PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR
UNION COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
This is truly an exciting opportunity to live and work as Public Health Director in a growing county with a rich heritage and high quality of life. Established in 1842, Union County is one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina. Through careful planning it retains a strong sense of community. Union County is seeking a Public Health Director that will utilize a professional, self‑reliant and self‑starting approach to meet the public health needs of its citizens. The ideal candidate for Public Health Director should be committed to providing the highest quality of service to Union County. Through teamwork, communication and cooperation, the new Public Health Director will strive to effectively provide the quality health services needed and desired by the community. Minimum education and experience is required based on the following criteria: (1) A medical doctorate; or (2) A Master’s degree in Public Health Administration, and at least one year of employment experience in health programs or health services; or (3) A Master’s degree in a public health discipline other than Public Health Administration, and at least three years of employment experience in health programs or health services; or (4) A Master’s degree in Public Administration, and at least two years of experience in health programs or health services; or (5) A Master’s degree in a field related to public health, and at least three years of experience in health programs or health services; or (6) A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Administration or Public Administration and at least three years of experience in health programs or health services. The 11-member Union County Board of Health is the Health Director’s immediate supervisor. The Health Director does report administratively to the County Manager. The Union County Board of Health and the County Manager participate in the annual performance evaluation of the Health Director. The Union County Health Department has been serving Union County residents since 1937 with primarily prevention services. The remarkable reduction in infectious and communicable disease has resulted largely from immunizations, sanitation, enforcement of state and local laws, and other intervention activities. Education, nutrition intervention, consultation, and other health services designed to improve health outcomes have resulted in improved health status and general quality of life. The Union County Health Department provides continual surveillance of health conditions in the County, sends statistical information to the State of North Carolina, and networks with the state for information vital for health program planning. Programs and functions in the Department include: Health Administration, Vital Records, Communicable Disease, WIC, Family Planning, Maternal Health, Maternal Health High Risk, Children’s Dental, Breast & Cervical Cancer Control, Child Health, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Environmental Health, School Nurses, Health Promotion, Healthy Carolinians, Kindergarten Health Screenings, Laboratory Division, HIV/AIDS Counseling and Case Management, Child Service Coordination, Maternal Care Coordination, Animal Shelter, and State Dental Hygienist Education. Union County consists of 15 municipalities. It is situated in the south central piedmont area of North Carolina and covers approximately 643 square miles of land. Union County shares a mix of country charm and proximity to urban convenience. Its historic buildings and old-fashioned main streets share the same landscape with new housing developments and bustling department stores. Union County’s growth rate has already surpassed Mecklenburg County's, making Union the fastest growing county in the region and the state of North Carolina. The population census exceeded 175,000 in December 2006. While anticipating plans for ever-improving infrastructure and projects like the Monroe Bypass, Union County looks to preserve its heritage. The birthplace of Andrew Jackson is also home of beautiful natural areas like Cane Creek Park and Brooklandwood, home of the Charlotte Queen’s Cup Steeplechase. Union County is fortunate to have a well-respected public school system, quality private and charters schools plus two post-high school facilities. Several colleges and universities are within 50 miles of Union County with South Piedmont Community College and Wingate University located within the county. Union County operates under a commissioner/manager form of county government with five commissioners elected countywide and an appointed county manager. The starting salary for Public Health Director will be market competitive, depending on the experience, qualifications and salaried history of the selected individual. The expected starting salary will be in the range of $82,459 to $123,690. In addition, Union County provides an excellent fringe benefit package. For additional information on this outstanding opportunity, please contact James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at 770-551-0403; mercer@mindspring.com. Confidential resumes should be sent by close of business June 22, 2007, to James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 5579B Chamblee Dunwoody Road, #511, Atlanta, GA 30338. Voice: 770-551-0403; Fax: 770-399-9749. E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com; Website: www.mercergroupinc.com. Union County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority and female candidates are encouraged to apply.