DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Work involves the performance of support service functions associated with the administration of public health services and programs. The purpose of the class is to relieve the professional staff of the more routine duties. Incumbents assist professional staff with client case management, monitor reports of essential public health information, produce communications, maintain records, provide information to clients relative to aspects of available programs and benefits, and assist with education and outreach. Some after hour and/or weekend work is required as needed. Work is performed in accordance with established guidelines, under the direct supervision of the Supervising Public Health Educator and/or Supervising Public Health Nurse. General supervision is provided to subordinate clerical staff and interns. The Senior Public Health Program Assistant is distinguished from the Public Health Program Assistant by the greater complexity of related duties and the supervision of lower-level staff. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)

• Prepares and disseminates informational materials, including flyers, pamphlets, presentations, graphics, posters, social media posts, articles and media releases;
• Maintains and updates the Department of Health website with current information for all divisions within the department, in conjunction with the IT Department;
• Monitors Department of Health social media accounts to communicate with county residents and provide accurate and timely information;
• Operates a computer to produce correspondence, reports, spreadsheets, informational fliers and brochures, presentation materials, social media content, and other relevant work documents;
• Monitors on a daily basis, reports relative to communicable diseases on NYS Department of Health website, and produces communications and maintains/updates records as needed;
• Monitors a variety of public health websites, such as ECLRS, CDESS, NYSIIS, LeadWeb, etc. and reports relevant data to appropriate health department staff;
• Prepares and disseminates health-related communications to County employees;
• Supervises clerical staff and interns in the routine work of the department and programs as well as special events and projects;
• Oversees a number of health department programs and activities;
• Assists in the completion of the Department of Health annual report by collecting department-wide information and assembling, reviewing and editing program reports;
• Assists in the collection of information and preparation of various reports, spreadsheets, correspondence and other work documents;
• Reviews social media analytics to best reach county residents and reports findings to the Board of Health;
• Provides assistance in clinic situations as necessary;
• Participates in staff meetings and a variety of program and local committee meetings;
• Assists Department of Health professional staff with client case management;
• Maintains databases relative to patients with communicable diseases and cases requiring follow up;
• Maintains messaging system for Department of Health phone lines, including updating notices about office closures and emerging health concerns as necessary; 
• May edit informational material and press releases produced by health educators and staff prior to distribution;
• May be assigned to train and/or oversee other clerical staff in the routine and specialized work of the department and programs;
• May perform receptionist duties as needed such as answering/monitoring telephone calls and directing visitors;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Good knowledge of public health programs and services relative to immunization, communicable diseases, prevention, etc.; good knowledge of related community and county resources; good knowledge of social media and marketing techniques; ability to prepare health education materials, including flyers, pamphlets, presentations, graphics, posters, social media posts, articles and media releases; ability to analyze and organize data and prepare records and reports; ability to use computer software and perform web research; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to groups and individuals; ability to maintain accurate records; ability to deal effectively and objectively with clients of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and cultures; good listening skills, social perceptiveness; tact; confidentiality; good judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either

1. Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of full-time work experience which involved assisting in the administration of public or community health or social programs; or
2. Associates degree or completion of sixty (60) college credits in Public Administration, Health Administration, or a related field, and three (3) years of full-time work experience which involved assisting in the administration of public or community health or social programs; or
3. Associate's degree or completion of sixty (60) college credits and four (4) years of full time work experience which involved assisting in the administration of public or community health or social programs; or
4. Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and six (6) years of full-time work experience which involved assisting in the administration of public or community health or social programs; or
5. An equivalent combination of training and experience as indicated in a) through c) above.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Work after normally scheduled hours and/or work on weekends is required.

4/21; 8/21

Competitive