Center for Health Protection Director (Public Health Administrator 1)

Initial Posting Date:

07/15/2026

Application Deadline:

07/25/2026

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

9,604.00-14,856.00

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Center for Health Protection Director (Public Health Administrator 1)

Job Description:

If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all.

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! – Center for Health Protection Director (Public Health Administrator 1)

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division (PHD)­­­­­­­is recruiting for the Center for Health Protection Director (Public Health Administrator 1).  The Center for Public Health Protection protects the health of individuals and communities through establishing, applying and ensuring reliable compliance with regulations and health-based standards. This position is part of the Executive Leadership Team for PHD.

In this pivotal role, you will lead the Center by articulating a clear vision and setting strategic direction that aligns with the Public Health Division’s priorities. You will serve as an active partner in the Division’s shared leadership model and guide the Center’s administration and operations in accordance with Oregon statutes, administrative rules, and OHA policies and procedures.

The Director ensures that public health science and best practices are applied to advance Oregon as a national leader in health protection. This includes facilitating effective public health policy development and implementation, championing continuous quality improvement and performance management, and communicating key policies and procedural information across leadership, management, and program teams.

As a representative of the Division, you will engage with professional partners, the Conference of Local Health Officials, and—at the discretion of the State Public Health Director—executive and legislative leadership. A core responsibility of this role is ensuring that all Center activities advance OHA’s strategic goal to eliminate health inequities.

The Director will also identify and cultivate funding opportunities, strengthen community-led approaches to health, and coach and develop mid- and senior-level leaders to support integration across programs within both the Center and the broader Public Health Division.

For a full review of the position description, please click here.

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications: These qualifications must be reflected in your application for consideration.

• Five years of management experience; OR
• Two years of management experience and a bachelor's degree in a related field.

Desired Attributes: The following are skills and lived experiences that are identified as key to success in this role at OHA. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you possess any of these, please let us know in your application, resume and address specifically in your cover letter.

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex public health programs involving multiple partners high regulatory complexity, regulatory oversight, and interconnected systems.
• Significant experience developing, managing and balancing complex, multi-unit budgets with diverse funding sources.
• Proven experience collaborating with legislators, executive leadership, internal and statewide partners to advance public health priorities.
• Proven experience helping teams with adjacent work reach shared agreement when faced with conflicting strategies and approaches.
• Experience developing public policy within a regulatory, governmental, or public health environment.
• Strong familiarity with administrative law, enforcement processes, and regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated success in strategic visioning across diverse public health or regulatory programs.
• Commitment to creating, supporting, and sustaining inclusive, welcoming, and equitable work environments.

Preference Statement:

Preference may be given to candidates with direct experience in Oregon’s public health systems, programs, and practices. Preferred applicants will hold at least a master’s or doctoral degree in public health, law, medicine, nursing, or a related scientific field, and will have a minimum of five years of experience working in public health programs. Additional preference may be given to candidates who have supervised other managers, as well as those with experience collaborating with legislators, the Governor’s Office, and other state leaders to provide information and support the development of public health policy.

Application Guidance

Your candidate profile and application are your opportunity to showcase your skills and interest in this role. Submissions will be reviewed for clarity, consistency, and communication skills, and for alignment with the guidance provided below:

Submission Requirements:

• Resume – Attach your current resume that clearly outlines your education and work experience relevant to this position.
• Cover Letter (Required) – A cover letter is required. Failure to upload any of the required documents will result in your application being disqualified.
• Supplemental Questions – Answer all supplemental questions completely and accurately.
• Final Check! – Before submitting, confirm that all required materials are included, and your Workday Job History is current. The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.

How to Apply:

• External Candidates:  Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage or click the “Apply” tab above to submit your application, following all submission requirements.
• Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login, following all submission requirements.

After You Apply:

• Complete any pending tasks in Workday under “My Applications” prior to the application deadline.
• Check your email (including junk folder) and Workday inbox regularly for updates on your application.

Reminders:

• Eligible veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. To protect your information and ensure correct processing, please follow the instructions for submitting your Veterans’ Preference documentation.
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline.

About the Team & Benefits of Joining

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from.

If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours/month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• This announcement is for one, full-time, permanent management service, Center for Health Protection (Classification: Public Health Administrator 1) position based in Portland, Oregon.
• This is a Hybrid position. Please check SECTION 4. WORKING CONDITIONS, of the position description linked above to review more details regarding the details surrounding the working conditions.
  • This position requires you to be located within a reasonable commuting distance of Portland or Salem, Oregon.
• Employment is contingent upon a criminal records check that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. For more information, see the Classification and Compensation page.
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.
• This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to verify work authorization. If your employment eligibility depends on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet the requirements for this position.
• We evaluate candidates based on their own skills and experience. Unless explicitly approved, outside resources – including Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools – are not permitted during assessments or interviews. Use of unauthorized resources will disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

Contact Information
Recruiter: Elizabeth Chine
Email: [email protected]
Phone (text friendly): 971-718-1114

Accommodation Requests (ADA): OHA provides reasonable accommodations under the ADA, which may include alternative formats of materials or language support. If you need an accommodation to apply for this position or participate in the selection process, please contact the recruiter listed above.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources | What You Need to Know to Get the Job

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on protected class – including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation – and does not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.

OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.