Director of Public Health

Definition and Class Characteristics

INTERVIEWS FOR SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE HELD THE WEEK OF MAY 11, 2026

“We strive to be a community where all residents thrive, visitors feel welcome, and we care for one another and value our differences.”

The County of Nevada, California is seeking an experienced and collaborative Director of Public Health to lead an inclusive, mission-driven, service-oriented, and visionary Public Health Department, which is one of seven departments within the Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA). HHSA has an approximate department staff of 330, a $228 million budget, and serves a community of over 102,000. In their role as Director over Public Health, this leader will oversee an approximate department staff of 43 and an annual budget of $13 million. It is essential that this leader be team-oriented, budget savvy, and an experienced administrative professional and relationship builder. They will address the needs of the whole county and continuously cultivate a proactive department culture that values health equity, and finds ways to connect with marginalized communities and remove barriers to health care access. The successful candidate will be strategic, emotionally and politically savvy, and will work as an advocate for those we serve, while leveraging their knowledge of public health services and related programs to protect and improve the health of the community. If you are a passionate public servant seeking a professional challenge and rewarding career, enjoy cultivating positive relationships, and want to improve the lives of others, please apply!

The community/county

The County of Nevada is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors who are dedicated to providing outstanding public in a fiscally responsible manner. The County is made up of 932 employees who provide essential services across the County’s many departments. The county strives to be a community where all residents thrive, visitors feel welcome, and we care for one another and value our differences.

Nevada County is perfect for those who crave a fulfilling lifestyle, with a healthy mix of natural beauty and outdoor activity, coupled with a vibrant cultural and culinary scene. The county is home to over 102,000 residents and covers an area of 974 square miles. Surrounded by the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains, this county is a nature lover's paradise, with rivers, lakes, trails and forests that are among the best in the world for hiking, mountain biking, camping and much more. Within easy driving distance to Lake Tahoe and the high Sierra, Eastern Nevada County (including the Town of Truckee) is home to ski resorts and snow parks, which make Nevada County a destination for locals and visitors to recreate throughout the year. Nevada County also has a thriving arts and cultural scene with a vibrant community of artists and musicians, galleries, theaters, and performance spaces. The Nevada County Fairgrounds host events year-round, including music festivals such as the California Worldfest and the High Sierra Music Festival.

The agency/the department

The Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA) is a thoughtful, strategic, and talented team that strives to protect lives, promote health and wellness, and provide support and services to help Nevada County residents meet their basic needs. HHSA is led by the Director of Health & Human Services, who oversees an approximate annual budget of $228 million, 330 staff across six departments, including: Public Health, Behavioral Health, Public Defender, Probation, Housing, Child Support Services, and Social Services.

The Public Health Department (PHD) works to prevent disease, promote and support optimal health and wellness, and protect the community against disasters. The Department achieves its mission through an array of programs, including communicable disease control, chronic disease prevention, emergency preparedness, community health education, clinical services, and healthcare management.

Recent PHD Accomplishments:

• Accreditation: Nevada County Public Health is one of the smallest local health departments in California to achieve national accreditation.
• Mobile Health: Nevada County Public Health was recently awarded a California State Association of Counties Challenge Award for our innovative mobile health clinic.
• Response to Opioid Crisis: Nevada County Public Health has been on the front lines of fighting the opioid crisis in Nevada County, and has been highly successful at distributing Narcan throughout the community, coordinating with key partners during surges in overdoses, and providing innovative prevention work.

The Job

The Director of Public Health will be a visionary leader who oversees the many program areas of the Public Health Department, including an approximate budget of $12 million and 43 staff. This position is responsible for the overall policy, programs, goals, and success of the Department and has an in-depth understanding of the social and economic challenges that impact social determinants of health. This position has a strategic and critical role in collaborating with departments and professionals, cities, foundations, committees, community-based organizations, businesses, educational institutions, and the community at large. They will serve as an inclusive planner and identifier of service gaps across communities and be proactive in program development that addresses community needs while also understanding the need to be hands-on, and roll-up their sleeves to address client needs and achieve goals.

Upcoming projects, challenges, and opportunities

• Navigate the shifting federal and state fiscal and policy landscape, including innovating to improve health in an environment of limited resources.
• Implementing the Community Health Improvement Plan, developing a strategic plan, and preparing for the next Community Health Assessment
• Continue to promote health equity work across the County
• Maintain accreditation

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience as a public health professional, and be a creative and innovative problem solver, forward-thinking, emotional and politically savvy (yet a-political), and a collaborative executive partner and leader. This leader will remove barriers, support and empower staff, and foster an environment of respect. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate diplomacy, leverage the strengths of our community partners, and successfully build relationships across the Agency divisions, County departments, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, clinics, schools, emergency management professionals, and more; public health touches everything.

