District Program Development Specialist

Title: District Program Development Specialist

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist II

Hiring Range: $69,293 – $88,989

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: BLUE RIDGE HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/blue-ridge

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Public Health Infrastructure Grant for a period ending 11/30/27. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) is seeking to hire a District Program Development Specialist who will oversee our workforce development to join our dedicated team. This position plays a key role in strengthening the public health workforce by fostering a culture of continuous learning, engagement, and professional growth. The role collaborates across departments to ensure staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively serve the community.

About the Role
The District Program Development Specialist oversees district-wide workforce development initiatives, including professional development, onboarding, recruitment, retention, and employee wellness strategies.

Key duties include:
• Assessing training needs and developing curriculum for staff development
• Coordinating and delivering training programs and professional development initiatives
• Developing and implementing comprehensive onboarding processes
• Supporting recruitment and retention strategies, including partnerships with universities and internship programs
• Collaborating with HR, Equity, and leadership teams to enhance workforce engagement
• Managing and evaluating workforce-related programs and initiatives
• Supporting quality improvement efforts through data analysis and reporting
• Leading strategic planning efforts, supporting programmatic decision-making, and using data to improve District performance for key indicators.

Why Work for BRHD?
At BRHD, we are committed to our mission: to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Virginians. Our vision is working together for healthy, equitable communities, and we live by our values: accountability, communication, diversity, equity, excellence, integrity, respect, and stewardship. When you join our team, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a community of professionals who care deeply about the people we serve and each other.

Here’s what some of our team members say about working here:
• “I chose to work at BRHD because it helps me to match up my interest in science with public service. Working behind the scenes has allowed me the opportunity to protect the lives of thousands of people. This provides an ongoing sense of accomplishment and a true appreciation of the skills of my coworkers.”
• “I love and enjoy the BRHD mission, and it keeps me motivated every day. The benefits package is great. I appreciate the flexible schedule and low stress so that I can take care of my kids and family. Also, working with good people is great.”

Benefits of Working at VDH
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave. We offer work-life balance and opportunities for professional development and advancement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of public health including the 10 essential services of public health, the core competencies of public health, accreditation standards and public health 3.0. Ability to communicate to a wide audience using a variety of platforms (oral, written and online). Superb organizational skills
• Experience in teaching adults, curriculum development, instructional design, training needs assessments, evaluation
• Ability to communicate with adults to assess training needs in both one on one session and via survey
• Able to provide constructive feedback to trainers

Additional Considerations

• Experience working in a public health or government setting
• Experience with workforce development programs or accreditation processes
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and external partners (e.g., universities)
• Experience with data analysis, program evaluation, or quality improvement initiatives

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Tammy Richardson / Richard Bolden

Phone: 434-422-4556 / 434-972-6271

Email: Tammy.Richardson@vdh.virginia.gov / Richard.Bolden@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.