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Communicable Disease Program and Service Director

Multnomah County
locationPortland, OR, USA
PublishedPublished: 10/18/2025
Leadership / Executive Board
Full Time
$106,057.90 - $159,087.14

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$106,057.90 - $159,087.14 Annual

Department:

Health Department

Job Type:

Regular Non-Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

October 30, 2025


The Opportunity:

This Work Matters!

We seek leaders, achievers and doers who bring skill and passion to a challenging and evolving environment. At the Multnomah County Health Department we are all inspired by the mission: We work with communities to advance health equity, protect the most vulnerable, and promote health and wellness for everyone and we uphold the values: Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity and Integrity. We create a culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse population we serve in our communities.

This executive-level leadership position oversees the Communicable Disease, TB, HIV, Harm Reduction, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) programs, including disease investigation and clinic services. The core mission of these programs is to establish an equitable system of health promotion, prevention, and care that empowers individuals, enhances quality of life, and reduces the incidence of communicable diseases, STIs, HIV, overdose, and other drug-related harm. As the visionary leader, this position is responsible for setting the strategic direction and designing quality improvement initiatives to ensure that program goals, objectives, and performance measures are achieved.

This role involves defining the strategic direction for services, managing an operating budget exceeding $11.25 million, and monitoring the performance of subordinate managers to ensure the fulfillment of goals, objectives, and performance measures. The position represents the department at both State of Oregon and regional decision-making forums. Operating within a highly visible and politically complex environment, the program actively engages the community in the design and evaluation of its services. Through consistent engagement with external stakeholders, this position cultivates an understanding of public health goals, implements effective program interventions that adapt to the evolving needs of affected populations, and fosters integration among public health, behavioral health, and community-based programs.

The incumbent is also responsible for responding to public health emergencies and other large-scale events with public health implications. A key aspect of this role is to foster a work culture of respect, trust, and understanding for the highly diverse populations served by the Health Department, both in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility of promptly reporting any conduct that undermines a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

As the Communicable Disease Program and Service Director, your tasks will include:

Program Leadership

  • Provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for program areas.
  • Directs the administration of Communicable Disease, TB, STI, HIV, Harm Reduction, and STI disease investigation and clinic services.
  • Reviews and evaluates disease morbidity data to identify trends and disparities.
  • Establishes frameworks for assessing service effectiveness and quality improvement.
  • Analyzes resource distribution and program organization for efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
  • Incorporates change management and systems linkage for effective business strategies.
  • Develops and evaluates health equity goals, objectives, and strategies.

Financial and Human Resource Management

  • Sets, directs, and evaluates fiscal priorities and resources.
  • Ensures proper auditing systems, data collection, and analytical tools are in place for effective program management and resource efficiency.
  • Authorizes expenditures in compliance with county rules, reviews expenditure reports, and approves resource redistribution.
  • Directs recruitment, orientation, evaluation, and retention of a culturally competent workforce.
  • Ensures appropriate balance of staff resources to achieve performance measures and meet grant requirements.
  • Advises and consults with subordinate managers on employee performance and conflict resolution.
  • Assures implementation of the Workforce Equity Strategic Plan.

Coordination of Internal Resources

  • Evaluates service quality and impact through data analysis and community input.
  • Problem-solves crossover issues and ensures consistent direction.
  • Explores innovative methods for internal resource utilization and leads departmental changes.
  • Guides the development of new resources, including grant funding applications.

External Partnerships

  • Represents Public Health, Harm Reduction, Sexual Health, HIV, and Communicable Disease issues in system building and public policy development.
  • Develops and maintains relationships with external public and private agencies and organizations.
  • Provides expert consultation to external public health agencies, committees, and officials.
  • Works with coalitions to advocate for public policy change that improves healthy communities and health equity.

Equity Leadership in Division/Department

  • Champions intersectional health equity, centering race and dismantling institutional white dominance.
  • Identifies historical and current social stratification processes, experiences, environments, and mechanisms that perpetuate health disparities and assign social advantage/disadvantage.
  • Considers the interaction of social determinants of health with racism-related toxic stress and other axes of oppression.
  • Participates in Public Health Executive Leadership to identify and implement a coordinated, comprehensive public health equity plan.
  • Develops and adapts assets, resources, and relationships to address social environmental determinants of health.
  • Participates in community assessment, strategic planning, policy development, and service coordination to address public and environmental health initiatives and emerging issues.

Diversity and Inclusion:At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a Health Department employee you will create a work culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

  • Education: equivalent to a bachelor's degree and
  • Experience/training: three (3) to six (6) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Preferred Qualifications/ Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

  • Advanced understanding of addressing systems of racial bias and institutional inequity that impacts the Health Department workforce and the communities they serve
  • Plan, organize, manage and administer all services, programs and functions
  • Develop, administer and monitor budgets and oversee staffing and resource needs
  • Represent the county to the public, elected officials, other agencies, governments and organizations for significant matters related to the department
  • Provide direction, guidance, and leadership to staff to advance the department’s mission within the organization and throughout the community
  • Lead the development and implementation of strategies, business plans, programs, ordinances, policies, procedures, decisions and other actions that further the delivery of qualified health services
  • Develop strategies for fostering community support and awareness for health projects and work closely and effectively with community leaders, diverse communities, and neighborhood and special interest groups
  • Highly skilled in working in a complex, political environment
  • Skilled in identifying solutions towards dismantling institutional / systemic racial and gender oppression
  • Principles and practices of effective leadership, staff selection, training, supervision, administrative performance management, and positive motivational techniques
  • Principles and practices used in operational management, government / public sector management, budget and finance, contract / grant management, applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and / or statute

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experiences that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION:

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

  • Initial review of minimum qualifications
  • An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
  • Consideration of top candidates/interviews
  • Background, reference, and education checks

Pay Equity:Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

The Application Packet: You must submit all requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

  • A completed online application.
  • A resume that explains all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in your resume.
  • A cover letter that expands on your resume, addressing how you qualify for the position, why you are interested in the role, and how you will apply an equity lens in this role.

Note: The application, resume, and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/ skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview.

Please be mindful of checking your email inbox for messages from the Recruiter as you may be emailed requesting additional information. If a response is not received in a timely manner your application may not be considered.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Type of Position: This salaried position is not eligible for overtime.

Type: Not-Represented Management

FLSA: Exempt

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, some weekends and evenings

Location: Gladys McCoy Building @ 619 NW 6th Ave Portland, OR 97209

Hybrid Telework:This position is designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will be working both remotely (from home) and in person at an onsite location. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. The onsite work location for this position is Gladys McCoy Building @ 619 NW 6th Ave Portland, OR 97209.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters:

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit theDisaster Service Worker Informationpage.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Jon Marquardt

Email:

jon.m.marquardt@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (503) 9888647 x88647

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

9365 - Manager Senior

Salary range

  • $106,057.90 - $159,087.14