Preparedness Planning Coordinator

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description:

Duties are performed under the supervision of the Preparedness Supervisor and using guidance from the DSHS Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response. Develops, documents, and maintains preparedness plans, standard operating guidelines, standard operating procedures and implementation of public health mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities. Develops and maintains processes and materials such as guidance or flowcharts supporting the regional emergency operations center. Represents PHR 7 at meetings with partners including local health departments, Councils of Government, Regional Advisory Councils, emergency management officials, healthcare professionals, schools, community-based organizations and other entities. Assumes an active role in the regional incident command structure during public health emergencies.  Participates in 24/7/365 coverage of the regional notifiable disease reporting hotline.  Works under limited supervision with extensive latitude for use of initiative and independent judgement.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

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

25% Coordinates regional planning activities. Develops, documents and maintains plans, regional strategies, standard operating guidelines, standard operating procedures, and implementation instructions relating to public health emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and continuity of operation activities for Public Health Region 7. Plans and guidelines may include the public health response to events such as of bioterrorism, chemical exposure, disease outbreaks, weapons of mass destruction and other events that affect the public’s health. Coordinates with DSHS staff at state and regional levels, local governmental entities and other community organizations in updating plans based on after action reviews and lessons learned from exercises and incidents relating to all-hazards mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Contacts appropriate stakeholders during the planning process to ensure inclusion of many perspectives during the planning process. Works with the DSHS Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response to ensure coordination and integration with statewide planning efforts.

15% Develops processes and tools supporting the regional emergency operations center. Ensure team members are kept up to date on federal and state guidance related to the operation of public health and medical emergency operations centers. Ensures electronic and hard copy documents and files necessary for an emergency response are current and readily available to regional staff.

30% Assists with regional preparedness and response coordination efforts. Works closely with other team members and external partners to develop and maintain public health preparedness and ESF-8 response plans, to exercise ESF-8 capabilities, and to strengthen community resilience across Region 7. Represents DSHS PHR 7 at meetings with partners and stakeholders. Provides technical assistance on public health and ESF-8 planning, exercising, and response to local health departments and to county officials in assigned counties. Participates in and documents drills. Maintains contact information for key partners.

10% Participates in public health preparedness projects, planning, activities, meetings, and documentation. Contributes to the development, writing, interpretation, and implementation of public health preparedness guidelines, protocols, and plans. Participates in or leads other projects and activities in accordance with the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement. Develops and maintains knowledge and skills in public health preparedness. Appropriately documents all activities supporting public health preparedness.

15% Participates in Public Health emergency monitoring and response. Participates in the on-call rotation providing 24/7/365 phone coverage for the reporting of infectious diseases and public health emergencies. May respond to a Public Health emergency, including a bioterrorism event, disease outbreak or disaster anywhere in state. Assumes an active role in the regional incident command structure during public health emergencies and/or exercises. Serves as liaison with federal, state, and local agencies in matters concerning the coordination of public health emergency plans and services. Works with PHR7 emergency response personnel, and city, county, state and federal officials on coordination during an event.

5% 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to performance in this position:

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

Knowledge of emergency preparedness and response.

Knowledge of state and local health organizations that offer health services.

Knowledge of state and federal health services available to local communities during emergencies and disasters.

Knowledge of the basic concepts of planning principles and methodologies.

Skill in developing and implementing complex plans and procedures.

Skill in problem identification, analysis, and resolution.

Skill in conducting risk/needs assessments.

Skill in providing customer service and support.

Skill in process facilitation techniques, team building negotiation, conflict resolution and vision building.

Skill in organizing, prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines.

Skill in developing, implementing, and evaluating community health preparedness plans.

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

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 participate as a proactive team member within regional and community work group(s).

Ability to work effectively with managers, co-workers, members of the public and professional groups.

Ability to manage and coordinate activities and projects.

Ability to make public presentations and provide training.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including preparation of detailed reports.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience working in public health or emergency management OR experience developing response or operational plans

A bachelor degree in public health, public administration, emergency management, or related field.

Preferred: Applicable graduate degree may be substituted for experience.

Preferred: Completion of ICS 300 and 400

Preferred: Experience in public health emergency or other disaster response

Additional Information:

This is a grant funded position.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. All fields on the application must be completed. Applicants should provide information relevant to the required experience and selection criteria for this position in their employment history.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form