Director of Public Health Informatics

The Director of Public Health Informatics is responsible for managing the integration and continued development of the Agency’s public health informatics functions. Work includes efforts to optimize data integration, data governance, interoperability, and visualization. Supports the strategic leadership and direction for the design and implementation of an Agency informatics/data analytics plan; and assures a comprehensive public health informatics workforce at VDH. Incumbent assures the use of public health informatics to support population health assessment and improvement, including the use of data/information to monitor strategic agency objectives. Informs decision making and the development of program/policy solutions. Conducts ongoing assessment of the VDH public health informatics environment and examines data needs within and across programs to identify areas of integration and means of improving efficiencies. Creates and maintains a data portfolio for VDH as it pertains to public health data and information. Identifies data gaps and makes recommendations for resolving those gaps. Assures the development and enhancement of complex, specialized reporting needs that require high level data analysis and data management from a variety of existing data sources both internal and external to VDH. Stakeholders include VDH offices, Commissioner’s Leadership Team, local health districts, elected officials, other State/Federal agencies, health systems, community partners and others. This position reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and works in close collaboration with program offices and informaticists throughout the agency to ensure collaboration across work units and efficient and effective data workflows.

Minimum Qualifications

Specialized knowledge of public health informatics and health care systems data. Knowledge of 1) strategies to achieve effective data acquisition, management, analysis, quality, storage, use, and application to address population health needs; 2)applicable laws, statutes and policies regarding health information including security, privacy, and confidentiality and 3) basic data warehousing and analysis terms and technologies. Ability to apply principles, theories and practices of public health informatics and standards of information systems to a wide range of complex business needs to meet departmental objectives. Ability to integrate the role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in the delivery of community and population health to meet the information needs of a wide range of users and data sharing partners. Ability to prepare and present highly technical information and issues to non-specialists. Knowledge and experience collaboratively leading and managing staff. Outstanding communication, stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills. Occasional travel is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Prefer skills including HL7 messaging, data manipulation/management using tools such as SAS/SQL, GIS/geocoding management (ArcGIS) and enhanced data visualization (Tableau). Prefer candidates with a graduate or terminal degree in public health, informatics, or a related field with 5+ years in a senior informatics leadership role; experience in planning, directing and formulating policies, setting strategies, and providing overall direction of informatics activities, development and services within the parameters of governing bodies. Public health experience at the local, state and/or national level also preferred.

Special Requirements

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Services Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHS IG Exclusion List check, employment references and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving and other background checks may be required for certain positions.