06/26/1996 34650

CHIEF OF STAFF, HEALTH

DEFINITION: This is responsible advisory and consultative professional work as the Chief of Staff, Health.

An employee in this class is responsible for guiding and managing the operations of the Secretary's office, providing staff assistance on a wide variety of activities encompassing the Health Department's programs. The employee manages for the Secretary the internal operation of the Executive Office. As a key member of the Secretary's management team, the employee is responsible for fostering the identification, amplification, and discussion of major issues for the Secretary's ultimate resolution. A major responsibility of this position involves the coordination and intervention on behalf of the Secretary with Departmental program managers to identify issues, participate in establishing goals and objectives and the formulation of policies, and the development of strategic plans. An important aspect of the work involves responsibility for direct interaction with high level administrative officials and decision makers in order to represent the Secretary's interests and programs. Work includes coordinating various aspects of the Secretary's office to ensure that top level policies are understood and that the Secretary's goals and objectives are achieved. Work is performed independently and is subject to general review for overall effectiveness by the Secretary of
Health.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Examples of Work: Provides advice to the Secretary on a wide variety of highly complex and sensitive programmatic and administrative matters.

Serves as primary contact person for the Secretary's executive staff, including Deputy Secretaries, on all but the most sensitive issues which require the Secretary's knowledge or decision-making.

Monitors the status of projects and major issues; provides direction to Deputies to ensure appropriate timely action occurs, and to ensure follow- up.

Serves as an intermediary in advising the Secretary on specific problems in any of the program areas of the agency.

Develops and interprets procedures for the internal operation of the Secretary's Office.

Works with Deputy Secretaries to identify issues, programs and ideas to help implement the Department's strategic plan.

Participates in the development of recommendations concerning programs, projects and policy for the Secretary's consideration.

Represents the Department in contacts with statewide organizations, various interest groups, and individuals.

Identifies problems and solutions, researches and recommends action to the Secretary of Health.

Delivers presentations and addresses as a representative of the Secretary of Health.

Represents the Secretary, when necessary, in matters pertaining to Departmental programs and legislative activities, at meetings or committees and task forces as necessary.

Manages special projects for the Secretary of Health, including directing management work groups and task forces.

Performs other related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices and current developments in the field of public health.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of the technical aspects involving the integration and coordination of public health programs.

Knowledge of office management.

Knowledge of Federal and State laws governing public health programs.

Knowledge of the techniques of governmental budgeting, fiscal management and program administration.

Knowledge of the Commonwealth's legislative process.

Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources available and required to meet them.

Ability to apply and promote the use of sound management techniques in agency operations.

Ability to coordinate the work of public health personnel and to integrate program plans and operations with other allied programs.

Ability to identify and analyze significant trends in policies from detailed reports and the analysis of factual data.

Ability to plan and oversee complex and varied public health programs.

Ability to edit, organize, prepare, and present clear and concise oral and written reports of findings and recommendations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency heads, subordinates, associates, and representatives of public and private groups.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting Departmental policy and procedures.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of public health, health or human services and a Bachelor's Degree.

or

Education above the Bachelor's level in public health, health or human services or a closely related field may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for three years of the required experience.

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.