Director of Administrative Operations (DETROIT HEALTH DEPARTMENT)

Department of Health Internal Candidates Only

About the Detroit Health Department

The Detroit Health Department has served Detroiters for more than a century. Today, DHD is building a modern public health department that is visible, responsive, data-informed, and rooted in the daily realities of Detroit residents. Our work goes beyond traditional health services. Through a Health in All Policies approach, DHD recognizes that health is shaped by housing, transportation, environmental conditions, economic opportunity, public safety, education, and the broader systems that shape life in the city. We seek team members who can work across programs, City departments, and community partners to improve health, reduce inequities, and deliver better outcomes for Detroit residents

Director of Administrative Operations - DETROIT HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Under the general direction of the Chief Public Health Officer, as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Administrative Operations is responsible for the administrative operations of the Detroit Health Department including building operations, human resources, employee development, internal operations, and other programs and initiatives as assigned. The Director oversees a team of 6-9 staff. Duties and responsibilities include policy development, program planning and coordination, team and culture building, daily operations, communications, internal financial coordination, quality improvement and overall division leadership. The area of responsibility is wide, requiring various competencies and bases of knowledge, including human resources, employee engagement, budget coordination and facilities. The ideal candidate must be a proficient multi-tasker that is able to plan many kinds of operational activities. Leadership skills must be exemplary as is the ability to manage effectively in a diverse workplace and uncover the most efficient manner to run the business.

As a member of the Senior Leadership team, the incumbent must have an advanced ability to forecast and make recommendations to Senior Leadership that will safeguard and augment the Health Department’s operations to secure long-term success. Must be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing with the ability to represent the department to external stakeholders including City Council and the Mayor’s Office. The ideal candidate will be a strong project manager with exceptional organizational skills. Experience in policy development is required.

Human Resources

• Set department-wide strategy to assist with the City HR for recruitment and retention activities.
• Liaise with City and appropriate fiduciary agencies to ensure a smooth and productive working relationship.
• Oversee on-boarding, team professional evaluation processes, and performance improvement, disciplinary action and off-boarding processes and procedures.
• Collaborate with Senior Leaders, Directors, and Program Managers to ensure that all employees have an excellent daily work experience.

Facilities

• Oversee the management of the department's facilities, whether leased or owned.
• Develop strategic short- and long-term goals for facility management functions.
• Ensure physical layouts support safe, positive, and confidential client relationships.
• Represent the Health Department with external and internal stakeholders.
• Lead negotiation of leases, contracts, and other business relationships.

Finance and Procurement

• Oversee the department's internal financial operations and maintain strong working relationships with the City Offices of the CFO, Procurement, Grants Management, and Audit.
• Develop financial management processes and tools, including metrics and dashboards, that ensure financial excellence, growth, and transparent accountability of all financial processes.
• Work with Senior Leadership and program managers to develop, monitor, and meet organizational budget needs.
• Define, review, and improve internal processes on an ongoing basis to achieve best practice financial management standards.
  

Other

• Formulate Health Department business plans to drive excellence in operations.
• Develop a robust understanding of operational needs and nuances of every program and service of the Health Department to ensure effective and efficient operations meeting or exceeding national accreditation standards.
• Ensure that all operational plans align with requirements as outlined in the Michigan Public Health Code.

• Other duties assigned by the Chief Public Health Officer or Deputy Director

Master's or Doctoral degree in Medicine, Public Health, Business Administration, Health Science Administration or other related field.

 Five or more years of experience in a management or leadership position with progressive leadership experience in public health, government, or nonprofit sectors.                                                                                                                        
Preferred:
Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or a related discipline required.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.POSITION COMPETENCIES:
Analytical/Assessment Skills
•    Describes factors affecting the health of a community (e.g., equity, income, education, environment)
•    Integrates findings from quantitative and qualitative data into organizational plans and operations (e.g., strategic plan, quality improvement plan, professional development)
•    Assesses assets and resources that can be used for improving the health of a community (e.g., Boys & Girls Clubs, public libraries, hospitals, faith-based organizations, academic institutions, federal grants, fellowship programs)
 
Policy Development/Program Planning
•    Develops strategies for continuous quality improvement.
 
Communication Skills
•    Ensures that the literacy of populations served (e.g., ability to obtain, interpret, and use health and other information; social media literacy) is reflected in the organization's policies, programs, and services.
•    Communicates in writing and orally with linguistic and cultural proficiency (e.g., using age-appropriate materials, incorporating images)
•    Evaluates approaches for disseminating public health data and information (e.g., social media, newspapers, newsletters, journals, town hall meetings, libraries, neighborhood gatherings)
•    Conveys data and information to professionals and the public using a variety of approaches (e.g., reports, presentations, email, letters, testimony, press interviews)
•    Communicates the roles of governmental public health, health care, and other partners in improving the health of a community.
 Cultural Competency Skills
•    Describes the concept of diversity as it applies to individuals and populations (e.g., language, culture, values, socioeconomic status, geography, education, race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, profession, religious affiliation, mental and physical abilities, historical experiences)
•    Describes the diversity of individuals and populations in a community.
•    Recognizes the ways diversity influences policies, programs, services, and the health of a community.
•    Advocates for the diversity of individuals and populations being addressed in policies, programs, and services that affect the health of a community.
•    Takes measures to support a diverse public health workforce.
 
 Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
•    Ensures that community members are engaged to improve health in a community (e.g., input in developing and implementing community health assessments and improvement plans, feedback about programs and services)
•    Ensures that community input is used for developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services.
 
Financial Planning and Management Skills
•    Ensures that programs are managed within current and projected budgets and staffing levels (e.g., sustaining a program when funding and staff are cut, recruiting, and retaining staff)
•    Establishes teams for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals (e.g., considering the value of different disciplines, sectors, skills, experiences, and perspectives; determining scope of work and timeline)
•    Motivates personnel for the purpose of achieving program and organizational goals (e.g., participating in teams, encouraging sharing of ideas, respecting different points of view)
•    Oversees the use of evaluation results to improve program and organizational performance.
 
Leadership and Systems Thinking
•    Ensures continuous improvement of individual, program, and organizational performance (e.g., mentoring, monitoring progress, adjusting programs to achieve better results)
•    Advocates for the role of public health in providing population health services

 
Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit:   15 point