KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of the practices, methods and procedures required for effective communication of governmental level health policy; a thorough knowledge of public and community relations techniques applicable to health issues; a thorough knowledge of state and local legislative and executive processes; a working knowledge of state and community health facilities and organizations, health services and manpower, and their interrelationships and the ability to apply such knowledge in interpreting and promoting health policy; a working knowledge of governmental regulatory and quasi-regulatory activities relating to health care delivery; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed public officials, providers of health services, health interests groups, health-related or health-affecting groups and organizations, consumers, and the mass media; the ability to disseminate and communicate information of health policy to the mass media, the public-at-large and authorities at federal, state and local levels; the ability to speak and write effectively on health policy for community agencies, public officials and other groups; the ability to plan, supervise and review the work of subordinates engaged in promoting health-related governmental policies; the ability to work effectively with superiors and associates; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Such as may have been gained through: graduation from a college of recognized standing or through education programs and experience in executive development and leadership training; and
Experience: Such as may have been gained through: employment involving major responsibilities for developing and implementing high-level health policy in a public or private agency, for carrying out effective policy-level communications with public officials and public agencies, or for planning and executing corporate marketing and merchandising.
Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

• Provide steadfast leadership to support the work and build the influence of RIDOH’s Health Equity Institute (HEI).
• Be responsible for a collaborative statewide initiative working to eliminate health disparities and improve access to care by building healthy, equitable communities.
• Supervise and guide staff engaged in ensuring minority health, compliance with CLAS standards, refugee health, and implementing Health Equity Zones led by organizations throughout the state.
• Supervise and manage a large unit conducting key initiatives in quantifiable, dynamic manner with measurable results. Direct reports include leads of Equity Operations, Community Resilience, and Policy Advancement and several support personnel.
• With HEI staff, facilitate access to care for the underserved, develop a plan monitoring progress toward elimination of statewide health disparities and inequities, and oversee its timely implementation and evaluation.
• Coordinate within the Department for design and implementation of public health strategies, activities and policies to improve population health status, conduct risk reduction, and cost containment activities targeting Rhode Island’s most vulnerable populations (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities, people with low incomes, those who are disabled, and sexual and gender minorities).
• Promote RIDOH’s social and economic justice, racial justice, and environmental justice via coordinated policy, systems, and environmental change efforts.
• Develop stakeholder relationships and assist community-based organizations, professional and lay groups, faith-based organizations, and the general public in advancing health equity.
• Foster and nurture community investment and understanding of the Department’s and HEI’s programs and priorities in developing policy approaches addressing local health disparities and enhancing health promotion.
• Coordinate efforts with and provide support to communities, regional authorities, and state leaders to develop and enhance local capacity, coordinate communications, and amplify impacts of statewide investments in health equity.
• Provide subject matter expertise and advise the Director of Health on policies and programs that will reduce health disparities and corresponding social and economic inequities statewide.
• Work with other Departmental leaders to identify and implement workforce development activities designed to improve intersectional understanding of and engagement in health equity initiatives.
• Periodically evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of statewide programs addressing health disparities, the data collected and analyzed to measure them, and promotional materials used in program development and implementation.
• Represent the Department at local, state, and national meetings to gather and share best practices, engage diverse stakeholders, and promote key priorities.
• Identify, recruit, and diversify funding to expand the breadth and influence of health equity initiatives throughout the state.
• This is a high-level management position that will play a critical role in promoting the Department's top strategic priorities.