At the March 26 Executive Committee meeting, the committee approved suspending until the end of the declaration of emergency the requirement that the Board approves filling budgeted vacancies.
However, the Administrative Officers wishes to keep the Board informed when staff intends to fill budgeted, vacant positions. Two such positions are the Prevention Services director position and a registered nurse position in the TB elimination/refugee health program.
Current Prevention Services Director Nancy Furness intends to retire at the end of July. Her position is budgeted at $136,000 (salary and benefits). This position (Exhibit A) is under the direction of the Administrative Officer and is a member of the executive leadership team to advise on and carry out the mission and strategic plan of the Snohomish Health District. The PS director is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and administering the operations of programs within the Prevention Services division and assists the Health Officer with enforcement of the communicable disease control laws and regulations of Washington State. In the event of an emergency, serves as a member of the Incident Command Team.
The current RN in the TB elimination/refugee health program has accepted a vacant public health nurse position in the tuberculosis control program. This internal move results in a vacancy in the TB elimination/refugee health program. The full-time position (Exhibit B) performs refugee health screenings, provides screening and medications for individuals with latent TB infection, and assists TB control staff with contact testing. The position is budgeted in 2020 for $74,794 (salary and benefits). A new registered nurse will not exceed the budgeted cost and will likely be hired at a lower step, with a cost savings in 2020.