Public Health Specialist - Statewide Health ...

Salary : $73,153.60 - $102,523.20 Annually Location : Mankato, MN Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 2026-00018 Department: Human Services Division: Community Health Opening Date: 02/25/2026 Closing Date: 3/17/2026 11:59 PM Central DESCRIPTION Under direct supervision of the Human Services Supervisor - Public Health, the Public Health Specialist supports the mission of Blue Earth County Human Services by effectively and efficiently delivering essential services to families and individuals so they can achieve their potential through active community participation. This position focuses on community engagement, assessment, planning, and implementation of strategies that support long-term population health. The Public Health Specialist - SHIP works collaboratively with community partners to identify health needs; develop and evaluate health promotion programs; advance policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes; secure and manage grant funding; and provide technical assistance and resources to organizations promoting wellness. Primary areas of focus include nutrition and healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco use prevention. The position also supports public information efforts and media relations, performs administrative duties, and supervises community health interns. DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Conducts community health assessments and plans, implements, and evaluates strategies to improve community health outcomes. Assesses and prioritizes community and preventative health care needs using county health profiles, survey data and other demographic statistics related to the health and wellness of county residents. Establishes goals, objectives, methods, and outcomes based on the analysis of data gathered. Develops and implements work plans to accomplish goals and objectives. Conducts ongoing evaluations of outcomes and strategies to determine effectiveness and the need for program adjustments.. Participates in statewide planning process. Performs program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Identifies existing health promotion programs, unmet community needs, and service gaps. Develops and implements plans to address identified needs. Translates complex health information into clear, accessible messages for diverse audiences. Delivers programming through appropriate methods, including individual outreach, group education, classes, presentations, materials, and promotional campaigns. Coordinates with professionals and community groups to ensure effective program delivery. Evaluates program outcomes and integrates feedback to strengthen program design and presenter effectiveness. Provides leadership and collaborates with Health Promotion Providers. Gathers data on existing programs and compares with requests and needs identified in health profiles. Determines needs and works with community partners and existing groups to develop services or provides the desired information. Partners and works with existing groups to address community health issues and provides information and expertise. Assumes a leadership role in the community to enhance programs. Provides support for the development of new programs and services. Serves on committees, workgroups, and boards to build collaborations and strengthen skills. Researches funding opportunities and prepares grant applications, reports, and required documentation. Develops clear and well-organized written plans describing community health issues, unmet needs, and proposed solutions. Maintains program data for internal use and external reporting. Coordinates evaluation methods and monitors program activities and objectives. Analyzes data for continuous program improvement. Serves as liaison with grant funders and maintains program files to ensure compliance and quality assurance. Assists with public information and media relations, including preparation of public service announcements, news releases, reports, and correspondence. Designs educational materials such as brochures, handouts, and visual displays. Participates in radio, television, and community presentations as appropriate. Represents Blue Earth County on committees and community forums. Serves as a resource for organizations seeking health data and information and maintains knowledge of community resources. Responds to emergencies ass directed by the Human Services Supervisor. Participates in disaster support, communicable disease outbreaks, and investigations in whatever role designated. Works with communities to provide support in areas of need. Assist with planning, consulting, investigating, and providing technical assistance. Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace. Engages positively with both internal and external customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with colleagues, supervisors, representatives from other organizations, and the public. Performs the physical and mental demands of the position. Attends work during regularly scheduled hours. ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS: Supervises and evaluates Community Health Interns. Interviews potential interns with supervisors. Determines areas of interest and plans projects for interns. Provides daily supervision and serves as a mentor. Provides performance evaluations and submits to appropriate community health faculty. Participates in professional staff development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency. Attends and participates in professional organizations. Associates with employees and departments from other counties and states for collaboration. Performs other related functions as apparent or assigned. QUALIFICATIONS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in community health, environmental health, public administration, international administration, business, marketing, social work or related field; and A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with community health, program administration, or similar functions. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Master's degree in community health, environmental health, public administration, international administration, business, marketing, social work or related field A minimum of one (1) year of experience working with policy, systems, and environmental change in a local public health setting Experience in organizing community collaboration Experience in developing and implementing community assessments Proficient in understanding and speaking languages other than English, such as Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Sudanese, and Arabic, among others. