Location: Erie,PA, USA
Job Description
Position: Public Health Preparedness Coordinator
Department
Public Health
Location
Erie County Department of Health
Status
Full Time
Starting Pay Rate
$22.94 Hourly
Hours Per Week
37.5
Exemption Status
Exempt
Posting Date
12/11/2024
Closing Date
12/27/2024
Pay Grade
NB14
Bargaining Unit
NON-BARGAINING
Posting Number
5235
Posting Notice: Erie County offers a generous fringe benefit package including: low cost medical, dental, and vision; fourteen paid holidays; up to eleven combined personal and vacation days in the first year of employment.
Definition of Class
* Responsible for analyzing and assessing needs and developing plans for countywide preparedness and response to bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. Participates in the development of plans and builds cooperation and coalitions with other public health and emergency service planners and providers; implements approved plans and is a lead member of the public health emergency on-call team of responders, as part of the capacity for a 24 hours per day, seven days per week emergency response plan. Assesses training needs, develops emergency response training exercises, and provides training or locates available training providers to satisfy training needs. Develops information and education for release to the public, and makes public presentations; prepares correspondence, records and reports. Performs reporting functions relating to grant requirements within prescribed time frames; develops emergency response plans and other resource materials. Performs duties and fulfills other responsibilities or contractual obligations as assigned. Estimates cost and prepares expense report for exercises, drills, and other preparedness related activities. Participates in disease investigations with the Epidemiologist and Nursing Supervisor. Supervises other staff as assigned during public health emergencies according to corresponding plan.
Duties & Responsibilities
* Develop, maintain and update a comprehensive public health emergency response plan that integrates with the Commonwealth Emergency Operations Plan, but is not limited to emergencies caused by bio terrorism, other infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health threats and emergencies.
* Collaborates with public health and public safety staff to assist health care organizations with their plan to receive, store, and distribute the Strategic National Stockpile.
* Assess and implement training needs with special emphasis on emergency department personnel, infectious disease specialists, public health staff and other health care providers.
* Update and maintain contact information and resource listings for individuals, equipment, and supplies needed for emergency operations.
* In conjunction with the ECDH Public Relations Officer, develop a risk communication and information dissemination plan that will educate the public regarding general exposure risks and recommend effective public response to urgent public health emergencies and threats.
* Participate and coordinate conferences, seminars and training exercises on all hazards topics.
* Participate with and serve on emergency response/public health preparedness committees, councils and associations.
* Develop local health department preparedness and response plan that is integrated with and supports plans of other local agencies (including, but not limited to, police and fire departments, EMS, EMA, hospitals and schools).
* Expand capacity for public health emergency preparedness and response through the development of current public health infrastructure including enhanced staff involvement.
* Organizes and leads specific projects or programs developed by the PADOH, to achieve CDC goals, objectives, and required critical tasks in a manner consistent with the PADOH Strategic Preparedness Plan, and ECDH All-Hazards Plan.
* Liaison with Health Department divisions to assist with the incorporation of public health preparedness concepts and activities in the daily duties.
* The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
* Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods used in emergency preparedness and response planning.
* Knowledge of disease processes biological agents and their health effects.
* Ability to analyze and assess capacity and gaps for a countywide emergency response plan.
* Ability to develop and implement an emergency response plan with all preparedness partners.
* Ability to coordinate the development of plans and build cooperation with public health staff, emergency service planners, providers, and community organizations.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public health staff, emergency response planners, providers, community organizations, and the general public.
* Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; ability to prepare and maintain detailed and clear plans, records and reports.
* Serve as the preparedness liaison to the ECDH Public Relations Officer.
* Ability to develop and present risk communication information to the ECDH Public Relations Officer.
* Ability to proficiently operate personal computers and related software, including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, etc.
* Ability to develop and participate in public health emergency response training exercises.
* Ability to supervise emergency response staff during events as described in appropriate response plans.
* Ability to satisfy requirements for 24/7 on-call status.
* Ability to function independently with little supervision.
Minimum Requirements
* Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Nursing or related field
* Minimum of 4 years of Experience in Public Health, Public Safety or Planning
* Must have a Valid Driver's License
Supervision Received
* An individual in this position must be able to work effectively under minimal supervision.
Conditions Of Employment
* The selected candidate will be pre-employment required to obtain, at their own expense, 3 forms of clearance, including PA State Police Criminal History Record Check; PA Child Abuse History; and FBI Criminal History Background Check including finger printing. This pre-employment requirement applies to all County employees exercising their bumping rights. Must complete Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) certification within one year of hire. Possession of a valid automobile operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and access to a vehicle on a 24/7 basis.