Deputy Local Health Authority/Associate Medical Director

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16399
Department: Public Health Services
Division: Community Health & Wellness
Opening Date: 05/12/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 11:59 PM Central


Position Description
If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.
About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

Our Values:
HCPH embraces a foundation of progressive work anchored by the department's cornerstone values guiding our work to improve community's health and well-being.

• Transparency - We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
• Integrity - Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
• Respect - We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
• Impact - We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
• Collaboration - We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.

Position Overview:
The Associate Medical Director acts as the Deputy Local Health Authority for the Community Health and Wellness (CHW) Division, overseeing clinics, mobile health, dental services, healthy lifestyle programs, mental and behavioral health, and many other programs, services and grants. This position is also responsible for fiscal management, technical expertise, personnel supervision, and the operational success of the programs in partnership with the CHW Associate Director and Director of Nursing.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides medical leadership and oversight for clinical operations, including service delivery, quality assurance, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Serves as an alternate Local Health Authority (LHA) in compliance with state and local regulations, stepping in when LHAs are unavailable.
• Acts as a medical consultant for agency programs, ensuring compliance with health regulations and best practices.
• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical public health programs, including setting goals, strategies, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Guides the creation and improvement of programs based on emerging public health trends, evidence-based practices, and agency strategic priorities such as health equity and prevention.
• Works with epidemiology partners to mitigate the spread of infectious disease
• Oversees budget planning and financial management of both general and grant funding, ensuring efficient use of resources and supporting fund development efforts.
• Collaborates with division and departmental leadership in strategic planning, organizational development, and alignment with public health goals.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need special services or accommodations, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email


This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements
Education:

• Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy from an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy in the United States, or an equivalent degree from a foreign medical institution.
• Specialty in Primary Care or Emergency Medicine

Experience:

• At least 5 (five) years of administration, management and/or supervisory experience in public health, medical, or health administration field.
• At least 1 (one) year of public speaking experience

Licenses/Certifications:

• Must have active Texas Medical license
• Must have active DEA and NPI number

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.
• In-depth understanding state and federal public health laws, regulations, and standards, including scope of authority for Local Health Authorities (LHAs).
• Strong clinical decision-making and medical consultation skills.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex information to make sound policy and operational decisions.

Core Competencies:

• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.
• Policy Development and Program Planning Skills : This competency focuses on developing, implementing, and improving policies, programs, and services that support effective public health strategies and improve community health outcomes.
• Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.
• Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.
• Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.
• Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.
• Management and Finance Skills: This competency focuses on managing human and financial resources, promoting equity and collaboration, and optimizing organizational performance to support effective public health programs.
• Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills: This competency focuses on aligning stakeholders, fostering innovation, and managing change to implement effective public health initiatives that strengthen community health.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5 pm. Other days and hours as necessary. Ability to travel across Harris County jurisdiction.

Work Environment:

• This position operates in both clinical and standard office environment settings with standard equipment such as computers, fax machines, scanners, phones, and photocopiers.

Physical Demands:

• This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time. Work Location: Harris County Public Health: Community Health & Wellness Division - 1111 Fannin St. Houston, Texas. 77002.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01


Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) from an accredited U.S. medical school
• Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) from an accredited U.S. osteopathic school
• An equivalent medical degree from a recognized foreign medical institution
• Not relevant; I do not have this educational background.

02


Which of the following medical specialties do you hold?

• Primary Care
• Emergency Medicine
• Other Specialty
• None of the Above

03


Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in administration, management and/or supervisory experience in public health, medical, or health administration field. (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than five (5) years.
• Five (5) years or more.
• I do not have this experience.

04


Please provide details about your verifiable experience in administration, management and/or supervisory experience in public health, medical, or health administration field. DO NOT USE "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities, (d) employment dates (ex. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY). If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
05


Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in public speaking? (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than one (1) year.
• One (1) year or more.
• I do not have this experience.

06


Please provide details about your verifiable experience related to public speaking experience. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
07


Do you currently hold an active Texas Medical License?Please select the option that best applies to you.

• Yes, I currently hold an active Texas Medical License.
• I have a Texas Medical License, but it is inactive or expired.
• I have a medical license, but it is issued by another state.
• No, I do not hold a medical license.

08


Do you currently hold an active Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number?Please select the option that best describes your status.

• Yes, I currently hold an active DEA registration number.
• I previously had a DEA number, but it is inactive or expired.
• I am in the process of applying for a DEA number.
• No, I do not have a DEA registration number.

09


Do you currently have an active National Provider Identifier (NPI) number?Please select the option that best applies to you.

• Yes, I currently have an active NPI number.
• I have an NPI number, but it is inactive or no longer valid.
• I am in the process of applying for an NPI number.
• No, I do not have an NPI number.

Required Question