forces, etc.
• Develop partnerships with, and provide technical assistance to healthcare systems.
• Engage pediatricians, OB/GYNs, school nurses, social workers, and other health care providers in strengthening their healthcare systems through integrating child and family-centered tobacco control initiatives to address the initiation and cessation of emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

All you need for success:

Minimum Qualifications

• A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and extensive professional experience (4 required) in public health, mental health, environmental health, education, social services, public or business administration, health care, and/or health care administration. One to two years of supervisory experience preferred.
• The ideal candidate is someone who can build impactful partnerships and has excellent networking and communication skills as well as a visionary and effective communicator with innovative problem-solving and advanced critical and analytical thinking skills.
• Experience using technology and a variety of computer programs (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, video-conferencing, and online survey platforms) for coordinating activities and project reporting.
• Excellent people skills, ability to manage conflict, multi-task, solve problems, and take direction; ability to make difficult decisions based on public health principles.
• Some overnight and out-of-state travel necessary to attend meetings and conferences.

If you have questions about this position please contact:

Pat Simmons at pat.simmons@health.mo.gov or 573-526-1822.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees