Job Details

Health Officer Position

Sonoma County is seeking a skilled and dynamic physician who is passionate about community health improvement as its next Health Officer. Recognized for its commitment to innovation and collaboration, the County of Sonoma strives to be the healthiest county in California. The Health Officer plays a key leadership role in bringing this vision to reality.

Nestled in the heart of Northern California Wine Country, Sonoma County is the largest county in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, covering over 1,600 square miles. It is located in the northernmost part of the Bay Area, about 30 miles north of San Francisco, and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Marin County and San Pablo Bay to the south, and Solano, Napa, and Lake Counties to the east. Sonoma County is known for amazing wines and legendary vineyards, as well as organic produce and sustainable farming. The County is also home to the scenic Russian River, a popular tourist destination where residents and visitors enjoy kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming.

Encompassing nine cities and five federally recognized tribes, more than a third of Sonoma County's almost 500,000 residents live in the City of Santa Rosa, the county seat, and a quarter live in unincorporated areas. Downtown areas such as Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sonoma, Healdsburg, and Guerneville offer a mix of historic architecture, boutique shopping, and gourmet dining, providing a small-town feel with modern amenities. Festivals, farmers' markets, and cultural events celebrate local talent and traditions. The County enjoys a diverse economy that includes agriculture, a world-class wine region, technology, healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, craft brewing, retail, and professional services.

While the latest census data shows that Sonoma County's proportion of white residents remains higher than the national average, the share of residents who identify as Hispanic or Latino also ranks higher than the national average, making up more than a quarter of residents (29% in 2022). 37% of County residents identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Education levels in Sonoma County exceed the national average and the County's public school system ranks considerably high within the state, including innovative charter schools and high-quality secondary education options at Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University. In 2022, the median household income in Sonoma County was $99,266. Although home prices reflect the value of living in an area that offers abundant amenities, the prices of Sonoma County homes remain among the more affordable in the greater Bay Area.

Visit and for additional information about Sonoma Countythe place to live, work, and build your career legacy.

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the community's health and well-being. With over 700 staff members and numerous community partners, the department offers a broad range of programs and services to promote and sustain health for individuals, families, and communities. The Department is supported by an adopted budget of approximately $501.6 million for FY 2024-25, with departmental operating expenditures totaling $332.4 million. The department's mission is to promote, protect, and ensure access to services supporting health, recovery, and well-being for all residents, guided by core values of equity, collaboration, and excellence. The Department of Health Services is composed of four Divisions:

• Executive Management & Administration : Provides leadership and administrative support, including compliance, finance, health policy planning and equity, legislative policy, health data and epidemiology, human resources, IT, and privacy and security.
• Behavioral Health : Offers mental health and substance use disorder services for all age groups, including those with Medi-Cal and the uninsured, directly and through community partnerships.
• Homelessness Services : Provides policy and funding guidance, staff support to the Homeless Coalition (Continuum of Care) Board, and care and outreach services to sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals.
• Public Health : Protects and promotes health through direct services and policy changes. Programs include Environmental Health and Safety, Family Health, WIC, Disease Control and Surveillance, Healthy Communities, Public Health Preparedness, Animal Services, the Regional Public Health Laboratory, and the Coastal Valleys Emergency Medical Services Agency.

The Health Officer is a vital leader within Sonoma County's Department of Health Services. Appointed by the Board of Supervisors and reporting to the Director of Health Services, the Health Officer plays a key role in protecting and promoting the health and safety of the community. This position provides expert medical oversight for public health programs and ensures compliance with public health regulations.

Working in partnership with the Director of Health Services, the Health Officer develops and refines medical policies and protocols that guide the department's work. This individual also serves as a trusted advisor to elected officials, healthcare professionals, and the public, offering guidance on critical public health issues and strategies to address them.

While the Director of Health Services manages the department's overall operations, budget, and programmatic functions, the Health Officer focuses on medical leadership, shaping the County's public health approach, and fostering a healthy, thriving community. Key responsibilities include:

• Monitor and Assess Community Health: Evaluate the health needs of the community using epidemiological surveys and statistical methods. Provide insights to inform public health policies and design impactful health interventions.
• Enforce Public Health Regulations: Ensure compliance with local health orders, ordinances, and regulations set by state and federal agencies to safeguard the community's well-being.
• Represent and Collaborate: Act as a representative of the Department of Health Services in meetings with professional, medical, community, and government organizations at local, state, and national levels. Build partnerships with agencies, community organizations, and County officials to align efforts and advance public health goals.
• Engage with the Public and Media: Serve as a trusted source of information on public health issues, responding to media inquiries and offering guidance to community agencies on pressing health matters.
• Lead Emergency Preparedness: Collaborate with the department's Emergency Medical Services Program Administrator to oversee disaster and emergency preparedness efforts and lead public health responses during crises.
• Oversee Vital Records: Manage the registration of births and deaths in Sonoma County and ensure proper oversight of the disposition of human remains.

The ideal candidate is passionate about serving the public and finding collaborative solutions to complex health challenges. Trustworthy, approachable, flexible, and decisive, this individual will bring strong leadership and a forward-thinking mindset to the role. They will:

• Think Strategically: Develop and implement innovative strategies that advance the health goals of the community and identify opportunities for meaningful engagement.
• Lead with Expertise: Provide forward-thinking leadership in community health, preventive medicine, environmental health, emergency medical services, and integrated behavioral health.
• Be Results-Oriented: Drive actions that improve social factors influencing health outcomes, with hands-on experience in community health practice and a commitment to achieving measurable results.
• Innovate and Initiate: Identify new opportunities to combine resources and partnerships, advancing impactful community health policies and initiatives.
• Build Strong Relationships: Foster collaboration with County departments, community partners, and healthcare organizations, leveraging their strengths and roles to promote a shared vision for a healthier community.
• Communicate Effectively: Demonstrate exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to deliver compelling presentations that inspire engagement and action.
• Work Independently and Collaboratively: Excel in independent decision-making while thriving in team environments that support the Department of Health Services' Vision, Mission, and Strategic Plan.

Sonoma County provides a competitive compensation and benefits package. The salary for this role is $281,051 - $341,598, with specific placement within the range dependent on qualifications and experience. In addition, a 4% cost of living adjustment is scheduled for March 2025. Key elements of the County's benefits program include:

• Hybrid, flexible work-schedule
• Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and generous sick leave accruals.
• Health Benefits: A range of health plans with several options, in which the premium benefits cover