Position Summary
The Portage County Health District (PCHD) works to protect and improve the health and well-being of all residents through prevention, education, partnerships, and data driven public health programs.
We are seeking a collaborative and experienced public health leader to serve as our Director of Environmental Health.
The Director of Environmental Health provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for environmental health programs at the Portage County Health District. This position supervises environmental health staff, manages division operations and budgets, and works closely with PCHD leadership, community partners, and regulatory agencies to ensure the delivery of high-quality environmental health services.
The Director serves as a key member of the agency leadership team and helps identify emerging community environmental health needs while implementing programs aligned with the agency mission.
Job Description:
• Provide leadership and management of environmental health programs in accordance with State of Ohio regulations and public health best practices.
• Supervise environmental health staff including hiring recommendations, training, work assignments, performance evaluations, and professional development.
• Manage division budgets and assist in developing cost methodologies to support program operations.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to the Health Commissioner, local governments, businesses, and community stakeholders on environmental health issues.
• Identify community environmental health needs and implement data driven programs and solutions.
• Assist staff with inspections and environmental health investigations as needed.
• Support and contribute to Portage County Health District initiatives and public health programs and services, including program implementation, compliance, and reporting as applicable.
• Collaborate with the Community Health, Nursing, Administration and Finance Divisions in the planning, development, and implementation of programs, services and initiatives.
• Participate in Board of Health meetings and leadership briefings as needed, preparing and presenting reports, program updates, and recommendations related to environmental health programs, services, and public health priorities.
• Serve in leadership roles supporting emergency preparedness and agency accreditation initiatives.
• Act as a public health liaison to community boards, advisory councils, coalitions, and committees to strengthen partnerships and improve health outcomes.
• Participate in public health emergency response activities as required. All employees of the Portage County Health District have a role in emergency response and may be called upon to assist in response efforts that protect the health of the community.
• Perform other duties as assigned. This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may change based on organizational needs.
Organizational Duties:
- Participate in quality improvement team projects and quality improvement training initiatives as applicable/ required and incorporate the principles of quality improvement into daily work activities.
- Participate in public health emergency response activities as needed, including roles within the Incident Command System/National Incident Management System.
- All health district employees have an emergency response role and may be expected to respond to threats to the public’s health in accordance with the Portage County Combined General Health District Emergency Response Plan.
- Attend and participate in agency-sponsored training, events, and activities.
- Gather and organize documents to fulfill public records requests and other reporting obligations.
- Participate in organizational activities that support and enhance agency accreditation.
- Maintain reasonable and reliable attendance to meet organizational needs and objectives.
- Implement performance management and evidenced-based practice evaluations of mandated and non-mandated programs.
- Provide and support opportunities for reporting staff to participate in quality improvement team projects and quality improvement training initiatives and ensure incorporation of the principles of quality improvement into their daily work activities.
