CHIEF OF PUBLIC POLICY AND COMPLIANCE

CHIEF OF PUBLIC POLICY AND COMPLIANCE
DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CITY OF WORCESTER

The City of Worcester is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Chief of Public Health Policy and Compliance for the Division of Public Health (DPH) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Chief of Public Health Policy and Compliance will lead the DPH’s program support staff while strengthening their quality infrastructure and accreditation readiness to advance capabilities for the Worcester Division of Public Health (WDPH). Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Public Health, this position advances WDPH’s community health assessment (CHA) and evaluation work, supports data requests from partners, and embeds a sustainable culture of quality improvement (QI), performance management, and accountability aligned with Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) standards and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community (SAPHE) 2.0 law. Advancing the Health Equity mission of the Division, this position applies a racial and economic justice lens to all work, identifying inequities and providing timely, actionable data and performance insights to inform decisions. The Chief of Public Health Policy and Compliance works across all WDPH programs (including nursing, maternal and child health, tobacco, environmental health, and epidemiology), interfaces with the Worcester Board of Health and community partners and supports coordination and reporting tied to state standards and grant-funded initiatives.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS:

• Chair and lead the Division’s Quality Council, supporting QI initiatives across programs in alignment with PHAB standards
• Provide hands-on coaching and technical assistance to staff on Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) best practices to enhance programs
• Lead epidemiologists to partner with program, and IT staff to strengthen data quality, consistency, and integrity for performance and quality improvement metrics
• Lead division’s performance dashboards and provide briefings for leadership, staff, and governing entities, including the Worcester Board of Health
• Assist with preparing documentation and coordinating activities for PHAB reaccreditation readiness including community health assessments and tobacco enforcement programs
• Engage and collaborate with local educational institutions, local coalitions and work groups to advance data and research capabilities
• Coordinate with epidemiologists to advise on public health program evaluation efforts for Division, Department, and applicable partner organization programs
• Identify training and professional development opportunities to maintain personal and staff expertise in essential public health competencies
• Develop, engage, and maintain strong working relationships with community stakeholders, healthcare systems, human services organizations, and community-based organizations
• Convene and facilitate regular cross-office meetings (nursing, community health, environmental health, epidemiology, and inspectional services) to ensure work aligns with evolving state requirements and standards
• Manage grant-related reporting responsibilities, including developing systems to track WDPH activities and submitting required progress reports to funder
• Manage local, state and/or federal grant. Other duties as assigned

 REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong public speaking skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Ability to follow both oral and written instructions
• Ability to think critically and solve problems
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, complete assignments in a detailed, timely and organized manner
• Ability to comprehend and effectively communicate public health policies to staff and stakeholders
• Ability to use digital documents, filing systems and maintain accurate records
• Ability to conceptualize and organize projects into manageable tasks
• Ability to support administrative activities to include financial and information technology
• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with community based and/or public health organizations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to apply public health research and evidence-based practices to programs and initiatives
• Knowledge of program/project lifecycle stages: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, evaluation and closing
• Skilled in strategic planning and program design to align with department and City goals
• Regular onsite attendance is required

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in public health, nursing, community health or a related health field with a focus on policy or related area
• Three (3) years of experience in public health policy or research
• Experience and knowledge of PHAB reaccreditation standards and public health policy development
• Knowledge of Massachusetts Statewide Accelerated Public Health for Every Community (SAPHE) 2.0 law
• Experience with manipulating, reporting on, and visualizing quantitative data
• Familiarity with health equity and anti-racism frameworks
• Familiarity with the social determinants of health and the life-course perspective
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Experience with managing federal, state or local grants and contracts
• Experience developing and maintaining professional working relationships with community-based organizations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five (5) years of experience in public health policy or local public health
• Five (5) years of expertise working with health equity and anti-racism frameworks
• Five (5) years of experience evaluating state and/or federal grant projects or programs
• Five (5) years of experience developing and maintaining professional working relationships with community-based and/or public health organizations
• Three (3) years of experience managing federal, state or local grants and contracts

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $88,703 - $97,573 annually, full-time, exempt, with an excellent benefits package

FULL SALARY RANGE: $88,703 - $106,444 annually

To apply, please visit:  www.worcesterma.gov/employment or send resume and cover letter to: City of Worcester, 455 Main Street, Room 109, Worcester, MA  01608. OPEN UNTIL FILLED, applications received prior to or on FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026, will receive preference. Preference is given to Worcester residents. The City of Worcester is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Direct inquiries to:  City Hall, Human Resources, Room 109, 508-799-1030, Hiring@worcesterma.gov.