Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planner

Brief Job Description:
Performs highly visible, advanced, consultative, and technical work requiring specialized knowledge of public health and medical preparedness, response, and recovery activities. Work involves strategic planning, operational planning, research, meeting facilitation, tracking, writing, soliciting feedback, updating and evaluating internal DSHS public health and medical preparedness plans. Work also involves participating in the development and review of external preparedness and response plans containing public health and medical roles, including but not limited to assignments from partner agencies such as Texas Office of Homeland Security (TxOHS) and Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Works closely and liaises with other internal DSHS programs and external agencies to ensure clear delineation of roles and responsibilities in all state emergency management plans that include public health and medical roles. Participates in the development of internal Standard Operating Guides (SOG) to ensure that SOGs are aligned with agency-level plans. Provides technical assistance to regional and local stakeholders on the development of public health and medical preparedness plans. Assists in planning, assessing, and integrating lessons learned into improved models of public health preparedness. Works under limited supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employee actively participates in the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) or State Operations Center (SOC) during a disaster response and/or recovery efforts and completes all training and exercise requirements.    

This position actively participates in the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) or State Operations Center (SOC) during disaster response and/or recovery efforts and completes all training and exercise requirements. CHEPR supports DSHS’ mission of providing response support to the State Medical Operations Center and/or State Operations Center, requires staff to report onsite within two hours, and the ability to work 12-14 hour shifts. Disaster response activations can require working in-person, 7-days a week, for as long as 2-4 weeks, or more.

This position is eligible for 1 to 4 days telework in accordance with agency and division telework policy. This position’s ability to telework will be determined by CHEPR leadership, RLHO policy, and agency and division telework policies. The position will be required to come into the office, as directed, to fulfill essential job functions and for any public health response activations.

This position is 100% grant funded and is contingent on grant funding.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

(40%) Conducts planning and reviews plans. Convenes, coordinates and facilitates internal and external stakeholder workgroups to review, develop, clarify, update, and implement operational plans such as the DSHS Basic Plan and Annexes and Technical Guides. Coordinates with other DSHS programs to ensure that procedures exist to fulfill the programs’ roles and responsibilities during preparedness and response operations. Participates in the development and review of DSHS Tactical Documents, such as SOGs and Task Sheets, to ensure they reflect and expand upon DSHS roles identified in the DSHS operational plans and other State Emergency Management plans. Ensures the alignment of public health and medical components in emergency response plans per the National Response Framework. Works in close collaboration with all other Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR) staff to ensure all plans support the performance measures for the cooperative agreements. Works under limited supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

(20%) Participates in interagency planning meetings to update external plans that DSHS is written into. Works with TDEM and other State Emergency Management Council (SEMC) agencies to develop resources and strategies for meeting public health and medical needs as they are identified and with consideration of the CDC and ASPR cooperative agreements. Works with TxOHS to update strategic plans, risk assessments, and stakeholder reports annually. Work includes attending the external entities meeting, then facilitating meetings, as needed, with DSHS subject matter experts (SMEs) to gather the necessary information update the DSHS roles and responsibilities listed in the external entities operational or strategic preparedness and response plan. Negotiates realistic and achievable primary and support roles with other state agencies in regards to DSHS assigned public health and medical responsibilities.

(20%) Provides technical planning assistance and guidance to state, regional, and local public health stakeholders on the development of public health and medical preparedness plans. Works proactively to cultivate a team approach with public health and medical preparedness planners across the state. Researches the public health preparedness and response plans of other state, regional and local health departments to benchmark, determine best practices, identify lessons learned, and recommend to CHEPR leadership potential applications for plans in Texas. Identifies opportunities to engage other state, federal, regional, and local public health and emergency management authorities in coordinating preparedness, response and recovery activities.

(15%) Prepares reports and makes presentations to include specialized presentations and briefings for governmental officials, and DSHS and CHEPR leadership on public health preparedness and response activities. Participates in and/or facilitate public health preparedness outreach and education activities. Works with other DSHS staff to ensure plan revisions reflect lessons learned in after action reviews. Uses a variety of computer software, including Adobe Acrobat Professional, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point to prepare plans, reports, presentations, and briefings.

(5%) Performs related work as assigned. This may include actively participating during a disaster response and/or recovery effort, serving in a supporting role during a disaster response and/or recovery effort, and assisting in work to maintain continuity of operations of the agency during a disaster response and/or recovery effort.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications

Not Applicable

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of public health and medical preparedness and response.

Knowledge of the basic concepts of planning, training and exercising principles and methodologies.

Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and practices related to emergency management.

Knowledge of federal public health and medical programs related to preparedness and response.

Knowledge of organizational development.

Skill in writing strategic plans.

Skill in writing operational plans.

Skill in evaluating emergency management/public health and medical plans.

Skill in developing, implementing and evaluating complex plans and procedures.

Skill in problem identification, analysis, and resolution.

Skill in process techniques, teambuilding, negotiation and conflict resolution.

Skill in using computer software including word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and presentation software.

Skill in accurate and effective written and oral communication.

Skill in organizing, prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines to accomplish a number of simultaneous tasks.

Skill in managing and tracking multiple projects at different stages of development.

Skill in synthesizing and analyzing complex information for a variety of purposes.

Skill in providing technical assistance and training to a variety of stakeholders.

Ability to establish goals and objectives.

Ability to develop concise reports and presentations.

Ability to plan and conduct effective meetings.

Ability to interact effectively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds.

Ability to make public presentations and present complex information to a variety of audiences.

Ability to handle crisis situations.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, the public, government officials, partners and stakeholders.     

Initial Selection Criteria:

1. Two or more years of experience in public health, healthcare, emergency management or related field OR at least a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in public health, healthcare, emergency management, or directly related field of study.
2. Experience in the development and implementation of strategic, operational, and/or tactical plans, procedures, and/or protocols