Position Description

Harris County Public Health has earned the 2023 Best Place for Working Parents Business Designation

About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 700 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

The Veterinary Public Health (VPH) Director is responsible for providing leadership, oversight, and operational management to the VPH Division. The VPH Director will lead the development & implementation of prevention and control efforts for zoonotic diseases as well as related animal issues especially as they impact the community's health (i.e., appoints HCPH local Rabies Control Authority). The VPH Director will serve as a key member of the Harris County Public Health executive team.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• 
  Collaborates with the Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Evaluation.
• Develops robust and comprehensive system of zoonotic disease surveillance and analytics which allow for monitoring of local zoonotic diseases and their impact on human health.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with relevant local, state, and federal agencies.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of sound and effective zoonosis control plans.
• Assures all pertinent federal, state, and local laws and rules are interpreted and applied appropriately through VPH programming including in enforcement, field work, complaint response, etc.
• Serves as local Rabies Control Authority within Harris County to ensure optimal rabies control & compliance with rabies laws.
• Leads development of implementation plans, execution of initiatives, and participation of VPH in aligning with overall organizational strategic efforts.
• Develops effective working relationships with professional organizations, humane societies, civic groups, media, governmental agencies, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• 
  Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Public Health, Animal, Natural or Behavioral Science, or other related field
• At least seven (7) years of administration, management and or supervisory experience in veterinary public health, veterinary practice, shelter, or related field
• At least ten (10) years of Leadership experience

Core Competencies:

• Ability to obtain and filter information, identify, and address key issues relevant to the achievement of strategic organizational goals
• Exceptional project management skills to manage a variety of projects simultaneously
• Positively influence all levels within the organization to drive change and enable effective coordination
• Ability to create strong, positive working relationships
• Previous experience building and managing high performance teams
• High-level of flexibility in fast-paced environments
• Must be a Systems-level thinker
• Proactive, self-motivated, and mission-driven
• Progressive, intrapreneurial leadership style to enable systemic change

Leading Change

• Creates strategic change within and outside the organization to meet organizational goals
• Develops new insights into situations, encourages new ideas and innovations
• Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others, acts as a catalyst for organizational change
• Deals effectively with pressure; remains optimistic and persistent even under adversity.
• Recovers quickly from setbacks

Leading People

• Fosters an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
• Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods
• Fosters and inspires team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
• Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Anticipates and meets the needs of internal and external customers
• Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions

Building Coalitions

• Develops networks and builds alliances, collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships
• Identifies external and internal politics that impact the work of the organization

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner and models high standards
• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses

Communication

• Communicates clearly, effectively, and persuasively both orally and in writing
• Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

• Encourage a respectful and collaborative work environment that recognizes and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Identify inequitable practices and policies and assist in implementing strategies to ensure equitable outcomes
• Demonstrate awareness and respect of cross-cultural differences and create inclusive programmatic solutions
• Practice cultural humility to build honest relationships with co-workers and the community that will ultimately enhance workplace culture and deliver better community health program

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information

Location

• 
  Harris County Veterinary Public Health (612 Canino Road, 77076)

Work Environment

• This job operates in an animal shelter, animal clinic and professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines as well as medical equipment.

Salary:

• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

Physical Demands

• Some sedentary duties and some duties would require lifting of heavy animals, bending stooping and long periods of standing/walking.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• Full-Time
• 40 hours a week
• Some Saturday and Sunday "on-call" shifts may be required.

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
• 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.