Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Public Health Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about making a tangible impact on community well-being? This role requires a dedicated and analytical Public Health Specialist to join our mission-driven team. In this pivotal role, you will be at the forefront of designing, implementing, and evaluating public health initiatives that address critical health challenges. You will act as a subject matter expert, using data-driven insights to inform strategy, build powerful community partnerships, and advocate for policies that create healthier, more equitable communities. This position requires a blend of scientific rigor, strategic thinking, and exceptional communication skills to translate complex health data into actionable programs that save lives and improve quality of life. If you are a proactive problem-solver committed to social justice and population health, we invite you to apply.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Health Educator
Community Health Worker
Research Assistant
Public Health Program Coordinator

Advancement To:

Senior Public Health Advisor
Epidemiologist
Public Health Program Manager / Director
Director of Public Health Policy

Lateral Moves:

Healthcare Policy Analyst
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist
Grant Writer
Healthcare Administrator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, implement, monitor, and evaluate comprehensive public health programs and interventions aimed at addressing identified community health needs, such as chronic disease prevention or infectious disease control.
Conduct epidemiological surveillance and investigations of communicable and chronic diseases, injuries, and other adverse health conditions to identify trends, risk factors, and at-risk populations.
Perform advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis using statistical software (e.g., SAS, R, Stata) to inform program decisions, evaluate outcomes, and guide policy recommendations.
Establish and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.
Develop, deliver, and assess culturally competent health education materials, workshops, and communication campaigns for diverse community audiences.
Lead the full lifecycle of community health needs assessments (CHNAs), from data collection and analysis to stakeholder engagement and prioritization of community health issues.
Secure program funding by identifying relevant grant opportunities, leading the development of competitive grant proposals, and managing subsequent grant reporting requirements.
Prepare and disseminate detailed scientific reports, literature reviews, policy briefs, and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication to share findings with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Serve as a subject matter expert on specific public health topics, providing technical assistance and consultation to internal teams, external partners, and community members.
Translate complex scientific and epidemiological data into clear, concise, and actionable information for policymakers, the media, and the general public.
Coordinate public health emergency preparedness and response activities, including the development and testing of response plans and communication strategies.
Develop and manage program budgets, track expenditures, and ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with funding agency guidelines.
Advocate for evidence-based health policies at the local, state, or national level by preparing policy analyses, briefing materials, and delivering testimony.
Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map disease prevalence, environmental risk factors, and access to care, creating visual data representations to identify health disparities.

Secondary Functions

Develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks, including logic models and key performance indicators (KPIs), to track program progress and measure long-term impact.
Manage and mentor junior staff, interns, and volunteers, providing guidance, training, and performance feedback to foster professional development within the team.
Facilitate community advisory boards and multi-sector coalitions to foster collaborative action and ensure community voice is central to public health planning.
Respond to data requests and inquiries from the public, healthcare providers, and media regarding public health concerns and available community resources.
Contribute to the organization's broader public health strategy and long-term planning initiatives.
Conduct systematic literature reviews and environmental scans to stay abreast of emerging public health research, trends, and evidence-based interventions.
Participate in and contribute to professional conferences, workshops, and agile team ceremonies to foster continuous learning and innovation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Proficiency in study design, surveillance methods, and statistical analysis.
Data Analysis Software: Demonstrated skill in using statistical packages such as SAS, R, Stata, or SPSS.
Program Planning & Evaluation: Expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating health programs using frameworks like Logic Models or RE-AIM.
Grant Writing & Management: Proven ability to write successful grant proposals and manage grant-funded projects.
Health Policy Analysis: Ability to analyze and interpret the impact of policies on public health outcomes.
GIS Mapping: Experience with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) for spatial analysis of health data.
Survey Design: Skill in developing, validating, and implementing quantitative and qualitative surveys.
Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA): Competency in methodologies for assessing community-level health status and needs.
Health Communication: Ability to develop and disseminate clear, accessible, and culturally appropriate health information.
Quantitative & Qualitative Research Methods: Strong foundation in both research methodologies for comprehensive data interpretation.

Soft Skills

Communication: Exceptional written, verbal, and public speaking skills for diverse audiences.
Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to build and maintain trust and collaboration with community partners and leaders.
Cultural Competency: Deep understanding and respect for diverse populations, ensuring equitable and inclusive practices.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Analytical mindset to identify root causes of health issues and develop innovative solutions.
Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple complex projects, timelines, and budgets effectively.
Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams to achieve shared goals.
Adaptability: Flexibility to navigate changing priorities, unexpected challenges, and evolving public health landscapes.
Leadership & Mentorship: Capacity to guide and support junior team members and influence positive change.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master of Public Health (MPH) or a Master of Science (MS) in a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Public Health
Epidemiology
Community Health Science
Health Promotion & Education
Sociology or Anthropology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5+ years of professional experience in a public health setting.

Preferred:

Experience working directly for a local, state, or federal public health agency or a community-based non-profit organization.
Direct experience with program management, data analysis, and community outreach.
A demonstrated record of securing grant funding and/or publishing research.