The Public Health Director is appointed by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County’s Board of Health. This position is responsible for the leadership and management of a complex metropolitan public health department with the purpose of assuring the successful achievement of the department's vision, mission, and program objectives. The Director promotes and supports population health in Metro Nashville Davidson County by providing senior management, leadership and public health expertise and promotes individual and population public health by delivering essential services within a variety of settings. The position is also charged with ensuring compliance with a broad range of current local health and environmental codes, regulations and policies and participating in multi-faceted community health and environmental projects. The Director provides mentoring, supervision and technical assistance to staff. The work is performed under the direction of the Board of Health.

The Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) serves the city-county jurisdiction of Nashville and Davidson County which includes urban, suburban, and rural areas. The work of the department is organized into eight bureaus (Administration, Community Health, Environmental Health, Clinical Services, Communicable Disease, and Emergency Preparedness, Health Equity, and Population Health) and the Director of Health’s office. The MPHD workforce is composed of approximately 500 highly diverse and skilled employees working in 45 programs across six community locations. MPHD also partners with organizations across public, nonprofit, and private sectors in multiple capacities to promote and improve the community’s health. MNPD functions as convener, coordinator, and facilitator of multiple partnership coalitions that focus on leveraging and aligning local resources for community health improvement. The work of the department is guided by the 10 Essential Public Health Services that describe the essential functions of public health and the actions that public health departments provide to ensure safe, healthy, and vibrant communities.

The Health Director performs a variety of essential functions within the framework of Metro Public Health Department and serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Board of Health. 

• Provides operational leadership for the department ensuring standards are met or exceeded.
• Provides strategic leadership to improve the effectiveness of public health programs and achieve department goals.
• Assures that the delivery of public health services is evidence-based and builds the scientific basis of public health. Immunizations, Family Planning, Communicable Diseases, WIC, Cancer Control.
• Educates local and state policy makers and community stakeholders on public health issues.
• Educates the public about current and emerging health issues using multiple methodologies effectively, professionally, and inclusively engaging with diverse populations.
• Acts as liaison for Health Department with other departments, agencies, committees, and individuals; promotes community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.
• Models informed and engaged public health advocacy.
• Conducts thorough analysis and assessment of services provided and emerging trends that affect the public’s health.
• Ensures Metro Public Health Department compliance with relevant state public health practice guidelines, community standards of care, and Federal and State laws and regulations.
• Oversees financial planning and management for the department.

Full position profile available online - https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Executive_Search_Metro_Public_Health_Director.pdf

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements include Master's Degree or higher (or equivalent) in Public Health, Public Administration, Government, Public Policy, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, or related healthcare or environmental field or Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy and must have eight (8) years of experience in public health and minimum of four (4) years of management and administration experience.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Management experience within a metropolitan public health department or similar organization.
• Demonstrated proficiency in human relations, problem solving, conflict resolution, negotiation, decision making, critical and analytical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the principles of mentoring, peer advising and coaching for public health workforce development.
• Demonstrated proficiency in assuring that cultural, social, and behavioral factors play a significant role in the accessibility, availability, and delivery of public health services.
• Demonstrated diplomacy and sensitivity in communicating with elected officials.

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.

Requests for ADA accommodation for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.

About Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County

Nashville is a thriving, vibrant city in an enormous growth period. It’s the capital of Tennessee, the county seat of Davidson County, and the state’s largest city. At nearly 700,000 residents and counting, Nashville is the 21st largest city in the United States. In recent years, Nashville has become a destination for large scale corporate expansion and relocation. Between the booming economy, vibrant cultural life, unique neighborhoods, and great people working to make the city even greater, Nashville is well-positioned to maintain its success as a first-class U.S. city and ascend even further. Nashville is a place that understands its past and eagerly anticipates its future. Visitors come to learn about country music and civil rights history while enjoying great restaurants, museums, and of course, Honky Tonks. Residents enjoy the neighborhoods, abundant parks and green space, great schools, and an eclectic mix of small businesses. There is truly something for everyone in Nashville. Nashville is a diverse and international city that includes a large and prominent African American community as well as significant Latino, Kurdish, Middle Eastern, African, and Latino communiti...es. Students from more than 130 countries are educated in Metro Nashville Public Schools, and Nashville is the proud home to multiple historically Black colleges and universities including Tennessee State University, Fisk University, and Meharry Medical College. As the state’s capital, Nashville is home to the state government. It’s also home to the Tennessee Titans, Nashville SC soccer team, and the Nashville Predators. Health care, tech, and higher education dominate the industry here with major employers including Vanderbilt University & Medical Center, HCA Health, Bridgestone North America, and Asurion. Oracle recently announced its plans to relocate its Global Headquarters to Nashville.

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