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Must successfully pass a background check Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota. Must comply with all state and federal laws organizational and departmental policies and regulations. Must adhere to data practices policies and standards regarding non-public data. Access to non-public data should be strictly limited to what is necessary to fulfill job responsibilities. While accessing these data, the employee should take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access by individuals without a work-related reason. Once the work-related purpose is complete, non-public data must be securely stored in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes. HOURS OF WORK Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position allows for flexible work schedule. Position will require some evening and weekend hours. Benefits Overview AFSCME, No. 65 - Courthouse & Human Services The County of Blue Earth provides a comprehensive, balanced, competitive total compensation package. The County's benefit programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or dependent care assistance, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings. Benefits begin upon date of hire. The following outlines County offered total compensation benefits. This document provides an overview and does not offer all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents and/or collective bargaining agreements, the plan documents will prevail. Regular, Full-Time EmployeeWage/Salary Scale Blue Earth County features a 12-Step Pay Plan. Our advertised salary ranges include all 12 Steps. A selected candidate will typically be offered Step 1 of the salary range. Additional salary considerations are subject to negotiation and dependent on skills and experience directly related to the position. Vacation Leave Vacation accruals, utilization, and payouts are detailed in the collective bargaining agreement and/or the employee handbook. Blue Earth County Years of Service Bi-Weekly Accrual Rate 0 - 5 years - 3.85 hours 6 - 9 years - 4.77 hours 10 - 13 years - 5.69 hours 14 - 18 years - 6.62 hours 19 - 24 years - 7.54 hours 25 + years - 8.46 hours Sick Leave Employees accrue sick leave at a rate of 7.34 hours for each full month of service. Paid Holidays Blue Earth County recognizes 11 (88 hours) paid holidays, and employees receive one floating holiday per year. Health Insurance Employees may choose from 3-health insurance plans and either single or family coverage. Insurance Rates (Monthly) - Effective: July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026Plan 1: CMM $0 Deductible Employee: Single - $137.19 / Family - $1,209.49 Employer: Single - $1,234.66 / Family - $2,822.16 Total Cost: Single - $1,371.85 / Family - $4,031.65 Plan 2: CMM $300 Deductible Employee: Single - $1.04 / Family - $809.38 Employer: Single - $1,234.66/ Family - $2,882.16 Total Cost: Single - $1,235.70/ Family - $3,631.54 Plan 3: HDHP with HSA Employee: Single - $0.00 / Family - $425.39 Employer: Single - $965.00/ Family - $2,410.57 Total Cost: Single - $965.00 / Family - $2,835.96 Blue Earth County contributes to a health savings account (HSA) when the employee elects the HDHP. Single coverage HSA contributions equal $1,650, and family coverage HSA contributions equal $3,300. Life Insurance Employees are provided with Term-Life Insurance at no cost to them: $20,000 term-life/$20,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) After ten (10) years of continuous employment with Blue Earth County, the policy will increase to $35,000 term-life/$35,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) Retirement The County and the employee contribute to the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) based on a percentage of the employee wage: General/Coordinated Plan Employee: 6.5% Employer: 7.5% Voluntary Benefits Available AFLAC Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Nice Healthcare Long-Term Disability Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care) Voluntary Life (Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren)) Deferred Compensation (457b) Roth IRA 529 Educational Roth Minnesota Benefits Association (MBA) Savi Student Loan Benefit 01 The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement? Yes No 02 Which of the following best describes your level of education? High School Diploma/GED Some College Associates Bachelors Masters or Higher None of the above 03 Which of the following best describes the degree that you completed? Community Health Environmental Health Public Administration International Administration Business Marketing Social Worker My degree is in an area NOT listed above but is in a related filed. My degree is in an area NOT listed above and is NOT in a related filed. N/A - I have not completed a degree. 04 If applicable, list the field of study in which you possess a degree. 05 Which of the following best describes your experience working with community health, program administration, or similar functions? No experience More than 1 month, but less than 6 months More than 6 months, but less than 1 year More than 1 year, but less than 2 More than 2 years, but less than 3 More than 3 years, but less than 4 More than 4 years, but less than 5 5 years or more 06 Describe your experience related to the question above. If you do not have experience working with community health, program administration, or similar functions, please type N/A. 07 Which of the following best describes your experience working with policy, systems, and environmental change? No experience More than 1 month, but less than 6 months More than 6 months, but less than 1 year More than 1 year, but less than 2 More than 2 years, but less than 3 More than 3 years, but less than 4 More than 4 years, but less than 5 5 years or more 08 Describe your experience related to the question above. If you do not have experience working with policy, systems, and environmental change in a local public health setting, please type N/A. 09 Which of the following best describes your experience in identifying and assessing community health needs? No experience More than 1 month, but less than 6 months More than 6 months, but less than 1 year More than 1 year, but less than 2 More than 2 years, but less than 3 More than 3 years, but less than 4 More than 4 years, but less than 5 5 years or more 10 Describe your experience related to the question above. If you do not have experience in identifying or assessing community health needs, please type N/A. 11 Which of the following describes your work experience in providing technical assistance to community organizations? No experience More than 1 month, but less than 6 months More than 6 months, but less than 1 year More than 1 year, but less than 2 More than 2 years, but less than 3 More than 3 years, but less than 4 More than 4 years, but less than 5 5 years or more 12 Describe your experience related to the question above. If you do not have experience in providing technical assistance to community organizations, please type N/A. 13 Which of the following describes your experience in a leadership role facilitating collaboration between community partners? No experience More than 1 month, but less than 6 months More than 6 months, but less than 1 year More than 1 year, but less than 2 More than 2 years, but less than 3 More than 3 years, but less than 4 More than 4 years, but less than 5 5 years or more 14 Describe your experience related to the question above. If you do not have experience facilitating collaboration between community partners, please type N/A. 15 Do you have experience preparing print materials, designs, brochures, or other media material? Yes No 16 Describe your experience preparing print materials, designs, brochures, or other media material. If you do not have experience, please type N/A. 17 Do you have experience preparing grants, work plans, reports, and budgets? Yes No 18 Describe your experience preparing grants, work plans, reports, and budgets. If you do not have experience, please type N/A. 19 Please list the languages other, than English, that you are able to understand and speak. Please select all that apply. Spanish Somali Chinese Sudanese Ababic Other None of the above - I do not speak or understand any languages other than English 20 Why do you want this position with Blue Earth County? 21 OTHER QUALIFICIATIONS: Describe any other special training, certifications, or continuing education classes you've completed or skills and experience you currently possess that you feel would make you the best-qualified person for this position. 22 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and education records, identification verification, driver's license record and a criminal history, pre-employment drug testing and pre-employment skills evaluation? Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04