Associate Director of Disease Prevention

Augusta, ME | Public Health | Full-time | Partially remote

Apply by: Feb. 10, 2025

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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)Public Service Manager IIOpening Date:January 28, 2025Closing Date: February 10, 2025Job Class Code:MA 32Grade:32 (Confidential)Salary:$77,896.00 - $110,073.60 per yearPosition Number:02031-2309Location: Augusta

This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This opportunity allows partial telework with management approval.

The Maine CDC Division of Disease Prevention is looking for an Associate Director to provide leadership for the Division’s multiple programs and services. This leadership will enable the Division to provide evidence-based prevention programming with a focus on primary prevention, community partnerships, resilient communities, and community-led solutions.

As the Director of Disease Prevention, you will be providing leadership for programs charged with public health interventions to support healthier Maine people related to maternal and child health; women, infants and children’s nutrition; chronic disease prevention and control; and tobacco and substance use prevention and control. You will direct the integration and coordination of these diverse activities as necessary to implement program policies and initiatives in support of the goals of the Maine CDC and the Department. You will provide strategic direction and oversight of programs within the division, while taking into consideration the requirements of the multiple funding sources under your purview.

Core Responsibilities:

As the Director of the DDP team, your core responsibilities will include:

• Lead, plan, organize, and coordinate division operations, staff, contractors, and functions to establish and implement operational priorities and ensure defined objectives, policies, procedures and standards are maintained.

• Assure the division is executing responsibilities and working toward achieving outcomes as they relate to the State Health Improvement Plan, grant award conditions and contractual agreements.

• Ensure coordination of all division activities, both collective and program specific, through work with supervisors to ensure quality planning and implementation using a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to address prioritized public health issues.

• Conduct division-wide strategic planning to align division and program efforts with national best practices, priorities or performance measures associated with available funding, and emerging needs within Maine.

• Provide fiscal and administrative oversight of the division.

• Provide contract management for the division’s workplan in the Maine CDC epidemiology services contract.

• Develop and implement division policies and procedures.

• Ensure collaboration throughout the division and across division/program areas of the Maine CDC and other offices of DHHS, as appropriate.

• Provide staff development and supervise program staff including hiring, performance management, coaching, and personnel actions, as necessary.

• Lead initiatives that involve significant stakeholder input, ensuring successful implementation by addressing concerns, managing expectations, and fostering buy-in.

• Represent Maine CDC and DHHS on relevant committees and work groups as needed and appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

A twelve (12) year combination of education, training and experience comprised of an advanced degree in a public health related field of study and at least six (6) years of professional experience in public health that includes significant program administration experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Strong leadership, communication, and management experience are essential. You must have at least 8 years of direct experience leading a team or teams of people to successfully achieve objectives and goals.

Preferred candidates will also have:

• Communication skills - excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to effectively balance competing priorities and achieve consensus

• Subject matter expertise - knowledge and experience with primary prevention, particularly in the areas of chronic disease, tobacco and substance use; knowledge and experience with administration of programming and services focusing on women and children

• Supervisory experience - experience overseeing management or supervisory level staff

• Budget management experience – development and tracking of multimillion-dollar, multiple funding source budget

• Grants and contracts management experience - knowledge and experience with State of Maine grants administration and management, contracting, and budgeting.

• Advanced management skills – demonstrated ability to independently delegate tasks appropriately and hold staff accountable for deadlines, quality of work, as well as lead challenging conversations both internally and externally

• Relationship development skills - the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of internal and external partners

• Data synthesis - ability to gather, synthesize, and summarize a variety of information for decision-making, program planning, and general awareness

Thinking about applying?

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Agency information:

TheDepartment of Health and Human Services (https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/) (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

Application Information:

*To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application.

Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.

For additional information about this position please contact Nancy Beardsley, Deputy Director, Maine CDC at Nancy.Beardsley@Maine.gov

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.Hernandez@Maine.gov

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays , 12 days of sick leave , and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receivesix weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-employees/workplace-posters) .

  State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits) , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) .

  Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.