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Director, Center for Health Protection (DOH/CHP #10710)

Salary

 

$75.83 - $106.16 Hourly

$157,718 - $220,804 Annually

This position is a Pay Band XB

Posting Details

 
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant list may be screened more than once.

This position will oversee and direct the Center for Health Protection (CHP) within Public Health Division. The Center for Health Protection consists of seven bureaus ranging from Infectious Disease Epidemiology Bureau, Injury and Behavioral Epidemiology Bureau, Community and Health Systems Bureau, Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau, Bureau of Health Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services Bureau and the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics.

Why does the job exist?

 
This position directs the Center for Health Protection operations, administration and programmatic systems. The purpose of the work is to oversee, manage, and provide leadership to CHP by supporting the New Mexico Department of Health's (NMDOH) public health mission to improve health status of all New Mexicans through public health surveillance; sharing of data and information used to identify trends and inform programs for the development of effective policies, programs, and allocation of resources; coordinating epidemiological activity while developing and maintaining the evaluation infrastructure within the NMDOH; providing support and guidance for public health emergency response; and assuring the organizational competencies of human resources, budget and resource development, grant management and procurement to effectively support the Center.

How does it get done?

 
This position reports to the Public Health Division Director and serves as a key advisor to the NMDOH Cabinet Secretary and senior leadership on matters related to epidemiology, program evaluation, scientific evidence, and health policy. The role encompasses strategic leadership, management, and oversight of epidemiological research and response functions, with a strong emphasis on organizational performance, health equity, and cross-sector collaboration. This position builds effective working relationships with federal agencies (e.g., CDC, NIH), national organizations (e.g., ASTHO, CSTE), and epidemiologists in other states.

Leadership: Provide strategic leadership to a team of bureau chiefs and program staff. Foster a supportive, trauma-responsive workplace culture. Lead internal strategic planning initiatives and support public health accreditation. Ensure program effectiveness through the development, implementation, and monitoring of organizational performance measures. This position represents NMDOH at state and national meetings, public forums, and media briefings.

Supervision and Management: Oversee budget planning and resource allocation to ensure effective use of funds. Support workforce development and promote a trauma-responsive environment. Make decisions to improve operational practices and procedures. Promote team building and cross-departmental collaboration to enhance administrative outcomes.

Community Engagement and Communications: Ensure effective dissemination of program data, findings, and public health information. Guide the development of strategies for health risk communication. Provide technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders, with a focus on communities disproportionately affected by health inequities. This position requires excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including experience communicating with the public and the media. Serve as a liaison to develop and maintain partnerships for data sharing and use. Uphold principles of data sovereignty and represent the epidemiological perspective in statewide health improvement efforts.

Who are the customers?

 
This job is for a high-level public health leader. Someone with advanced training and significant experience in epidemiology, program management, and organizational leadership. Specifically, it's suited for: A medical or public health professional (e.g., MD), With experience supervising teams and managing public health operations, comfortable advising executive leadership and contributing to policy development, capable of overseeing budgets, workforce development, and program performance, adept at leading and coordinating responses to disease outbreaks and complex health issues, experienced in working with cross-sector partners and communicating public health findings effectively. This role is ideal for someone looking to shape the direction of public health at a state or departmental level, with a combination of strategic, operational, and scientific responsibilities.

Ideal Candidate

 
The ideal candidate is a seasoned public health professional with extensive experience in epidemiology, health policy, and organizational leadership. They have a strong background in supervising multidisciplinary teams, managing complex public health programs, and ensuring scientific and operational excellence. This individual excels at strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and fostering a supportive, trauma-informed workplace. The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including experience communicating with the public and the media. They are skilled in community engagement, effective communication, and collaboration across sectors. The ideal candidate builds effective working relationships with federal agencies (e.g., CDC, NIH), national organizations (e.g., ASTHO, CSTE), and epidemiologists in other states. The ideal candidate is also capable of advising senior leadership and representing the department in high-level initiatives and partnerships.

Minimum Qualification

 
Requires an MD, licensure and certification to practice in New Mexico and two (2) years of experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field above licensure requirements and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required experience.

Employment Requirements

 
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Working Conditions

 
Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 25 lbs).
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, stooping, bending, reaching and lifting up to twenty-five (25) pounds may be required. Some travel with the occasional overnight stay may be required.

Supplemental Information

 

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Agency Contact Information: Jeff Lara (575) 840-6368. Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

 
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Date Posted
06/05/2025
Job Reference
155213
Organization
Department of Health, State of New Mexico
Location
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Category
Executive
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