Health Department Director

Health Department Director

Salary

$112,299.00 - $134,784.00 Annually

Location

Health Department, 720 2nd Ave, Eau Claire, WI

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00057

Department

HD-ADMIN

Opening Date

08/03/2026

Closing Date

8/31/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

The Eau Claire Board of Health is recruiting for the position of Department Director - Health Officer for the Eau Claire City-County Health Department. This position leads a dynamic and innovative health department that is the largest local health department in Western Wisconsin.

Applicants must submit both a cover letter and resume with their application.

Health Department Director Recruitment Profile

Application deadline: Monday, August 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Interviews expected to take place in October.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary

The Director provides leadership for and manages the combined City of Eau Claire and Eau Claire County health department. This is a multi-program, Level III, nationally accredited health department that meets state and local statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances and grant requirements. The Director serves as the Health Officer as defined in WI s.251.06 and holds statutory authority for public health enforcement and public health emergency response. The Director reports to an appointed volunteer Board of Health that governs all aspects of the department. The Director serves as the chief executive and has the administrative authority for strategic direction, budget, personnel actions, policy, and public health programmatic decision-making in the department. The Director is responsible for ensuring a strong organizational culture, developing and implementing sound public policy, overseeing the delivery of quality public health services in alignment with requirements and mission, and ensuring financial accountability and stability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include:

• Provides leadership to assure a high achieving health department.

• Ensures that Wisconsin Department of Health Services Level III local health department services are provided for City and County residents and visitors.

• Aligns the work of the department with national public health accreditation standards; public health science, public health foundational services, public health evidenced-based and best practices; and national, state and local priorities.

• Provides leadership in moving the health department strategic plan forward including addressing the vision, mission, guiding principles and goals.

• Maintains a strong and effective organizational relationship with Board of Health as the oversight body for health department.

• Assures utilization of the Principles of Ethical Practice in Public Health throughout department and incorporates ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities.

• Leads organizational change.

• Assures that organizational workforce capacity, competency and culture is a priority.

• Assures that policy and programs in the department and community consider health equity and broad social determinants of health.

• Assures effective and efficient management of public health programs and services.

• Determines priorities for the organizational budget and oversees the development, monitoring, and management of the annual budget, including all revenue and expenses.

• Approves all funding proposals, contracts and other agreements for programs and service.

• Provides leadership in the identification and leverage of a broad range of public health and health care funding mechanisms for supporting health department services.

• Assures the use of financial analysis methods in making decisions about policies, programs and services, e.g., cost-benefit, return on investment.

• Sets the direction for and assures a focus on department-wide performance management, quality improvement, and program evaluation.

• Provides direct supervision to designated staff.

• Provides strategic oversight to a leadership team that manages day-to-day operations.

• Assures the use of evidence and population data in developing, implementing, evaluating and improving policies, programs and services.

• Provides leadership in community collaboration to assess key health issues and assure community action.

• Develops and maintains regular networks of community leaders that influence health and determinant of health outcomes.

• Assures regular assessment and prioritization of community health strengths and issues including social determinants of health.

• Assures development of collaborative community health improvement plan with focus on prevention and health equity.

• Assures that the department seeks input from, and builds relationships with, organizations and individuals in the community that focus on populations that are disparately impacted.

• Builds and sustains relationships with key organizational leadership at the City, County, State, and National levels.

• Actively participates on the City and County Leadership teams and ensures a direct connection of health department leadership to City of Eau Claire and Eau Claire County priorities, and other local efforts.

• Provides leadership in building regional capacity and establishes agreements for shared public health services.

• Promotes policy development at organizational and community level to improve health.

• Assures ongoing review and update of health department policy and procedure.

• Informs policy discussions related to local ordinance development, monitoring and revision related to public health issues using evidence-based population health data.

• Provides leadership in the lawful implementation of policies, programs and services.

• Provides leadership to community in bringing a health in all policy lens to organizational, institutional and governmental policy.

• Monitors and provides input to local, state, and national policy makers on policy initiatives impacting the health of the population.

