Under the daily guidance of the Preparedness Supervisor, the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator assumes a critical role in coordinating and overseeing public health emergency preparedness initiatives, particularly concerning Emergency Service Function - 8 (ESF-8). This position entails program coordination, educational development, training facilitation, and collaboration with stakeholders. Additionally, it involves contributing to the development of local and regional ESF-8 plans. As part of the Preparedness and Response program, the coordinator may be required to adapt to emergency response conditions, including changes in work hours, travel, and duties.
Responsibilities
Coordinate, develop, and deliver educational and training programs related to public health emergency preparedness.
Conduct continuing education training and competency evaluations for regional staff.
Provide training to local health departments, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public.
Assist in the development of local and regional ESF-8 public health and medical plans.
Maintain close collaboration with local, state, federal emergency management, and public health officials.
Offer technical assistance to public health and emergency management stakeholders, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public on ESF-8 functions.
Serve as a member of the Region 8 Incident Management structure during emergency response and recovery operations.
Assist with supporting ESF-8 needs at local emergency operations centers (EOCs), Disaster District Emergency Operations Center (DDEOCs), or Regional Health and Medical Operations Center (RHMOC) during planned and unplanned events.
Work under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Must be able to independently travel within the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions as needed.
Essential Job Functions
40 % - ESF-8 TRAINING: Manage the training activities including training records of the public health preparedness program. Responsible for the development, coordination and provision of training activities related to public health emergency preparedness, emergency management, and health and safety. Designs, develops, and prepares needed curricula, course outlines and learning objectives based on identified needs and grant requirements. Develops course outlines, training aids, presentations, manuals, and other instructional materials. Delivers training in a classroom or virtual format using appropriate training methods and techniques. Evaluates training materials, delivery methods, content, and effectiveness and incorporates evaluation results into future trainings. Position will work closely with the Training and Exercise Coordinator.
35% - ESF-8 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Works closely with colleagues and external partners including city and county emergency management and/or public health organizations, DSHS, other state agencies, volunteer groups and private industry to develop Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans. Work within the emergency management system to build and strengthen their abilities to effectively respond to a range of public health threats, including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events. Provides medical/clinical insight on plans, processes, standard operating guidelines, and other documents as needed. Serves as subject matter expert for personal protective equipment and provides fit testing for public health responders. Serves as the CHEMPACK program point of contact and maintains all training and plans associated with the CHEMPACK program. Maintains awareness of public health responder mental health/disaster behavioral health and disseminates information and resources as appropriate to build public health responder resilience.
10% - ESF-8 EXERCISE Planning: In close coordination with the Training and Exercise Coordinator, assists in the facilitation of ESF-8 preparedness exercises including facilitated discussions, tabletop exercises, functional exercises, and/or full-scale exercises following Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program guidance. Responsible for the information gathering and follow up for after-action reports and improvement plans.
10% - ESF-8 RESPONSE: Participates in the on-call rotation providing 24/7/365 phone coverage for the reporting of infectious diseases and public health emergencies. Responds to Public Health emergencies, including natural disasters, bio-terrorism, disease outbreaks, and other disasters. Assumes an active role in the regional incident command structure during public health responses and/or exercises. Serves as a DSHS Region 8, ESF-8 liaison to the Disaster District Emergency Operations Center (DDEOC) during disaster response activations. May deploy to an affected jurisdiction in the region to assist with emergency response and recovery efforts.
5% - OTHER DUTIES: Performs other duties as assigned to include but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery and/or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Complies with the DSHS Immunization Policy.
Knowledge Skills Abilities
Knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to local/county, DSHS, state, and federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of emergency management, hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, disaster preparedness or emergency response as it relates to ESF-8, Public Health Emergency Preparedness.
Knowledge of the basic concepts of planning, training and exercising principles and methods.
Knowledge of training and development procedures and techniques.
Knowledge of adult training and delivery methodologies.
Skill in effective communication, verbally and in writing.
Skill in problem identification, analysis and resolution.
Skill in developing and implementing complex plans and procedures.
Skill in managing and tracking multiple projects at different stages of development.
Skill in operating a variety of office and specialized equipment including a laptop computer with a variety of software (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite, e.g. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), plotter, projectors, camera, GPS device, binoculars, communications devices such as two-way radio, satellite radio/phone, and other specialized audio-visual equipment.
Ability to organize and prioritize one's workload and meet deadlines.
Ability to prepare complex written reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with external and internal partners.
Ability to convey technical information in lay terms that can be understood by people with a variety of educational and working backgrounds..
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work other than normal working hours during emergencies.
Ability to travel for extended time-frame as needed.
Registration Or Licensure Requirements
Currently or previously certified/licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services or EMS Compact Member State
as a Licensed Paramedic, EMT-Paramedic, Advanced EMT, EMT-Basic, or equivalent. Other medical certifications/licenses may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Texas Class C driver’s license or equivalent from another state with the intent to obtain a Texas driver’s license.
Ability to obtain a Class A Exempt driver’s license within 12 months of employment.
Completion of IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 FEMA courses
Initial Selection Criteria
Applicants must clearly state how they meet each of the required initial screening criteria below.
Bachelor's degree in public health, emergency management, or a related field and 1 year of experience in public health emergency preparedness or a related field, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience (one year of experience equating to one year of education).
Experience in emergency management principles, practices, and procedures.
Additional Information
Your application must be complete. It MUST include dates of employment, job titles, name of employer, and a description of job duties performed in a way that specifically demonstrates that you meet the initial selection criteria.
Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to input your information into the application portal.
“See Resume” is not an acceptable response on the application. Resumes attached and /or pasted into the resume field are not considered equivalent to the State Application.
You are welcome to include a resume in addition to but not instead of your completed State Application.
Options for telework are available after probationary period.
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
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