Rural Health Program Manager

Job Description

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 34571
Agency: Department of Health - Division of Healthcare Access
Location:StatewideSalary: $68,950.98-$81,118.80 Annual Salary, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: K
Closing Date: 2/5/26

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Health- Division of Healthcare Access. For more information on the Department of Health, please visit https://doh.sd.gov/ .

The Rural Health Program Manager provides strategic leadership, planning, and operational oversight for statewide initiatives aimed at strengthening rural and frontier health systems across South Dakota. This position leads multi-year strategic efforts focused on access to care, workforce sustainability, care delivery innovation, and community-based solutions in rural and tribal communities.

The Program Manager works collaboratively with state and federal agencies, rural and critical access hospitals and clinics, tribal health organizations, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders to design, implement, and evaluate programs that improve health outcomes and system sustainability in South Dakota's rural and frontier regions.

This position will coordination progress and work of all rural health strategic initiatives to ensure alignment of deliverables, timelines, and reporting metrics while managing compliance of multiple statewide grant applications.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• This position will be a visionary lead for South Dakota's Office of Rural Health.
• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of rural health strategic initiatives aligned with state health priorities.
• Develop and execute strategic plans and assessments that address rural access to care, workforce shortages, financial sustainability, and care integration.
• Translate state and federal health policy into actionable programs for rural and frontier settings.
• Support sustainability planning for rural health programs beyond grant periods.
• Provide subject matter expertise on rural health policy.
• Implement and lead the South Dakota Rural Health Advisory Committee.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Serve as a liaison with rural and Critical Access Hospitals, rural clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), tribal health programs, and community organizations.
• Conduct regular travel throughout rural and frontier areas of South Dakota to support on-site engagement, technical assistance, and relationship-building to maintain strong partnerships with all stakeholders and healthcare organizations.
• Coordinate with federal partners (HRSA, CMS, USDA, CDC) and regional collaboratives.
• Provider leadership, development, and execution of the South Dakota Rural Health Advisory Committee.
• Program Operations & Management
• Oversee project timelines, deliverables, budgets, and performance metrics for multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Manage grants and contracts, including compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Work closely with rural health team members, agency-wide leadership, and manage consultant contract(s) as assigned.
• This position does not supervise.

Data, Evaluation & Reporting

• Establish performance measures to evaluate program impact on access, quality, cost, and equity.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to inform continuous improvement.
• Prepare reports, briefs, and presentations for state leadership, legislators, funders, and stakeholders.

Licenses and Certifications:
Project management certification (PMP® or equivalent) preferred.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Project management certification (PMP® or equivalent) preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of 5 years experience in health program management, public health, healthcare administration, or health policy.
• Demonstrated experience working with rural or frontier health systems.
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects or grant-funded programs.
• Knowledge and/or experience with federal or state health initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of rural and frontier health challenges.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including policy, grant, and technical writing.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as necessary.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and program management tools.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel extensively within South Dakota, including overnight travel.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed to support community engagement.

Working Conditions

• Combination of office and remote work (if approved).
• Frequent interaction with healthcare leaders, community members, and government officials.

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume and cover letter.

This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3CA
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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