JOB TITLE: PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS SPECIALIST

JOB CODE: 39432

DEFINITION: This is professional and administrative work coordinating and leading public health preparedness and response planning activities in the Department of Health.

An employee in this job plans, develops, and leads regional Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) programs to ensure public health capabilities are effectively maintained and ready to be implemented during a natural or man-made disaster. Work involves partnering with county health departments and overseeing all facets of PHEP planning, development, and implementation. Work includes educating regional partners on the roles, resources, and capabilities of the public health system in emergencies and disasters; establishing internal and external partner relationships with healthcare organizations and other preparedness and response stakeholders; providing guidance and technical training to healthcare coalitions and their members for PHEP plan development and implementation. Work includes leading and coordinating PHEP meetings, organizing and conducting simulated system-wide exercises, assessing the health care delivery system’s response, and preparing after-action reports and recommendations for plan improvements. Work also includes analyzing public health data for impact to regional and statewide PHEP plans and preparing and maintaining procedural manuals, statistical reports, and other related documents. Work is performed independently and reviewed by an administrative supervisor for effectiveness in meeting program objectives and conformance with state and federal regulations.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Provides technical training, resources, and guidance to build and strengthen PHEP capabilities in responding to public health threats, including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events.

• Confers with local government agencies and healthcare coalitions and prepares emergency response plans for medical countermeasure deployment.

• Coordinates and leads PHEP meetings and trainings for emergency management agencies, local government agencies, healthcare community organizations, regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) councils, county and regional non-governmental organizations, and volunteers to ensure a comprehensive statewide PHEP system.

• Organizes, conducts, and participates in planned exercises to evaluate PHEP capabilities within the public health sector, analyzes PHEP after-action reports, and makes recommendations for improvement.

• Travels to provide in-person support during emergencies and consult with regional emergency responders and command center communicators to report impacted jurisdictions and receive and respond to department directives.

• Prepares written reports and recommends program improvements to assist with policy-making decisions.

• Attends and conducts meetings of federal, state, military, local, and civic groups to promote PHEP policies and activities.

• Monitors program expenditures for compliance with department workplans and federal grant requirements.

• Analyzes legislation and reports related to threats, hazards, risks, assets, and resources to develop and modify PHEP plans and shares findings with internal and external stakeholders.

• Drafts correspondence from the department in response to legislative inquiries.

• Drafts fliers, correspondence, and other documents on pertinent public health news and information for public distribution.

• Reviews and contributes to the department’s annual PHEP work plans and goals.

• Develops and maintains procedural manuals and program files for PHEP planning.

• Operates motor vehicles.

• Performs other related duties as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and standards of public health and emergency response operations.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to plan, coordinate, and conduct analytical studies, surveys, and reports.

• Ability to conduct training in various public health emergency preparedness and response subjects.

• Ability to prepare accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

• Ability to operate motor vehicles.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Three years of professional experience in planning, developing, evaluating, or operating a public health emergency preparedness, healthcare emergency preparedness, or emergency management program;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.