Shannon Ernst Accepts CNHD Administrator Position

Shannon Ernst, director of Churchill County Social Services, has accepted the position of administrator for the Central Nevada Health District (CNHD), pending ratification by the CNHD Board of Health.

Ernst notified Social Services staff this week that she has accepted the promotional appointment and will begin transitioning from her current role as director of Churchill County Social Services on March 20. In a memo to staff, Ernst stated she is not leaving Churchill County but moving into the district-level leadership role.

The CNHD administrator serves as the executive head of the multi-county health district and is responsible for day-to-day operations, implementation of Board of Health policy, enforcement of public health laws, grant oversight, budgeting, and staff supervision. Member counties include Churchill, Pershing, Mineral, and Eureka.

According to the official class specification for the position, the minimum qualifications include a master’s degree in public health, health care administration, public administration, business administration, or a related field, along with five years of management experience in an administrative position in a public health district, program, or agency — or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

During the Jan. 15 meeting of the CNHD, the board voted to restructure the administrator position after previous hiring efforts were unsuccessful.

The board removed the previously proposed “administrator/doctor” combined role and instead adopted a revised organizational structure.

At that same meeting, the board approved increasing the administrator pay scale from Grade 77 to Grade 85 in an effort to improve recruitment. The board also authorized an expedited hiring process allowing the chair to oversee advertising, screening, and interviews, and to negotiate with a candidate up to Step 10 before returning the selection to the full board for ratification. 

The administrator position carries an annual salary range of approximately $127,000 to $170,000 under the adopted Grade 85 scale. The Grade 77 range was $104,228 - $140,233.

Ernst has worked in Churchill County Social Services since 2003 and has been involved in regional coordination efforts during the formation of the rural health district. The Board of Health is expected to formally ratify the appointment at an upcoming meeting.

The CNHD Board of Health’s next scheduled meeting is March 4 at 3 p.m.