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Position Title: Public Health Policy Specialist

Salary: Hourly: $28.05 || Annual: $58,349.46

How to Apply:

Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application.

Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health or a field related to public health.

AND

  • Three (3) years of professional public health program experience including one (1) year of experience in a position requiring health policy research and analysis.  


OR


  • Master’s Degree in Public Health, public administration, social work, public policy or a related field.

AND

  • Two (2) years of professional experience in a public health setting, including one (1) year of experience in a position requiring health policy research and analysis.  



AND  

Necessary Special Requirement

  • Possession of a valid automobile operator's license and the use of an automobile during work hours. You must be able to provide your own transportation to and from the various worksites throughout Allegheny County. You will be required to travel up to 10%. 


Education & College Transcripts

If you are claiming college education to meet minimum requirements or as a part of your application, including supplemental questions, you must submit or attach a copy of your official college transcripts for your claim to be accepted. Unofficial Transcripts will not be accepted. 

Condition of Employment

It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass a background check, which includes verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status.

Employment Type

  • Full-Time, Associate Level.
  • Grant funded positions are contingent upon grant funding


Relevant Experience

You will receive a score based on the experience you report on your application for employment. It is therefore important that you provide complete and accurate information. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower than deserved score or disqualification. Call our Office of Human Resource Management if you have any questions.

Who is Eligible

Applications will be accepted from certified Merit System employees of the Allegheny County Health Department and outside candidates who possess the experience and training listed in this announcement and who are capable of performing the duties of this position.

Weights

  • Minimum Requirements - 25%
  • Relevant Experience - 25%
  • Supplemental Questions - 50%


Supplemental Questions

Per the weights (above), the responses to these questions are a significant portion of how an application is scored and hold high value in screening candidates. For these pre-interview questions, in order to provide a thorough/full answer, a typical structure to an interview answer is recommended to be used, i.e. STAR approach (1. Situation/Setting, 2. Task(s) that you were tasked to do, 3. Actions which you took, 4. The result(s) of your actions).

You may upload as a Word document answers to the supplemental questions in the “Upload Page” of the application. Make sure to note “See attached” after the statement on the application form if you are attaching a separate document. If you are unable to upload the document, email to ACHD Human Resources Department.

  1. Describe a time when you analyzed a public policy or piece of legislation that significantly impacted public health. How did you assess its implications, communicate your findings, and contribute to decision-making? Be specific about your role, stakeholders involved, and the outcome. (Max. 300 words)
  2. Allegheny County’s “Plan for a Healthier Allegheny 2023–2027” prioritizes equity, data, community engagement, and policy. Choose one of these guiding principles and describe how you have operationalized it in a public health or policy project. What measurable impact did it have? (Max. 300 words)
  3. Effective public health policy requires cross-sector collaboration. Give an example of how you built or maintained a strategic partnership across sectors (e.g., government, nonprofit, healthcare, or community organizations) to advance a health-related initiative or policy. (Max. 300 words)


Allegheny County Civil Service Employees (Non-ACHD)

Regular or probationary employees of County Departments currently in this classification, hired under a State Civil Service System, who apply for this position will not be considered as Open Competitive applicants. Those employees selected for transfer to the Allegheny County Health Department will be considered to have resigned their Civil Service status from the Department in which they are currently working and will be required to complete a probationary period with the Health Department.

This announcement may be modified, amended or canceled by the Allegheny County Health Department at any time.

Purpose

To establish open competitive and promotional eligible lists for use in making merit system appointments in the Allegheny County Health Department. The list will contain the names of successful candidates ranked in the order of final earned ratings. The list will be in effect for one (1) year unless previously exhausted or superseded.

In the ranking, open competitive applicants qualifying for Veteran’s Preference receive an additional ten points on the final earned rating. Form DD-214 must be attached to the application form for consideration for Veteran’s Preference. Determination of Veteran’s Preference is made in accordance with State Civil Service Policy.

If you are claiming veteran's preference, then proof of eligibility; DD-214 Form or other comparable military document must be submitted for initial claim. The document must show dates of entry and separation and character of service.

Credit for a degree or college coursework can only be accepted from an official transcript submitted directly from the college or university to Allegheny C0unty Health Department.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


#INDSJ

Position Summary:

This is professional work performing the Public Health Policy Specialist activities.

An employee in this class is responsible for providing information concerning the appropriate interpretation of departmental policy, public health policy as well as state and local legislation impacting public health. Consultation is provided to the Director and other officials regarding public health policies. Supervision is exercised over professional and clerical employees who aid in the composing and dissemination of information. A high degree of initiative and independent judgment is exercised within broadly established policy and objectives under the general supervision of the Deputy for Policy and Community Relations, and a matrixed relationship to the Director, who reviews the work for accomplishment of departmental objectives. 

Overview:

Fringe Benefits

  • Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met.


Perks Working for ACHD

  • Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable.
Duties:

  • Advises Health Department leadership, including Health Director, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Directors, on interpretation and progress of state and local legislation as well as other policies impacting local public health
  • Supports, monitors, and coordinates a range of strategic health policy and planning activities addressing the health challenges faced by Allegheny County residents
  • Represents the Health Department in community settings where public health policies are discussed
  • Works with Health Department staff including Director, Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Directors, and Program Managers to advance the health department’s policy agenda
  • Assists in the preparation and editing of materials pertaining to proposed rulemaking and legislation affecting the Health Department
  • Participates in Allegheny County Health Department Board of Health Meetings and attends other public meetings as necessary
  • Review and analyze proposed statutes, rules, and regulations and present briefings to Health Department leadership
  • Responds to Public Health emergencies as assigned by the Health Department
  • Performs other duties as required or requested
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • Federal, state and local public health laws
  • State of Pennsylvania legislative process
  • Approaches to public health practice that address health disparities experienced by vulnerable communities. Assess Health Department’s policy and regulatory needs and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
  • Understand and interpret local, state, and federal legislation
Skill in:

  • Public Health
  • Public Relations
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Report Writing
  • Policy Writing
  • Documentation
  • Policy Analysis
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Office Management
  • Presentation Skills
  • Microsoft Office
Ability to:

  • Develop productive working relationships with staff, community partners, and the public
  • Travel to and from work locations to carry out the responsibilities of the position
  • Respond to public health emergencies
Residency: Allegheny County within 1 year.
Veterans' Preference: Will be awarded to eligible candidates.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D


Apply Online