Chief Medical Director - Public Safety

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

Graduation from an accredited school of medicine with a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy degree accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or the Commission for Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and completion of a residency approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); PLUS, four (4) years of work experience in occupational medicine, of which two (2) years are in a clinical administrative role

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• State of Illinois licensed physician in good standing
• Board certified in occupational medicine, internal medicine, or a related specialty
• Five (5) years of work experience in a clinical setting
• Certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) or willingness to obtain MRO certification within 60 days of hire
• Demonstrated experience managing medical staff, administrative leadership, and roles with increasing responsibility

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment

EQUIPMENT

Standard office equipment (e.g. telephone, computer, printer, photocopier)

CORE COMPETENCIES

Medical and Clinical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of medical terminology, diagnostics, treatment protocols, occupational medicine, and primary care principles.
• Ability to develop and oversee medical protocols, quality assurance programs, and clinical standards.
• Strong understanding of human physiology, disease theory, medication interactions, and public health trends.
• Expertise in performing and reviewing medical evaluations related to pre-employment, fitness for duty, return-to-work, and disability.

Leadership and Strategic Management

• Ability to lead multidisciplinary clinical and administrative teams effectively.
• Skilled in strategic program planning, especially for health, wellness, and fitness programs in public safety settings.
• Capable of directing and improving organizational medical systems and processes.
• High dependability, attention to detail, and commitment to quality care.
• Adaptability in a dynamic public safety environment.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

• Strong analytical and scientific reasoning skills to solve complex medical and operational problems.
• Ability to evaluate risks, interpret medical and operational data, and make sound decisions.
• Skilled at identifying system gaps and implementing effective solutions.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills for interacting with uniformed personnel, clinicians, leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Active listening, social perceptiveness, and persuasion abilities are essential for clinical discussions, labor relations, and legal matters.
• Ability to communicate examination results, recommendations, and medical decisions clearly and professionally.

Collaboration and Relationship Building

• Ability to work closely with labor relations, legal departments, and various City entities.
• Skill in establishing collaborative practice agreements and guiding interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong service orientation and concern for others, especially within a public safety workforce.

Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge

• Understanding of federal, state, and local laws governing medical practice, occupational health, workplace safety, and non-discrimination.
• Knowledge of ACOEM, NFPA, and ODG standards relevant to first responders.
• Ability to enforce general orders, medical policies, and collective bargaining requirements.

Operational and Administrative Competence

• Experience overseeing drug testing processes as a Medical Review Officer.
• Competency in medical documentation, data systems, and relevant software applications.
• Ability to manage resources such as medical equipment, safety devices, and clinical operations.
• Ability to learn technical systems and contribute to technological modernization efforts.

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ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Oct 21, 2026, 10:00:00 PM