Position Summary
The Deputy Health Commissioner position is the second most senior position in the department, reporting directly to and advising the Health Commissioner. Together with the Health Commissioner, the Deputy Health Commissioners oversee the department’s 13 programmatic divisions, each addressing different diseases, populations, and health risks. The specific areas of responsibility overseen by this Deputy Health Commissioner position will be based in part on the experience and interest of the most highly qualified candidate.
It is the responsibility of the Deputy Health Commissioners to coordinate and look for synergies among the different divisions under their direction, and to develop the public health strategy that will enable the entire department to fulfill its mission of protecting and promoting the health of all Philadelphians. The position reports to the Health Commissioner and works closely with the other Deputy Health Commissioners and division leadership teams. This role requires excellent supervisory, organizational, interpersonal communication skills and writing skills, as well as strong problem solving and analytical skills.
Essential Functions
Concentrating on these focus areas, the Deputy Health Commissioner will:
- Work with Division Directors to establish and oversee systems for data collection and analysis that provide insight needed to better prevent diseases and promote health.
- Work with Division Directors to develop strategies for prevention, including setting appropriate quantitative long-term goals and shorter-term objectives.
- Coordinate prevention strategies across the different focus areas.
- Oversee execution of these strategies, including establishing performance metrics and setting up systems for continuous quality improvement.
- Establish mechanisms for cooperation between Divisions and synergy in reducing risks and preventing health problems. For example: joint efforts by the Division of HIV Health, the Division of Disease Control, and the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction in reducing needle-sharing among injection drug users to prevent HIV and hepatitis C.
- Work with Division Directors to set budgets needed to execute these strategies, braiding funding from local, state, and federal sources, and monitor expenditures to ensure that they are within approved budgets.
- Serve, in rotation with others, as Incident Commander for public health emergencies.
- Communicate (orally, in writing, and through presentations) health risks and prevention strategies to the press, the public, and elected officials.
- Propose policies, where appropriate, that reduce health risks, and work with stakeholders on policy enactment and implementation.
- Serve as central advisor to the Health Commissioner on all public health problems and as a core member of the department’s Executive Team.
Company Description
A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What we offer
- Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
- Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
- Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
- Benefits - We care about your well-being.
Agency Description
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), with some 1000 staff and a budget of $350 million, promotes and protects the health of all Philadelphians and provides a safety net for the most vulnerable. PDPH leads programs to: prevent communicable diseases (including HIV, other STDs, tuberculosis, and vaccine-preventable diseases); prevent chronic diseases and injuries and promote healthy behaviors; prevent environmental health risks; investigate outbreaks of disease; respond to public health emergencies; and promote the health of women, children, and families. In addition, PDPH operates eight primary care clinics. Recently, PDPH has participated with other City agencies in responding to Philadelphia’s opioid crisis and to the COVID-19 pandemic. PDPH has been an innovator in public health, pursuing novel policies to prevent and mitigate disease and injury, and intends to continue that tradition with creative solutions to both long-standing urban health problems and new crises.
Required: Master’s in public health (doctoral preferred) with at least 5-10 years of experience managing governmental public health programs or Medical degree with at least 5 years of experience managing governmental public health programs, preferably in a senior role.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to lead and manage large organizations with diverse staff to work effectively toward a common goal.
- Ability to work with stakeholders within government and external to government to identify and achieve common objectives.
- Ability to use data and evidence to understand public health problems and ability to develop and articulate strategies based on that data and evidence to address public health risks.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with the press and represent the Department at public hearings.