• Supports the Board of Health, City of Eau Claire, and Eau Claire County in policy exploration, analysis and action related to population health outcomes.

• Assures internal and external communication on key public health and organizational issues.

• Provides regular and accurate communication with departmental staff and Board of Health about current operations, policy, and priorities of the department.

• Represents the department before governing bodies and community organizations.

• Ensures responsive communication and engagement with City of Eau Claire and Eau Claire County on key priorities and community outcomes.

• Assures that health department communication considers health literacy and is done with linguistic and cultural proficiency, e.g., using age-appropriate materials, incorporating images.

• Ensures that a variety of methods are utilized to communicate and engage with clients, stakeholders, partners and the general public.

• Provides leadership in setting the framework for the ongoing, effective marketing of department services and brand.

• Responds to press inquiries and builds and maintains strong relationships with media partners.

• Assures response to public health threats and emergencies.

• Serves as or delegates role of incident commander for public health-related emergencies.

• Provides or ensures 24/7 availability for public health emergencies.

• Provides leadership for local public health emergency preparedness and response efforts including the development and utilization of a local public health emergency plan.

• Assures regular exercises are conducted for public health emergencies and assures that After Action Reports are written and utilized for improvement.

• Participates as appropriate in City and County joint incident command for hazards.

• Other Duties as Assigned

• Ensures all BOH requirements are met.

• Meets all HIPAA privacy standards for maintaining client confidentiality or other privileged information.

• Ensures individual, leadership team and organizational learning opportunities for personal and professional development.

• Ensures the department participates in appropriate professional organizations at the national and state level.

• Arranges work area to reduce physical stress and increase productivity and efficiency, uses good judgement to act in a manner that is safe for themselves and their coworkers, and follows any Department safety procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The Health Department Director/Health Officer should bring advanced knowledge and skills related to public health sciences, population health data, complex system level leadership, and organizational management. This includes specific knowledge and skills in:

• Knowledge of National, State, and local public health standards, statutes, ordinances, and best practices.
• Knowledge of strategic planning
• Knowledge of organizational performance measurement and management including quality improvement
• Knowledge of community health assessment and planning.
• Knowledge of population and program data collection, analysis and management
• Knowledge of program planning and evaluation
• Knowledge of grant and contract writing and implementation
• Knowledge of social determinants of health and health equity
• Skills in organizational leadership and change management
• Skills in policy development at organizational and system level
• Skills in budget development and management
• Skills in strategic collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders at local, state, and national level
• High level skills in the public health core competencies for public health professionals
• Interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and strategic systems level negotiation
• Ability to prioritize and use collaborative decision making
• Ability to communicate at an individual, organizational and community level both orally and in writing
• Ability to sustain and leverage strategic partnerships across healthcare, non-profits, education, government and business sectors.
• Ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders

Required Qualifications

Per Wisconsin State Statute, Chapter 251.06(1)(c), a Local Health Officer of a Level III local health department shall have at least one of the following:

• A masters degree in public health, public administration, health administration or, as defined in rules promulgated by the department, a similar field and 3 years of experience in a full-time administrative position in either a public health agency or public health work.
• A bachelors degree and 16 graduate semester credits towards a masters degree in public health, public administration, health administration or, as defined in rules promulgated by the department, a similar field and 5 years of experience in a full-time administrative position in either a public health agency or public health work.
• A license to practice medicine and surgery under ch. 448 and at least one of the following:
• Three years of experience in a full-time administrative position in either a public health agency or public health work.
• Eligibility for certification by the American board of preventive medicine in public health or general preventive medicine.
• A masters degree in public health, public administration, health administration or, as defined in rules promulgated by the department, a similar field.

Additionally, NIMS 700 and ICS 200, 300, and 400 are required within 6 months of employment.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to work in office settings and community environments.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle or travel in all weather conditions.
• Ability to use standard office equipment including a computer, read printed materials and a computer screen, and to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• Exposure to communicable diseases, environmental hazards, and stressful or emotionally charged situations.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Working Conditions

• Work routinely performed in office setting.
• Occasional travel for meetings and community outreach.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for public health events or emergencies.
• Work may involve irregular hours during emergency response operations.

