Human Resources

One of the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to the practice of public health has been on its workforce. Even with the influx of various relief packages from the federal and state governments, such as the CARES Act funds, most municipalities in Massachusetts chronically fail to address or meet adequate funding levels to hire and sustain sufficient health department staff. Unfortunately, the strains and stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused an exodus of more experienced, higher level local public health practitioners across the nation, including in Massachusetts. This has had the effect of increasing interest in the public health field in a whole new cohort of younger professionals.

Health department leadership needs to expand their workforce through the use of independent contractors, volunteers, and interns, as well as hiring and retaining a credentialed workforce. This chapter contains important information and resources for innovative management of an atypical public health workforce. These resources are especially timely in light of new and emerging public health workforce standards in Massachusetts.