Strengthening Families Division Director

Salary : $121,846.40 - $156,873.60 Annually
Location : Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA
Job Type: Appointive
Job Number: 2025-0036
Division: Strengthening Families
Program: SF - Administration
Opening Date: 04/08/2025
Closing Date: 5/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Summary
Do you enjoy working closely with a diverse group of colleagues, community leaders, and partner organizations to help improve the health of our community? Are you skilled and experienced in Parent, Child, and Family Health programs? Do you have strong contract and budget monitoring skills? If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply for the Division Director position in the Strengthening Families Division. This is an Appointive, Full-time (1.0 FTE) position. The Division Director is the executive leader for the Strengthening Families Division. This position is a member of the Health Department's Leadership Team, reports to the Director of Public Health, and shares responsibility for strategic planning and leadership of the agency.
Some of What You'll Do:

• The Division Director leads and manages the Strengthening Families Division, which includes but is not limited to these programs:
  
  • Parent, Child and Family Health (e.g., Black Infant Health, Nurse Family Partnership, Family Support Partnership, Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs).
  • Behavioral and Emotional Health (e.g., youth substance use, child social emotional learning & wellness, child death review team, injury prevention, opioid prevention and response).
  • Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Services (e.g., clinical services to provide methadone and substance use disorder counseling).
• Administer and monitor a budget of approximately $15 million, manage the work of approximately 65 FTEs, and oversee more than 100 contracts, partnerships, agreements and grants.
• Develop a strategic vision for the Division that aligns with the Department's Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan, broad public health goals and the interests of the Board of Health and the community.
• Collaborate with funders and stakeholders to obtain sustainable funding to achieve the identified goals and objectives.
• Convene and facilitate internal and external groups to improve collaboration and achieve goals.
• Plan, organize, lead and direct staff in development, implementation and evaluation of program objectives, strategies and work plans.
• Create, model and support a work culture that values learning, assessment and continuous improvement. Empower staff to make changes that improve productivity, customer services and outcomes. Use creativity, past learning and solid reasoning to find solutions to complex problems.
• Develop and routinely track Division budgets to ensure that revenues and expenditures are within established parameters and that the desired outcomes are being met.
• Develop and implement strategies for new revenue that align with agency strategic goals and community interests.
• Ensure that business functions are completed in an efficient, effective and innovative ways including Requests for Proposals, grant proposals and applications, contract deliverables, cooperative agreements with community and other governmental agencies, identify and manage risk issues associated with program and staffing requirements.
• Ensure the Division programs comply with Federal, State and local laws/regulations as well as Departmental policies and procedures.
• Develop, evaluate and update policies, incorporate policies into program plans and structures, analyze results.
• Lead, manage, mentor and coach staff. Responsible for supervision of direct reports. Inspire others to take responsibility for innovation and quality in achieving core public health goals and division business functions.
• Model and support the Department's value for health equity and diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Use the Just Cause principles to address and resolve job performance concerns.
• Develop and maintain structures that support employee safety.
• Participate as an active member of the management and leadership team.
• Serve as a media spokesperson as needed.
• The work you do might require you to participate in the Title XIX Medicaid Claiming Program.
• Performs related duties as required.

Click here for a detailed *See Division Director*
What you bring to the table

• Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others; influences others to translate that vision into action.
• Uses current research and knowledge in the field to shape the vision and direction of the Division.
• Understands and keeps current on local, national and international policies and trends that affect the organization and shape stakeholder's views; is aware of the organization's impact on the external environment.
• Distinguishes and facilitates the role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in the development of partnerships and delivery of community health services through the participation of key stakeholders.
• Facilitates collaboration and partnerships to ensure participation of key stakeholders and improve public health.
• Assesses and responds to the cultural, social, and behavioral factors that play a significant role in the accessibility, availability, and delivery of public health services.
• Uses past knowledge and experience to respond flexibly to a changing business, political and financial environment.
• Uses systemic processes to identify connections and seek opportunities that will fill identified public health gaps.
• Supports and promotes team building, group facilitation, leadership, and development of supervisory trust and capacity within the Division, across the Department, and among community partners.
• Models the principles of mentoring, peer advising and coaching for public health workforce development.
• Applies communication and group dynamic strategies in interactions with individuals and groups and incorporates strategies for interacting with persons from diverse backgrounds.
• Communicates in writing and orally, in person, and through electronic means, with linguistic and cultural proficiency; Communicates clearly and convincingly to individuals and groups; listens effectively; clarifies information as needed; facilitates an open exchange of ideas between employees at all levels of the organization.
• Apply public health principles; apply knowledge of public health interventions, laws, regulations and policy processes; implement best practices.
• Use cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-utility analysis in programmatic prioritization and decision making.
• Negotiate for key community resources and assets and support public health and programmatic goals.
• Is open to change, adapts to shifting circumstances or unexpected obstacles.
• Consistently understands and acts in ways accountable to employment laws and regulations, agency policies and procedures; leads effective response to emergency situations. Provides or allows access to formal and informal learning opportunities designed to improve employees' skills and enhance their contribution to the organization. Understands and incorporates various learning styles; takes steps to create a culture of continuous learning. Sets clear, realistic and achievable goals for employees; actively monitors employee performance and provides both positive and constructive feedback to create a culture of continuous improvement; participates fully in the organization's review and appraisal process.
• Establishes an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion at the workplace; develops a diversity plan, strategies and implementation activities to support the initiative throughout the organization; advances understanding of the Department's value for health equity; serves as role model to staff on respecting differences across culture and diverse background, conditions and environment.
• Advance project management techniques to ensure timely delivery of Division projects.
• Advance facilitation techniques to bring together diverse perspectives to identify and achieve shared outcomes within a specific timeframe.
• Manages one's own time and the time of others to promote efficiency in the completion of work activities; supports employee efforts to prioritize tasks during heavy work periods. Plans the work realistically; organizes and monitors resources to deliver the product or services; understands, monitors, manages and is accountable to program or project expectations including budgets; sets visions, goals and objectives, and implements activities in direct support effectively communicates plans, expectations, updates and modifications.
• Proficient use of systems software, current accounting and financial systems technology.
• Facilitates meetings to achieve desired outcomes; employs techniques to ensure that meetings remain focused, enabling the team to accomplish objectives in a timely manner.

