Public Health Officer- Contract Position - Under the direction of the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners and Board of Health, the Health Officer serves as the entity set forth in RCW 70.05.070. and RCW 70.58A.050 for Klickitat County as its Chief medical Officer.

• In collaboration with the local Board of Health and the Health Department Director, the Health Officer is responsible for, and empowered to enforce, state and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances with respect to public health. These powers and duties include, but are not limited to, taking such actions as are necessary to promote and protect the public’s health and sanitation, to prevent and control the transmission of communicable diseases, and to ensure a sanitary and hygienic environment for human health.
• Duties also include provision of policy guidance and recommendations to the Board of Health, participation in other executive leadership activities in support of the Health Department Director, and collaboration with a wide range of strategic partners and stakeholders to address public health issues. These duties require innovative leadership and active collaboration with a wide range of strategic partners and stakeholders to address public health issues in a rapidly changing environment.
• The Health Officer is expected to apply to varied and complex work situations a thorough and complete knowledge of policies and procedures related to the practice of medicine, in addition to a thorough and complete knowledge of public health programs, laws and regulations. The candidate will be expected to provide medically accurate, scientifically proven advice or guidance to the Board of Health, the Director, agency staff, the local medical community, internal and/or external advisory council(s), local, state, tribal and federal public health partners, the media, and the public. The Health Officer is also expected to work closely and communicate regularly with the medical community and other community groups to build credibility for public health.
• Additionally, the Health Officer will be expected to help identify health priorities and emerging trends, communicate health data and information in a variety of settings, and assist with planning for and response to bioterrorist and other public health emergencies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education: Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy degree and Master’s Degree in Public Health or its equivalent (in accordance with RCW 70.05.051). OR Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy degree and provisionally qualified in accordance with the standards prescribed in RCW 70.05.051 through 70.05.055.

Experience: Three to Five years’ experience as a licensed practicing medical provider and increasingly responsible experience in public health, epidemiology, infectious disease, preventive medicine, or a related area.

Additionally, the individual should meet the following requirements:

• Current licensure to practice medicine in the State of Washington that is in good standing, or ability to obtain such license within 30 days.
• Registration with the Drug Enforcement Agency for prescription of controlled substances or ability to obtain such registration within 60 days.
• Successful completion of a background check pursuant to RCW 43.43.830.
• Not have any history of disciplinary actions or under investigation regarding medical license.
• Valid state driver's license in state of residence