Community Health and Opioid Strategist

Pottawattamie County Public Health is hiring a Community Health and Opioid Strategist.  

Under general direction of the Administrator, responsible for oversight and coordination of all activities related to Pottawattamie County Public Health opioid activities, needs assessments and health improvement plans.  Procure and manage grants that address identified community needs.  

Responsible for alignment of community programs and outreach with the core public health functions and essential services.  Leads and supervises the Community Health Organizer and Health Educator positions.
Assist the Administrator in operation and coordination of the Community Health Division for the department. Lead, supervise and train Community Health Organizer and Health Educator positions. 

May attend and assist with meetings of the Board of Health and Board of Supervisors.

Coordinate community health goals and objectives that are outcome-based and linked to national and state health goals.

Compile, analyze and present statistical information regarding service delivery and historical trends to drive community health improvement activities.

Identify major health status and health service problems of the community and recommend the most effective and efficient means of intervening with appropriate cultural/social/political considerations.

Coordinate with Epidemiologist to provide actionable data to Public Health and the community with clear metrics to guide, focus, and assess the impact of prevention initiatives.  

Ensure oversight, coordination, development and implementation of PCPH’s needs assessments, environmental scans, surveys and health improvement plans. 

Monitor for grant funding opportunities and assist in the development of grant proposals, policies, processes, and work plans.

Responsible for oversight and implementation of appropriate health promotion grants including fiscal and activity alignment.

Ensure the delivery of appropriate training, education and presentations.

Participate in agency strategic planning process and facilitate as assigned.

Assist in the identification of potential systematic or other barriers to community health, determine impacts, and help shape the development of policy. 

Ensure PCPH has strong liaison relationships with members of community coalitions and other key individuals and agencies.

Represent PCPH through participation and/or a leadership role on external committees to provide information, guidance and assistance as deemed necessary by the Administrator.

Utilize a computer and related software programs to collect and analyze data from assessments, surveys or other sources; generate reports. 

Apply principles of ethical/legal practice as they relate to study design and data collection, dissemination, and use.

Maintains safe and secure use and storage of county equipment and vehicle. Ensure general vehicle preventive maintenance is performed. 

Attend national, state and local conferences and workshops. 

Perform other duties as directed or as the situation dictates.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, professional and effective working relationships with the public, supervisors, fellow employees, contract staff, outside agencies and organizations, government officials and other County departments.

Ability to communicate clearly, effectively and professionally in English, both orally and in writing.

Knowledge of effective public relations methods, principles, practices and communication.

Ability to develop, implement and evaluate effective public health promotion/prevention programs.

Ability to coordinate, develop and implement a community health needs assessment.

Ability to develop and implement strategic health plans.

Ability to assess and identify community health related issues.

Skills in developing and coordinating an outreach program.

Skilled in or willing to learn preparation of grant applications.

Ability to maintain the confidentiality of all departmental and client communications, documents and correspondence.

Ability to work independently, prioritize work, meet deadlines and make decisions using independent judgment.

Ability to recognize need for adjustment and demonstrate flexibility to meet scheduling and agency needs.

Ability to interact effectively with diverse populations representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests and points of view, including possible language/cultural barriers.

Ability to exercise leadership with tolerance and understanding as well as with appreciation and respect for the abilities and skills of others.

Ability to model professional behavior to peers and participants and to represent the department with a positive attitude, perform duties in a professional, responsible and trustworthy manner.

Ability to build, develop and lead a collaborative, high-performing team. 

Ability to effectively and tactfully handle and process complaints in a professional manner.

Ability to effectively and tactfully enforce codes and ordinances pertaining to role.

Knowledge of and ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to personal computer, copier/printer.

Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and local health policies and programs, and the laws on which they are based.  General knowledge of public health casework philosophy, methods and practices.

Thorough knowledge of community assessment and improvement planning functions, including data collection and analysis using standard methods.  Skilled in program evaluation with the ability to identify, implement or revise strategies to enhance outcomes. 



Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or other health-related field and four (4) years of related work experience or Master’s degree in Public Health.  Master’s degree preferred. 

Two (2) years of supervisory or management experience.

Must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of hire and shall maintain it throughout the course of employment.

Obtain Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 700 and 800 training, FEMA IS-2200 and bloodborne pathogen training within 6 months of employment.

Obtain CPR, BLS and Iowa HHS Child and Adult Abuse certifications and Community Outreach and Cultural Competency within 6 months of employment.

Certifications shall be maintained throughout the course of the employment.

Salary : $32 - $33