Job Specific Technical Skills:

• Experienced and effective communicator, including public speaking, advanced interpersonal communication skills and strong written communication abilities, including knowledge of and use of plain language skills.
• Knowledge and skills with recruitment, orientation, training, operational, evaluation, management, and supervision principles, methodologies, tools and techniques.
• Understanding and skills with human relations, problem solving, conflict resolution, negotiation, decision making, critical and analytical thinking.
• Knowledge of quality improvement principles and application of the appropriate program and public health standards.
• Skilled with applying relevant federal, state and local regulations and safety procedures for public health activities.
• Skill with program assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Skill with managing and working with operating budgets and advancing financial sustainability.

Who should apply

The items below are the requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values work experience, lived experience, and education and realizes that people take different paths to acquire knowledge.

A Bachelor's degree in public health, environmental health or related field; and eight years of progressively responsible managerial experience or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience. A Master's degree in a related field of study is preferred.

License and Other Requirements:

• Valid Washington State driver's license at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.
• Ability to successfully pass a background investigation

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work Setting:
Your office will be set up to provide personal safety, including social distancing, screening, sanitation, disinfection, and masks.

Tools and Equipment: Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g. desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.).

Physical Demands: Work involves dexterity enough to produce typed correspondence, file and operate standard office equipment.

Travel: Some travel is required, and is typically local or regional, to conduct business, or attend or provide training.

When public health responds to an emergency you may be assigned duties that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.

for more details on reasonable accommodations, safety, risk management and more.
Benefits
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department offers an excellent pay and benefits package, combined with the opportunity to provide innovative Public Health services to our community, making this a rewarding place to work!

Salary: Salary ranges are listed on the job announcement and are based on the unique skills, education, and experience for the position. Salary offers are typically made at the starting pay step and are reviewed annually. You will get an annual cost-of-living adjustment that increases the salary range as well as an annual step increase on your anniveristy date. All salary offers are subject to administrative approval.

Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance: The Department pays a significant portion of these premiums for employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and dependent children, with an FTE of .80 or greater. Employees with an FTE between .50 and .80 pay a pro-rated portion of their premiums. Medical, vision and dental coverage begins the first day of the month following date of hire.*

Life Insurance: The Department provides a term Life Insurance policy equal to the employee's annual salary, up to a maximum of $50,000.* Affordable voluntary, spouse, and dependent life insurance is also available.

Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD): The Department provides a base LTD policy which provides 40% income replacement for participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 180 days. Buy-Up LTD is available at group rates and provides 60% income replacement to participants who are unable to work due to illness or injury for greater than 90 days.

Retirement: Eligible employees participate in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (TERS). TERS is a defined retirement benefit plan funded by both the employee and the Department. We also have a 457 Deferred Compensation retirement program available which allows individuals to set aside a portion of their income on a tax deferred basis.

Additional Benefits include: Generous paid vacation**, sick, personal, and holiday leave**; Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA); Employee Assistance Program; On-site Fitness Center; Commute Trip Reduction program; Donated Leave Program; Direct Deposit; Service Awards; Safety Programs / Rewards, and Executive Benefits Plan.

*Temporary Employees (hired for greater than 3 months): The Department provides medical, dental, and vision benefits, $12,000 base life insurance effective the first of the month following 3 months of employment. **Paid vacation, sick leave and holiday leave accrual begin following 6 months of temporary employment.

Living in Tacoma-Pierce County:

Please Note:

• There may be restrictions to the above benefit programs or policies not listed. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
• Employee pay is distributed through Direct Deposit. For this reason, employees are required to have an open checking or savings account, at their choice of banking institutions, upon employment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. For assistance, contact our civil rights coordinator Darlene Mendoza, MJR, Office of Human Resources/Risk Management at or (253) 649-1660.
01

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in public health, environmental health or related field; and eight years of progressively responsible managerial experience or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Please indicate how you meet these requirements.

• I have a Master's degree in the specified or related fields and at least five years of the required experience.
• I have a Bachelor's degree in the specified or related fields and at least eight years of the required experience.
• I have less than the required education and experience.

02

How many years of experience do you have in the following area/program? Parent, Child and Family Health (e.g., Black Infant Health, Nurse Family Partnership, Family Support Partnership, Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs)

• 0-5 years
• 5-10 years
• 10+ years

03

How many years of experience do you have in the following area/program?Behavioral and Emotional Health (e.g., youth substance use, child social emotional learning & wellness, child death review team, injury prevention, opioid prevention and response).

• 0-5 years
• 5-10 years
• 10+ years

04

How many years of experience do you have in the following area/program?Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Services (e.g., clinical services to provide methadone and substance use disorder counseling).

• 0-5 years
• 5-10 years
• 10+ years

05

Do you have experience developing and managing a large budget?

• Yes
• No

06

What is the largest budget you have ever managed? Please describe your budget development and management philosophy. If you do not have experience managing a budget, please indicate N/A.
07

Please indicate how many employees you have managed at one time.

• 0-5 employees
• 5-10 employees
• 10-25 employees
• 25-50 employees
• 50+ employees

08

This position requires proof of a valid driver's license and acceptable driver's abstract prior to employment. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question