The ideal candidate will also...

• Have superior executive-level experience directing administrative, budget and fiscal management, and human resource management activities for a large governmental organization and health program.
• Exemplify transparency in communications, personal integrity, dedication to public service, and a commitment to improving the lives of community members.
• Be a results and mission-driven strategic leader and effective decision-maker.
• Work with elected officials from all levels of government, internal and external agency leaders, business owners, advocacy groups, the general public, and the media.
• Provide professional recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and expertly implement their policy direction to achieve health and human services goals.
• Retain, strengthen, and continue to build successful interagency relationships.
• Be purpose-driven and engage and motivate staff to achieve the organization’s vision and mission.

Employment standards

• Possession of a master’s degree in Public Health, or a related field, from an accredited college or university program
• Four years' experience administering a public health program with broad managerial responsibility for major divisions of the program
• Possession of a valid California driver's license within 30 days of hire
• Enrollment in the Nevada County Community Leadership Institute with completion within one year of date of hire
• Enrollment in the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Senior Executive Credential Program with completion within 2 years of hire date

Salary and benefits

An annual salary of $157,480.20 - $192,250.92, plus a generous benefits package that includes:

• Retirement: The County is in the Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) coordinated with Social Security.
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid Leave Program (Combination of Vacation and Sick Leave): 221 - 312 hrs./yr. Maximum accrual is 520 hours, and 100 hours may be cashed out each fiscal year.
• Floating Holiday: 16 hours max; 24 hours max after 10 years of service
• Paid Time Off: 24 hours per fiscal year
• Admin Leave: 40 hours per fiscal year
• Education and Training Benefit: $1,000 per fiscal year
• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans: CalPERS' suite of medical plan offerings. Delta Dental Coverage and Vision Service Plan (VSP) vision coverage.
• Life Insurance: Two times base salary
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling, coaching, and wellness services
• 457 Deferred Compensation including a Roth option
• Flexible Spending Account
• Longevity Pay
• Car Allowance Available

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Benefits Guide

The Benefits Guide is a comprehensive document for employees of the County of Nevada. Information contained in this summary of benefits is not a binding document. Refer to specific unit summaries and agreements (MOUs) for additional benefit information.
Health Insurance
The County sponsored plan is the PERS Gold PPO, but you can also choose plans from providers such as Anthem, Blue Shield, and PORAC (if you are a member) to suit your needs.
Health Insurance Plans

• Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO
• Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO
• Blue Shield CalPERS Access+ HMO
• Blue Shield Trio HMO
• Kaiser HMO
• PERS Gold PPO (County sponsored plan)
• PERS Platinum PPO
• PORAC (Available to PORAC members only)

Flexible Spending Accounts
The County offers employees the option to contribute to a pre-tax medical FSA and dependent Care FSA.
Life Insurance
Voya is the County's life insurance provider. We offer the following products through Voya:

• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Basic Term Life
• Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment plans
• Optional Dependent Term Life
• Optional Term Life

Dental & Vision Insurance
Nevada County employees can opt to receive dental and vision insurance without opting for health insurance coverage as well. This will give employees more flexibility to match their choice of insurance plans to their specific needs. Ameritas Dental is the dental provider offered through Nevada County and Ameritas VSP Vision Care is our vision care provider.
Retirement
The County is a member of the CalPERS retirement system and also provides the opportunity for voluntary contributions to a 457 deferred compensation account through Nationwide by way of pre-tax and Roth payroll deductions.

CalPERS Miscellaneous Tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employee originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 2.7% @ 55 Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 12/14/12-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6 months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 2%@60 Tier 3 (Hired by first CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13 or having a break in service of more than six months between another CalPERS employer and Nevada County) 2%@62

CalPERS Safety tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employees originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 3% @ 50. Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 7/2411-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6-months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 3% @ 55. Tier 3 (Hired by any CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13) 2.7% @ 57. We encourage you to visit the CalPERS home page, www.calpers.ca.gov , to search related information about the retirement plans noted here so that you fully understand what your retirement formula means to you.

NEVADA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Any information on this page or documents and links are subject to change without notice.

Nevada County Human Resources Department

950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-7010 option 2

Human.resources@nevadacountyca.gov

www.nevadacountyca.gov

Closing Date/Time: 4/28/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• County of Nevada

• 530-265-7010

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