Jessica Guernsey
Portland
Summary
Possesses versatile skills in management, problem-solving, applied equity strategies, communications and collaboration. Brings fresh perspective and strong commitment to achieving outcomes, change management, engaging teams for success, and valuing and growing strengths on teams. Recognized for adaptability and proactive approach in delivering effective solutions.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Health Department Strategic Project Support
Multnomah County Health Department
06.2023 - Current
- Develop rapid response team to hire prioritized health department senior leaders and execute contracts for key Department initiatives
- Develop and staff budget strike team to provide coordinated support to the Department for budget development
- Provide strategic thought partnership for change management in the Public Health Division and across the Department
- Provide supplemental communications support for change management and budget communications
- Provide mentoring, coaching and on-boarding support to designated leaders as assigned by Department Director
Public Health Director
Multnomah County Health Department
10.2020 - 12.2023
- Serve as the for Local Public Health Administrator for Multnomah County
- Provide direction and support to Multnomah County leadership and Board of Health to respond to emerging and persistent health crises including responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Direct strategic and administrative functions of the Public Health Division (PHD)
- Develop and manage division budget
- Develop and implement applied health equity framework consistent with and supportive of the Multnomah County Workforce Equity Strategic Plan
- Develop and support senior public health management team
- Provide liaison support across Metro County regional public health partners and to the State
- Spokesperson for media requests for public health media requests
Public Health Operations Director
Multnomah County Health Department
06.2017 - 10.2020
- Develop operational systems to support the development of newly formed public health division
- Manage all operational supports of the public health division including finances, project management, technology support, communications, facilities and quality
- Build and support project management teams for strategic and operational change initiatives across the public health division
- Develop quality improvement systems specific to budget and finance and operating procedures
- Develop and support systems and practices to implement recommendations from the Health Department Diversity and Quality Team
- Provide strategic thought partnership and support to the Public Health Director
Maternal Child and Family Health Director
Multnomah County Health Department
09.2012 - 05.2017
- Lead implementation of best practices in public health in Maternal Child and Family Health (MCFH)
- Manage a large, complex budget made up of county general fund, several revenue streams, grants and contracts
- Manage and cultivate a senior management team and a staff of over 100 employees
- Lead large change management initiatives in MCFH and in the larger Public Health Division
- Lead and support culture change with an equity lens and a racial justice approach in support of the Public Health Division Strategic plan
- Participate in the Public Health Enterprise Team to plan and implement division-wide change initiatives
- Independently represent MCHD in local, state and Federal planning and advisory groups
- Provide subject-matter expertise in policy analysis in MCFH-related legislation
Program Manager, Community Health Services Operations and Special Projects
Multnomah County Health Department
08.2009 - 08.2012
- Lead implementation of public health best practice within Community Health Services (CHS) programs as part of the Community Epidemiology Services team
- Lead department-wide public health strategy and planning development for system-wide care
- Lead the development of the intersection of public health practice in health system transformation
- Support leadership transition and change management across public health programs
- Provide support and leadership to implement the use of Multnomah County Health Equity Lens in public health programs
- Develop internal and external communication strategies in close collaboration with County Communications
- Support quality improvement processes addressing healthcare and business financing in CHS programs
- Support operational implementation of departmental policies
- Lead Public Information Officer and Incident Management Team Incident Commander
- Lead and coordinate CHS special projects as assigned by CHS Director, Health Officer group, and Health Department Director
- Supervise communications and health education staff
- Represent MCHD at local and state public health and community coalitions, operate with a high degree of independence and comfort with ambiguity
- Represent MCHD at the Conference of Local Health Officials in specified areas (Funding Formula Subcommittee) and assure appropriate coordination at department level
Program Supervisor
Multnomah County Health Department
02.2007 - 07.2009
- Supervise and coordinate pandemic influenza community engagement and associated planning activities with a high level of independence
- Coordinate with local and state jurisdictions for pandemic flu planning
- Coordinate across CHS programs for pandemic flu planning
- Supervise staff and volunteers
