Job Summary This position is in the Department of Health (DC Health), Community Health Administration (CHA), Health Care Access Bureau (HCAB). CHA promotes healthy behaviors and environments to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in the District's leading causes of mortality and morbidity. HCAB promotes and protects access to high-quality, preventive health care services and supports the health of families across the lifespan. The incumbent serves as the Director of the Primary Care Office (PCO). The PCO is the District's designated State Primary Care Office and is responsible for identifying and designating primary care, dental, and mental health provider shortage areas, and for administering programs that recruit and retain primary care providers in underserved communities, including the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program, the state loan repayment program, and the Conrad 30 J-1 visa waiver program.
Major Duties and Responsibilities The incumbent directs the District's State Primary Care Office functions and serves as the subject matter expert on primary care access, provider shortage designation, and primary care workforce policy. Oversees the District's Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Area/Population designation processes, including data collection, application development, and coordination with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Administers the State Primary Care Office federal grant, including work plan development, budget management, progress reporting, and continuation and renewal applications. Directs the state loan repayment program and the Conrad 30 J-1 visa waiver program, including award decisions, contract compliance, and coordination with the National Health Service Corps.
Leads primary care policy analysis and payment reform initiatives, including value-based payment models, primary care investment strategy, and cross-agency policy coordination with the Department of Health Care Finance and other District agencies. Directs the oral health workforce program, including dental workforce policy analysis and workforce development initiatives that expand access to dental care in underserved communities. Oversees quality improvement and Lean transformation support provided to primary care and safety net provider organizations, including training curricula, coaching, and grantee technical assistance. Leads health workforce wellness initiatives, including data collection and analysis on provider burnout and pilot programs to improve working conditions in primary care settings. Directs program data collection, analysis, and evaluation activities across the PCO portfolio, and uses evaluation findings to inform program design and policy recommendations. Builds and maintains partnerships with federal agencies, District agencies, health systems, and community-based organizations to advance primary care access and workforce goals.
Qualifications and Education Individuals must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (13) level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, and that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of the position.
A Master's degree or higher-level degree in public health, health policy, health administration, or a related field is strongly preferred.
Licenses and Certifications None required.
Working Conditions / Environment The incumbent must be able to carry out official duties in a variety of settings and conditions. Routine work will occur primarily in an office setting.
Other Significant Facts Employment Sponsorship: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa currently.
Agency Wide Consideration: Qualified individuals that submit applications for this vacancy may be considered for other current open vacancies for which they qualify within DC Health.
Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday 8:15am - 4:45pm
Area of Consideration: Open to the Public
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service (MSS) At-Will. This is an MSS appointment. Persons appointed to MSS positions do not acquire permanent status and serve at the pleasure of the appointing personnel authority, and may be terminated at any time.
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: MS-0340-14
Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.
Position Designation: This position has been designated as
Security Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying security sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests:
- (a) Criminal background check;
- (b) Traffic record check (as applicable);
- (c) Consumer credit check (as applicable);
- (d) Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and
- (e) Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.
Residency Requirement: If the position is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, the selectee must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of appointment and must maintain residency in the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.
