ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV), PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE & PREVENTION

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV), PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE & PREVENTION

Salary

$160,734.08 - $169,404.04 Annually

Location

Houston

Job Type

Executive Level

Job Number

39524

Department

Houston Health Department

Opening Date

09/08/2026

Closing Date

9/16/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: CURRENT HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY

DIVISION: PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE & PREVENTION

REPORTING LOCATION: 8000 N. STADIUM

WORKDAYS & HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM

ABOUT HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT - PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE & PREVENTION DIVISION

The Houston Health Department is seeking an experienced and strategic public health executive to serve as Assistant Director of Infectious Disease Surveillance, Prevention & Laboratory Services. This position provides executive leadership and administrative oversight for a broad portfolio of programs and functions that protect the health of Houston residents through disease prevention, surveillance, investigation, laboratory services, immunization, data analytics, and timely public health response.

The Assistant Director provides strategic direction and operational oversight for Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/STI prevention and services, Immunizations, Epidemiology and Outbreak Management, Data Science, and Laboratory Services. The position is responsible for integrating these functions to strengthen the Department's ability to identify emerging health threats, monitor disease trends, rapidly respond to outbreaks, and implement evidence-based interventions that improve community health outcomes.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Houston Health Department is seeking an experienced and strategic public health executive to serve as Assistant Director of the Public Health Surveillance & Prevention Division. This executive-level position provides leadership and oversight for Public Health surveillance, epidemiology, prevention, investigation, and emergency response activities.

The Assistant Director leads strategies to identify and respond to Public Health threats while ensuring programs are aligned with public health priorities, scientific evidence, accreditation standards, and applicable local, state, and federal requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and administrative oversight for infectious disease prevention, surveillance, investigation, laboratory, immunization, epidemiology, and data science functions.
• Oversees the Department's Tuberculosis, HIV/STI, Immunization, Epidemiology and Outbreak Management, Data Science, and Laboratory Services and ensures alignment with departmental priorities, public health objectives, regulatory requirements, and community needs.
• Leads the integration of epidemiologic surveillance, laboratory data, clinical information, and other public health data sources to identify trends, assess risks, guide interventions, and support timely decision-making.
• Provides executive oversight of disease surveillance and investigation activities, including the identification, assessment, and response to communicable disease threats and outbreaks.
• Directs strategies to strengthen the Department's capacity to detect, investigate, contain, and mitigate infectious disease threats and emerging public health concerns.
• Oversees the development and implementation of evidence-based strategies to improve immunization coverage, infectious disease prevention, and population health outcomes.
• Provides leadership for laboratory operations and ensures services support disease surveillance, diagnosis, investigation, environmental and public health needs, and other departmental priorities.
• Ensures epidemiologic and laboratory capabilities are effectively integrated with field operations and other public health programs to support coordinated and timely responses to community health concerns.
• Uses data science, analytics, performance measures, and emerging technologies to improve surveillance, identify disparities, evaluate program effectiveness, and inform resource allocation and policy decisions.
• Establishes performance expectations and accountability measures for assigned programs; monitors operational, financial, workforce, and service delivery outcomes and takes corrective action when needed.
• Ensures programs maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, accreditation standards, grant requirements, and departmental policies.
• Develops and maintains effective partnerships with healthcare providers, hospitals, laboratories, community organizations, academic institutions, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders to strengthen infectious disease prevention and response.
• Provides executive leadership during significant disease events and outbreaks, coordinating resources, personnel, communications, data, laboratory support, and operational response across the Department and with external partners.
• Evaluates emerging public health issues and recommends strategies, policies, organizational changes, and resource investments necessary to address evolving community health needs.
• Oversees the development and management of federal, state, local, and other funding sources supporting assigned areas of responsibility, including grant compliance, performance reporting, and fiscal accountability.
• Builds and sustains a high-performing leadership team through clear expectations, professional development, succession planning, workforce planning, and performance management.
• Represents the Houston Health Department with community partners, healthcare organizations, governmental entities, professional organizations, and other stakeholders on matters related to infectious disease prevention, surveillance, laboratory services, and public health response.
• Collaborates with other executive leaders to ensure public health services are coordinated across divisions and that resources are strategically aligned to address the City's highest-priority health needs.
• Additional programs, functions, or areas of responsibility may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the Department and the community to ensure the Houston Health Department is positioned to effectively address emerging public health priorities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort in a normal office environment.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Seven years of administrative experience are required, with at least three of those years in a managerial capacity.

A Masters degree may be substituted for two years of experience.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to candidates who have the following:

• Masters degree in Public Health (MPH), Epidemiology, Nursing, Health Administration, Public Administration, or a related field. Doctoral degree (DrPH, PhD, MD, or DNP) preferred.
• Experience providing executive leadership for Public Health, epidemiology, surveillance, or communicable disease programs within a public health organization.
• Experience overseeing Public Health prevention programs, including HIV/STI, tuberculosis, immunization, or emerging Public Health response.
• Experience leading disease surveillance systems, outbreak investigations, and public health response activities.
• Experience interpreting epidemiologic data and using analytics to guide policy, planning, and operational decisions.
• Experience leading emergency response activities using Incident Command System (ICS) and emergency management principles.
• Experience collaborating with healthcare systems, laboratories, academic institutions, community organizations, and governmental agencies.
• Experience managing public health grants, contracts, budgets, and complex funding sources.
• Experience developing strategic plans, performance measures, quality improvement initiatives, and organizational improvement strategies.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in a large public health, healthcare, or governmental organization.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION No

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidates qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 32

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832-393-0453).

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832-393-0453). (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individuals sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes
• No

02

Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma / GED
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the Above

03

Which best describes your years of experience that relate to the duties of this position?

• I have no experience that directly relates to the duties of this position.
• Less than 5 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 7 - 8 years
• 9 - 10 years
• 11 or more years of related experience

04

Please describe your related experience. If none use N/A.

05

Which best describes your years of experience in a managerial capacity?

• I have no managerial experience
• I have less than 3 years of managerial experience
• I have 3 or more years of managerial experience

06

Do you have previous Senior Leadership experience within the Houston Health Department?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have executive-level leadership experience overseeing multiple public health functions, such as infectious disease surveillance and investigation, tuberculosis, HIV/STI prevention and services, immunization, epidemiology, laboratory services, or public health data and analytics?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered yes to Question #7, briefly describe the scope of your leadership responsibilities, including the programs or functions overseen and the size of the organization or workforce. If you answered no, use N/A. (See resume is not an acceptable answer.)

09

Do you have experience leading or coordinating a response to a communicable disease outbreak or public health emergency?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answered yes to Question #9, briefly describe your role. If you answered no, use N/A. (See resume is not an acceptable answer.)

11

Do you have experience collaborating with federal, state, or local public health agencies (e.g., CDC, Texas Department of State Health Services) on Public Health initiatives?

• Yes
• No

12

If you answered yes to Question #11, briefly describe your role. If you answered no, use N/A. (See resume is not an acceptable answer.)

13

This position may be activated as part of the Departments Incident Command System (ICS) response during public health emergencies or other critical events. Are you willing and able to work extended hours, non-traditional schedules, nights, weekends, or holidays when operational needs require?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Houston

Address 901 Bagby St

Houston, Texas, 77002

Website https://www.houstontx.gov/