Employment

The Eau Claire City-County Health Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Health Department will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

City-County Health Department Summary of Employee Benefit Package

Regular Employees Working 30 hours/week or more

Benefit

Additional Information

Health Insurance

Available first of month following 30 consecutive calendar days of employment and once each year during open enrollment period or with qualifying life event. The Department and employee share the cost of the premium. Employees not selecting to enroll due to other insurance receive a monthly incentive payment. In 2026, the Department pays 85% of premium and employee pays 15% of premium.

Voluntary Long-Term Disability

Available first of month following 30 consecutive calendar days of employment or with approved evidence of insurability. Employee paid.

Flexible Benefit Account

Medical and/or dependent care expenses. All contributions should be expended by year end or may be forfeited.

Regular Employees Working a minimum of 1 Year and 1200 hours

Benefit

Additional Information

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Enrollment

Health Department and Employee share cost of contribution for retirement benefit. All employees working more than 1200 hours annually and for more than one year must be enrolled. Percentage of contribution may be adjusted annually.

Life Insurance

Available first of the month following 30 consecutive calendar days of employment. Life insurance premiums are based on the employee's salary and age. The Department pays 20% in addition to the employee's premium. Coverage is based on your last annual salary. Additional employee insurance, spouse and dependent insurance are also available, with premiums paid by the employee.

Regular Employees Working 20 hours/week or more (some benefits pro-rated if under 40 hours)

Benefit

Additional Information

Dental Insurance

Available first of month following 30 consecutive calendar days of employment and once each year during open enrollment period or with qualifying life event. Employee paid.

Vision Insurance

Available first of month following 30 consecutive calendar days of employment and once each year during open enrollment period or with qualifying life event. Employee paid.

Ancillary Benefits

Available first of the month following 30 consecutive calendar days of employment. Include voluntary life/accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurances. Employee paid.

Paid Holidays

New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (3rd Monday of January), Spring Holiday (Friday before Easter), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve (11), prorated by FTE.

Floating/Personal Holidays

12 hours per year; prorated by FTE and start date.

Sick Leave

Earned at one day (or 8 hours) per month, prorated by FTE, which can be accumulated up to 120 days (960 hours). Includes up to 2 weeks/80 hours, prorated by FTE, for family sick leave.

Vacation

Accrued as follows; prorated by FTE:

• From start of employment up to 3 years - 10 days.
• After 3 years of employment - 12 days.
• After 5 years of employment - 15 days.
• After 11 years of employment - 20 days.
• After 17 years of employment - 25 days.
• After 25 years of employment - 28 days.

5 days available immediately upon hire, remainder accrued on an ongoing basis.

Bereavement Leave

Available for certain covered family members. Prorated by FTE

Deferred Compensation

Optional retirement benefit paid for by employee. Pre-tax and post-tax 457B and Roth plans available.

Educational Reimbursement

Under certain circumstances, the Department may reimburse tuition or other costs associated with course work toward an advanced degree related to their current position or a promotional position.

Other Benefits - All Employees (may be prorated or dependent on FTE)

Benefit

Additional Information

Additional Leave

Includes injury leave, military leave, jury duty, parental leave, blood donation, voting and emergency leave.

Employee Assistance Program

Available free of charge to all employees and household members.

Expense Reimbursement

Employees are reimbursed for business travel at State of Wisconsin rates.

Miscellaneous

Department provides certain professional development and training, wellness programs, paid breaks, etc.

01

Do you currently meet the requirements to qualify as a Health Officer of a Level III local health department as outlined in the position description?

• Yes
• No

02

If no, what would be required for you to meet the qualifications of a Health Officer of a Level III local health department?

03

If no, would you be able to complete the qualifications necessary to meet those requirements within your first year as the local health officer?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Eau Claire, City of (WI)

Department HD-ADMIN Address 720 2nd Ave

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 54703

Phone (715) 839-4718

Website www.eauclairewi.gov/health