Assistant Director of Public Health for Nursing and Behavioral Health

The Town of Needham seeks a creative and collaborative public health leader to fill the role ofAssistant Director of Public Health for Nursing and Behavioral Health. Under the leadership of the Director of Health and Human Services the Assistant Director develops policies and refines operating procedures spearheads all vaccine administration and outbreak investigation efforts manages two teams of substance use prevention professionals (one Needham specific the other regional) oversees all maintenance and revision of public health records manages nurses and volunteers in their clinical work and provides community outreach and training on a variety of health-related topics.

This position directly manages a team of six full-time and one part-time staff members and indirectly manages one full-time and four part-time staff members along with roughly 12 per diem/substitute Public Health Nurses two to three interns per year and roughly 48 health and medical emergency volunteers as the Towns Medical Reserve Corps lead.

This leadership role is ideal for individuals who wish to continue their career in public health in a supportive environment with excellent benefits including comprehensive health benefits Contributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan 457(b) Deferred Compensation with employer match employer-paid training and professional development and much more!

CON #25071

Specific position functions among others include:
Financial and Managerial

• Help to set the Mission Vision and Values of the Public Health Division.
• Foster a culture of continuous quality improvement and embrace a performance management approach to program oversight.
• Develop and refine the HHS Department and the Public Health Divisions goals and objectives and create long range strategic plans and one-year action plans
• Manage and support the development of programs projects staff members and volunteers.
• Assists with the development and administration of the divisions operating and capital budgets.
• Prepares monthly and annual reports conducts detailed policy analyses researches policies and regulations and drafts case for change memoranda.

• Directs the team which conducts communicable disease investigation surveillance and case management in connection with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) using the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network (MAVEN). May occur on a 24x7 basis in emergency circumstances.
• Determines vaccination program priorities and leads a team of nurses to manage vaccine administration through the MDPH MIIS system; the Assistant Director is ultimately responsible for the handling storage and overall quality control of vaccines and other medications annually.
• Directs the implementation of vaccination clinics in response to disease outbreaks managing and organizing large staff of part-time per diem and volunteer nurses and other health professionals.
• Manages nurses and volunteers in their clinical work on a regular basis overseeing and performing a variety of public health nursing duties including the delivery of health screening programs and wellness clinics for residents and employees as well as maintenance and revision of public health records.
• Assesses reports of food poisoning and carries out activities necessary for protection of the community including investigating outbreaks traced to public eating establishments; inspecting and issuing licenses for a variety of childrens programs including camps for children toddlers and infants; and coordinating inspection and licensure of body art and tanning facilities.

• Provides outreach and education regarding health-related topics to community-based agencies health care facilities and providers individuals and groups.
• Collaborates with first responder agencies and municipal departments as an active member of the Towns emergency management team managing the training exercising and deployments of Needhams Medical Reserve Corps volunteers.
• Directs the Needham Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program and the provision of CPR/AED training classes for Town of Needham employees and volunteers.
• Serves as Co-Chair on Needhams Domestic Violence Action Committee (DVAC) and is responsible for managing staff members who support a number of other committees and working groups including the Substance Prevention Alliance of Needham (SPAN) the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention (NCSP) and regional four-town MassCALL3 substance use prevention group.
• Represents the Town by preparing cases for court and presenting reports to the Board of Health at monthly meetings.

The following requirements may be substituted by any equivalent combination of education training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge skills and abilities to perform the job:

• Completion of graduate coursework equal to a Masters Degree or higher.
• Four (4) to six (6) years of related experience.
• Possession of a valid state-issued drivers license.
• Active and valid credential as a Certified Health Officer (CHO) at the time of hire or the ability to achieve certification within one year of hire.
• Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Active and valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification or the ability to achieve certification within one year of hire.
• Ability to maintain discretion as it pertains to confidential information including but not limited to medical and communicable disease records pending public health-related lawsuits criminal investigations and other sensitive information.
• Ability to supervise and motivate a dynamic staff that provides a broad spectrum of services.
• Skill in analyzing quantitative and qualitative data and presenting findings clearly in written and oral forms.
• Evening and weekend availability as needed.

• Active and valid certification as an instructor in CPR is highly preferred or the ability to achieve certification within one year of hire.
• Evidence of additional graduate-level (beyond the Masters degree level) course work or continuing professional education in the fields of public health nursing community health or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Documentation of cross-training in other public health functions especially through certifications or credentials (such as SERV Safe Food Training) is strongly preferred.

To apply please submit your resume cover letter and application by clicking Apply.

Applications will be accepted until11:59 PM on June 23 2025.

The Town of Needham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and encouraging workplace. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race age gender national origin disability religion or belief sexual orientation marriage/civil partnership pregnancy/maternity veteran status or any other protected class. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.

The Town of Needham will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview please contact us at.