Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Government Services Center, 500 Fir Avenue West Fergus Falls, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 73:09/26
Department: Public Health
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 9/29/2026 4:30 PM Central

Description

Otter Tail County is now accepting applications for a Community Health Planner with the Public Health Department.

The purpose of this position is to conduct research on and assist in the planning, development, modification, and implementation of departmental, Community Health Board, and Health & Wellness service team initiatives, policies and strategic plans. This position will be responsible to implement and evaluate programs and initiatives in an assigned specialty area, i.e. community health planning and improvement, public health planning and informatics.

This position supports effective use of electronic health record and reporting systems and translating data for effective reporting, planning, and improvement. The position also supports Foundational Public Health Responsibility implementation, accreditation alignment, and related public health infrastructure.

Applications will be accepted until 4:30pm on September 29, 2026.
Examples of Duties

• Performs assessment and evaluation of departmental, Community Health Board, and Health & Wellness team programs and planning processes.
• Leads community health planning initiatives, including the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
• Provides technical assistance to clients, partners, outside vendors, and management regarding development or implementation of programs, initiatives, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes in a manner that addresses community strategies.
• Assists with evaluation, outcome measurement and reporting for prevention initiatives and community health priorities.
• Prepares and presents reports, findings, and recommendations to leadership, governing bodies, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Supports the effective use, configuration, administration, and maintenance of public health information systems, including but not limited to PH-Doc and other surveillance and reporting systems.
• Works on alignment with accreditation standards set forth by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), as well as assisting in the coordination of pursuing accreditation and/or foundational work.
• Coordinates implementation, monitoring, documentation, and reporting activities related to foundational public health responsibilities (FPHR), accreditation readiness and other organizational initiatives.
• Involves community members, leaders, partner organizations, and constituents in stakeholder engagement and community input processes.
• Represents the County at community coalition meetings and contributes to coalition initiatives.
• Advances the County's customer-centered culture principles, as well as the Health & Wellness team's and the County's mission, strategic plan and core values.
• Writes applications for funding to support and enhance program needs.
• Works within Community Health Board and supports programs and initiatives that involve cross jurisdictional sharing (CJS).
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Nursing, Public Policy, Health Administration, Community Health, Health Promotion, Health Education, Health Informatics, Community Development, or closely related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in public or community health related field.
• Valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

This position is regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00a-4:30p. The 2026 starting salary is $36.94 per hour, depending on qualifications, with career advancement to $55.41 per hour.

The selection process will include an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview. Prior to hire, finalist will be required to pass a background investigation and reference check. A standard one-year probationary period applies.

How to Apply
To apply for this position, click on desired job title, then the "Apply" link. On-line applications are stored on a secure site. Only you and authorized employees of Otter Tail County have access to the information submitted.

When filling out any employment application materials for Otter Tail County, you must include your entire employment and education history. Failure to do so may render your application incomplete.

Veterans Preference
Eligible veterans as defined by Minnesota Statute 197.447 may claim Veterans Preference during the hiring process. A DD214 and required supporting documentation must be included with the employment application to receive preference.

Background Investigation
All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from the following sources: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, other law enforcement agencies, court documents, educational institutions, previous employers, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, military records, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and known associates of the applicant.

Criminal convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. Making false statements or withholding information during the hiring process will cause you to be barred from employment or removed from employment.

Otter Tail County is a tobacco-free workplace.
Otter Tail County provides an attractive benefit package for regular full-time employees, including health, dental, life, long-term disability, and retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Regular full-time employees can expect to accrue holiday, sick, and vacation leave benefits. In addition, employees receive professional development opportunities.
01

The following questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and experience and is used to determine advancement in the hiring process. Be sure that your responses are thorough and complete. If a question asks for education and experience that you have already stated in the employment application, it is still important to answer the question thoroughly on the questionnaire. All responses should be examples of your own writing and will be evaluated for potential AI. If we determine that the responses were created using AI, your application may be deemed ineligible.
02

Tell us about your experience working with electronic health or information systems. How have you helped configure, improve, or maintain a system to meet program and reporting needs?
03

Share your understanding of public health accreditation (PHAB) and the importance of its role in the public health system.
04

Share your understanding of the foundational public health responsibilities (FPHR) and the importance of the framework in public health.
05

If you were asked to help the community health board track progress toward fulfilling FPHR requirements, how would you approach developing a system to monitor and report that progress?
06

This role is responsible to help support and coordinate the community health board's workforce development plan. What information would you include in a workforce development plan and how would you monitor the plan to know whether it was successful?
07

Are you bilingual? If you are bilingual, indicate the language(s) you speak and your skill level. Also tell us whether you can speak fluently, read/or write the language(s).
08

Have you included your entire work history on this employment application? Do not mark your application "see resume". Not including your entire work history will render your application incomplete.
09

How did you hear about this job opportunity? Check all that apply.

• Otter Tail County Website
• Minnesota Works Website
• Newspaper
• Social Media
• Word of Mouth
• Other

Required Question