Public Health Specialist III - Chronic Disease

Overview

The places Vermonters live, learn, work, play, and age influence their health and wellness. Not all Vermonters have access to the same resources and opportunities. The availability of social and economic opportunities, the community's connectedness, the cleanliness of the environment (e.g., water, food, and air), the affordability of conveniently located housing, and the accessibility of transportation, healthcare, and community resources (e.g., parks, libraries, grocery stores, recreation) all impact health. Creating neighborhoods and communities where healthy choices are available to everyone gives all Vermonters an opportunity to live a long and healthy life.

To create healthier neighborhoods and communities, the Public Health Specialist provides support and technical assistance to municipalities and the regional planning commission to ensure their plans, projects, policies, and programs improve the health and well-being of all Chittenden County residents. This includes:
•    Identifying plans and projects that would benefit from health and equity analysis
•    Identifying the needs of communities by collecting and analyzing relevant primary and secondary data
•    Providing recommendations during project and plan development to maximize health and equity impacts
•    Monitoring and evaluating outcomes over time through established indicators

The plan, project, policy, and program areas assessed for health and equity considerations includes:
•    Transportation
•    Food security
•    Physical activity
•    Brownfield remediation
•    Affordable housing
•    Community and economic development
•    Public safety
•    Hazard mitigation
•    Environmental health
•    Land use
•    Parks and recreation

The Public Health Specialist works with municipalities and the regional planning commission to ensure communities are designed with health and equity in mind. This encourages healthy choices among residents and gives all communities an equal opportunity to live longer and healthier lives.

In addition to working with municipalities and regional planners, the Public Health Specialist works closely with colleagues in the Burlington District Office, in other District Offices, and in the Central Office of the Health Department. 

As part of the Vermont Department of Health, the Burlington District Office is the largest of 12 local health offices in Vermont. Located in Burlington, we strive to offer a supportive, professionally challenging, and healthy workplace to our employees.

DIVISION OF LOCAL HEALTH - WHO WE ARE:

The Division of Local Health's vision and mission is to preserve and improve the equitable social, economic, and environmental conditions necessary to attain the highest level of health and well-being for all, thus ensuring healthy Vermonters and healthy communities.  To this end, the Division of Local Health is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment that respects and celebrates every person's strength, assets, and values.  The Division of Local Health is committed to leading organizational change efforts that address avoidable inequities and injustices as we work towards the elimination of health and health care disparities. 
 
TELEWORK:
The Department of Health supports a hybrid work environment. Upon hire, employees work with their supervisor to create a schedule that aligns with the business needs of the unit. We believe a hybrid work environment promotes autonomy and allows for increased flexibility and greater work/life balance.

 

MISSION & VISION:
The Department of Health's mission is to protect and promote the best health of all Vermonters. Our vision is healthy Vermonters living in healthy communities. Our goals are: 
•    Effective and integrated public health programs.
•    Communities with the capacity to respond to public health needs.
•    Internal systems that provide consistent and responsive support.
•    A competent and valued workforce that is supported in promoting and protecting the public's health.
•    A public health system that is understood and valued by Vermonters.
•    Health equity for all Vermonters.

 

CULTURE & VALUES: 
The Department of Health's culture is one in which our success and our workplace culture are interdependent. Our culture is driven by a passion for the mission. We are committed to these values: 
•    Creativity, innovation, and calculated risk-taking. 
•    Open and transparent leadership.
•     Staff expertise, autonomy, and excellence.
•    Professional growth through individual development plans, special projects, and opportunities to stretch.
•    Wellness and work-life balance.

Who May Apply

This position, Public Hea