- Manage related budgets and grants reporting
- Supervise and implement best practices to prevent HIV and Hepatitis C in at-risk populations
- Coordinate heroin overdose prevention activities and set up internal surveillance system
- Internal and external program communications and public information support
- Represent MCHD in departmentally coordinated activities
- Represent MCHD at the Conference of Local Health Officials in specified areas (Public Health Emergency Preparedness Leadership Team) and assure appropriate coordination at department level
- Support operational implementation of departmental policies
- Member of the Health Promotion Community of Practice, participant in developing the MCHD Empowering Health Promotion Framework and change process
Health Educator
Multnomah County Health Department
08.2001 - 02.2007
- Develop, implement and evaluate health education/health promotion support to all aspects of MCHD HIV/HCV Community Program
- Assist in the implementation of the Centers for Disease Control Viral Hepatitis Grant in Multnomah County
- Assist in the development of the Multnomah County Hepatitis C Prevention and Care Strategic Plan
- Develop and implement syringe exchange volunteer program
- Implement best practices to support behavioral counseling
- Represent MCHD in statewide and local planning activities
- Provide training and support for implementation of Motivational Interviewing in MCHD programs
- Grant writing and reporting
- Represent MCHD in departmentally coordinated activities
Program Development Specialist
Multnomah County Health Department
02.2001 - 08.2001
- Review heroin overdose death records and police reports
- Make recommendations on overdose prevention strategies
- Participate in overdose prevention community planning
Program Supervisor
Willamette Bridge/Janus Youth Programs
06.1999 - 07.2001
- Supervise and coordinate federal grant to work with runaway and homeless youth
- Coordinate street outreach volunteer program
- Supervise homeless youth peer education program
- Supervise youth employment program
- Supervise staff and volunteers
- Grant writing and reporting
Graduate Assistant
Portland State University
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Prepare curriculum for undergraduate courses at Portland State University School of Community Health
- Grant-writing support for faculty at School of Community Health
Education
Master - Public Health, Health Promotion
Portland State University
Portland, OR06.2002
Bachelor of Science - Women’s Health
University of Maryland
06.1996
Skills
- Health program design and management
- Application of Public Health Principles
- Quality improvement
- Equity Strategy Development and Implementation
- Strategic Program Development
- Budget Management
- Workforce development
- Strategic planning
- Change management
- Innovation support
- Administrative systems development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategic Communication Planning
- Organizational change
Specialized Training
- Motivational Interviewing and stage-based behavioral counseling
- Mindful leadership
- Popular education methodologies
- Facilitative Leadership
Degree
MPH
Highlights Of Skills And Professional Strengths
- Design and manage complex community health programs utilizing core public health, quality improvement, and health equity principles and strategies, from program planning to budgeting, grant writing and reporting, writing protocols, workforce development and supervision/management
- Balance programmatic, departmental and community needs through leading strategic planning, change management, and supporting innovation
- Develop administrative systems for managing projects, monitoring budgets, tracking activities, and collecting program data for reports, evaluation, and program improvement processes
- Work with a range of stakeholder groups and leaders to leverage internal and external assets, support innovation, develop coalitions, and create partnerships to address complex community health issues
- Develop internal and external communication strategies and systems
- Translate departmental policies into supportive operations for public health programming
- Apply an equity lens to addressing health outcomes through effective implementation of empowering health promotion, quality improvement and organizational change processes
- Provide technical support and input to legislation and policies that impact health outcomes
Timeline
Health Department Strategic Project Support
Multnomah County Health Department
06.2023 - Current
Public Health Director
Multnomah County Health Department
10.2020 - 12.2023
Public Health Operations Director
Multnomah County Health Department
06.2017 - 10.2020
Maternal Child and Family Health Director
Multnomah County Health Department
09.2012 - 05.2017
Program Manager, Community Health Services Operations and Special Projects
Multnomah County Health Department
08.2009 - 08.2012
Program Supervisor
Multnomah County Health Department
02.2007 - 07.2009
Health Educator
Multnomah County Health Department
08.2001 - 02.2007
Program Development Specialist
Multnomah County Health Department
02.2001 - 08.2001
Program Supervisor
Willamette Bridge/Janus Youth Programs
06.1999 - 07.2001
Graduate Assistant
Portland State University
01.1997 - 01.1998
Bachelor of Science - Women’s Health
University of Maryland
Master - Public Health, Health Promotion
Portland State University
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