Deputy Director of Public Health

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a career opportunity within the Director’s Office.

The mission of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is to serve Montanans in their communities by improving health, safety, and well-being, and empowering independence. DPHHS administers a wide range of public health and human services programs and employs approximately 3,000 people. Programs and operations are organized into four functional areas under the Department Director. Each area is headed by a leader who provides executive leadership and oversees operations, and coordinates objectives and outcomes with the Department Director, to whom this position directly reports.

This position is the Deputy Director for Public Health, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of Montana’s public health infrastructure and programs. The Deputy Director for Public Health provides executive leadership of the Public Health and Safety Division, encompassing comprehensive public health services including communicable disease prevention and control, chronic disease prevention, environmental health, emergency preparedness and response, health promotion, vital records and statistics, laboratory services, and population health initiatives.

This position oversees the Public Health and Safety Division Administrator. The Deputy Director for Public Health serves on the Director’s executive leadership team. This position is responsible for ensuring the integration and alignment of public health activities with the Department’s Medicaid and Health Services operations and other health and human services programs to achieve optimal population health outcomes and maximize federal funding opportunities.

Our mission at DPHHS is serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence. By joining our department, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents.

The State of Montana’s comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, work/life balance, and eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In addition, DPHHS is the largest state agency with a wide range of advancement opportunities whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience.

• Comprehensive knowledge of public health principles, practices, and the 10 Essential Public Health Services including assessment, policy development, assurance, epidemiology, disease surveillance, prevention strategies, and population health approaches.
• Knowledge of governmental structure, functions, programs, and organizational relationships and the laws, rules, and regulations that govern public health operations and Medicaid and Health Services programs in the State of Montana.
• Understanding of Medicaid policy, financing mechanisms, and opportunities for integrating public health activities with Medicaid programs to achieve population health goals and maximize federal funding.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives that integrate public health programs with clinical care delivery, Medicaid services, and health systems to create coordinated approaches for disease prevention, health promotion, and population health management.
• Knowledge of federal public health programs, cooperative agreements, and funding mechanisms including CDC, HRSA, EPA, and other federal partners, as well as federal-state Medicaid financing and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of public administration including the legislative process, rule making procedures, and management of programs with statewide impact on population health.
• Excellent public speaking and communication skills to represent the Department on public health matters, provide testimony, and educate diverse audiences about public health issues and policies.
• Ability to build effective networks and partnerships with local health departments, tribal health programs, healthcare systems, Medicaid…