The Position

County Health Officer

Mendocino County Public Health

$185,224 - $225,139 DOE/DOQ

The County of Mendocino is seeking an innovative and community-oriented County Health Officer (CHO) to serve as the county’s chief public health strategist, developing and implementing health policy, overseeing public health preparedness efforts, and ensuring community health initiatives meet the needs of all residents

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Possession of a Doctor of Medicine degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree issued by an accredited medical school in good standing.

AND Possession of a valid California Physician license and current board certification in a recognized field of medicine.

AND Six (6) years of professional experience in a public health setting, including one year of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

OR An equivalent combination of directly related, progressively responsible education, training, and experience performing duties that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

A Master's degree in Public Health or completion of a preventive medicine residency is highly desirable.

Other Requirements:
Incumbent shall not have an ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, or other entity engaged in any private practice of medicine, nor engage in any private practice of medical service.

Licenses and Certifications*:

• Valid Driver's License
• Possession of a valid physician's and surgeon's license issued by the State of California either through the Board of Medical Quality Assurance or the Board of Osteopathic Examiners to practice medicine in the State of California.

• Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times for continued employment with Mendocino County.

This is a largely medical and scientific role, with minimal administrative responsibilities. The County Health Officer will address the needs of the community and ensure all services across the County are communicating effectively. They will also, forecast trends, and remain current on state and federal regulations. The CHO will drive initiatives to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, issue legal orders, coordinate disease control measures and immunizations, and provide clinical protocol consultation. They will also serve as the Tuberculosis Controller, Sexually Transmitted Disease Controller, and may act as the Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator during public health emergencies.

The ideal candidate will be a highly skilled licensed physician in California with strong knowledge in clinical medicine, public health, and communicable disease control, including epidemiology and environmental health. They will be knowledgeable in comprehensive public health programs, as well as the applicable regulations governing public health. Familiarity with rural healthcare challenges is essential, as is a strong understanding of the social determinants of health.

The ideal candidate will also have experience with regulatory requirements for CLIA-certified laboratories and clinics and an understanding of confidentiality standards under the Privacy Act of 1974; Familiarity with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and expertise in disaster preparedness and response; Strategies for promoting health equity, cultural competence, and community engagement in health initiatives; Knowledge of infectious disease control measures, especially for diseases relevant to the local area (e.g., Valley Fever, COVID-19, West Nile virus); Familiarity with chronic disease prevention and management strategies, with an emphasis on conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma; and Skills in data analysis and interpretation for public health metrics and health surveillance.

To review additional examples of duties and essential job functions, as well as necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position, please view here .

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted by the final filing date will be reviewed with those judged most qualified progressing further in the selection process; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, a Qualifications Appraisal may be administered.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 5/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

County of Mendocino

707-234-6600