Public Health Planner

The Planner responsible to conduct research on and assists in the planning, development, modification, and implementation of agency and/or division policy and strategic plans. Implements and evaluates programs and initiatives in an assigned specialty area, particularly related to (EXAMPLE: tobacco and asthma) across the county, with a focus on ensuring health equity. Assists in preparing reports and presentations. Works with clients, partners, outside vendors, and management to develop or implement programs, initiatives, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes in a manner that addresses agency and community strategies. This position is designed to improve our local public health agency’s ability to perform foundational public health responsibilities. This position is responsible for implementing the required Local Public Health Activities that are organized according to the following areas: assuring adequate local public health infrastructure; promoting healthy communities and healthy behavior; preventing the spread of infectious disease; protecting against environmental health hazards; preparing for and responding to disasters and assisting communities in recovery; and assuring the quality and accessibility of health services.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Evaluations: Performs evaluations of public health programs and planning processes. Evaluates effectiveness of community programs, interventions, initiatives, plans, and policies designed to improve population health, and uses this information to develop plans to carry out public health objectives.
• Needs & Assets Assessments: Assesses the health needs and resources of Freeborn County residents. Conducts community health assessment (CHA) and/or health impact assessments in conjunction with community partners across all sectors. Contributes community health planning expertise to the community needs assessment process, health improvement goal setting, identification of public health policy and action options, program development, and creation of monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Program Planning: Leads community health planning initiatives, including the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Recommends and supports development of data-informed strategies and programs in alignment with evidence-based practices and the CHIP or other community initiatives. Assists in the development and implementation of the work plan to address goals, objectives, and strategies for improving health priorities identified by combining researched best-practices with community input. • Technical Assistance: Provides technical assistance for all agencies and community partners.
• Data: Ensures outcome measures are being collected and monitored. Assists in efforts to collect, analyze, interpret, and disseminate accurate, reliable data and information about factors that impact population health. Updates public health key performance indicators (KPIs) and business indicators at the county level. May analyze data, including statistical analysis.
• Community Partnerships: Involves community members, leaders, partner organizations, and constituents. Assists with development and implementation of community outreach and engagement activities and events that are designed to foster relationships and provide feedback to inform program (example: End the Epidemic) planning and activities. Works with community leaders and members as well as residents, funders, employers, businesses, appointed and elected local officials, and many others with the goal of equitably improving resident health, as measured by benchmarks set by health planning initiatives and other state and local plans and data sources. Works cooperatively with the leadership team and other staff, community partners, and state and federal officials.
• Public Speaking: Represents Freeborn County Health at community coalition meetings and contributes to coalition initiatives. Presents public health KPIs.
• Performance Management/Quality Improvement: Advances the County’s customer-centered culture principles, as well as Public Health’s mission, strategic plan and core values. Demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction for all customers. Assists with performance improvement efforts, including aiding in the facilitation and development of performance goals and measures across the agency. Designs and implements performance management/quality improvement processes, systems, communication strategies, and recognition activities.
• Policy: Recommends policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes to improve population health. Uses systems thinking to inform policy, environment, and systems level change. Recommends implementation of Health in All Policies related initiatives to public health staff or community partners, as well as modifications or improvements based on evaluation results.
• Preparedness: Assists with updating preparedness plans and preparedness drills, and participates in emergency preparedness activities with community partners as needed.
• Grant Writing and Grant Management: Writes applications for funding to support and enhance program needs. Participates in grants writing and submission efforts (e.g., CDC, NIH, PCORI, HRSA-SPNS) to increase funding for the work of the organization.
• Reports/Writing: Ensures monthly, quarterly, and annual program reports are submitted as required.
• Research: Assists in the management of grants, once obtained, including supporting development of protocols, completion of progress reports, as needed. Assists with and conducts literature reviews and efforts to summarize findings that can inform the provision of evidenced based, high-impact prevention training and technical assistance as well as quality improvement activities. Produces tables, reports, and presentations based on findings.
• Maintains current knowledge with rules, statues and regulations.
• Attends required trainings and meetings, including training in a wide variety of computer programs.
• Prepares for and responds to emergencies, events, and incidents, and assists in communities in recovery. Responds 24/7, as needed, during a public health emergency. • Participate in and promotes the culture of Quality Improvement within the Public Health Department.

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Considerable knowledge of public health system, medical terminology, and public health education.
• Knowledge of program development and community change theory and methods, and
• Knowledge of community health assessment and planning models, methods, tools, and techniques.
• Knowledge of epidemiology, social determinants of health, disease prevention, health promotion, behavioral change, and group process; data sources and basic epidemiologic, math and statistical terms; program planning implementation and evaluation.
• Understanding of theoretical frameworks that underpin hypotheses, as well as study design and study design methods.
• Knowledge of program subject matter (e.g., HIV prevention and treatment).
• Experience planning and implementing community-centered events, as well as planning and coordinating events, meetings, and presentations.
• Experience with academic, research, and/or grant writing.
• Knowledge of Public Health quality improvement, performance measurement, reporting of progress and quality improvement process guidelines, and PHAB Standards and Measures.
• Knowledge of principles, best practices, and approaches used in developing and implementing health promotion and marketing programs.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Data Privacy laws.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations for public health.
• Knowledge of available public and private community health and social service resources and their functions.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time productively.
• Skill in building trusting relationships with community partners, staff and public
• Skill in facilitating planning processes with diverse groups; planning, teamwork and organizational abilities; application of principles, practices, and theories of public health assessment and planning to health promotion, policy development, health improvement, and preparedness planning; qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis;
• Skill in communicating effectively and collaboratively with individuals and groups from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences;
• Skill in databases and spreadsheet usage; data queries and reports; usage of presentation and publisher software; excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication; developing SMART objectives.
• Skill in applying principles of quality assurance, quality improvement and evaluating program effectiveness.
• Performs functions to achieve the agency’s mission in areas of essential public health services and demonstrates foundational skills in the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals, especially in the data analytics and assessment skills, policy development/program planning, health equity, community partnerships, public health sciences, and leadership and systems thinking domains. • Ability to think creatively and collaborate effectively with internal and external partners.
• Ability to write and administer grants.
• Skill operating computers and relevant software
• Ability to apply work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how objectives are achieved.
• Ability to use analytical ability to adapt standard methods to fit conditions.

Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in public health, nursing, public policy, health administration, community health, health promotion, health education, community development, or a closely related field required. Specialized training, minor, or community health preferred. Master’s degree in public health or a related field highly desired. Prior experience in community health assessment and community health improvement planning highly desired.
• Two years of experience in public health or a closely related field required.

*****Completed applications along with cover letter and resume are due by 12:00 PM Friday, May 8th, 2026.

Salary range: $80,469 - $107,313 *****

Salary : $80,469 - $107,313