Deputy Director of Planning & Preparedness (Exempt)

Government of the Virgin Islands

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of a Director or designee, this position assists in overseeing the planning, prevention, detection, protection, response, and recovery activities for territorial emergencies, and coordinates efforts with other agencies. The Deputy Director Planning & Preparedness is responsible for public health and/or emergency management, working with various stakeholders to ensure readiness for diverse threats and hazards. This includes developing and updating planning frameworks, coordinating multi-agency efforts, and ensuring compliance with federal and territorial rules. The position oversees emergency management activities and logistics across all major islands, supports ESF-8 Health and Medical Lifeline coordination, leads THIRA and SPR submissions, tracks performance metrics, and maintains emergency response and recovery plans. The role also advocates for community needs and participates in homeland security operations. Work is performed at the pleasure of the Governor, and the incumbent may be assigned by leadership or management to fill roles as needs or shortages arise. This position requires a confidential relationship to a policy maker.

Requirements

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Public Health, Business Administration, Homeland Security, or any closely related field, and five (5) years of emergency management or response related work experience, including two (2) in a supervisory capacity.
OR Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Public Health, Health Sciences, Business Administration, Homeland Security, or any closely related field and seven (7) years of emergency management or response related work experience, including one (1) in a supervisory capacity.
Knowledge of emergency management frameworks, including NIMS/ICS principles as well as FEMA CPG 101 (emergency operations plan development) and CPG 201 (Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment) methodologies.
Knowledge of the development and reporting requirements for THIRA/SPR under federal preparedness grants.
Knowledge of CDC PHEP and ASPR HPP cooperative agreement requirements.
Knowledge of federal grant management, budget execution, and closeout procedures.
Knowledge of public health emergency response systems including medical countermeasures and surge capacity.
Knowledge of healthcare coalition development and sustainability.
Knowledge of logistics functions in the field.
Knowledge of management principles, organizational and program analysis, and supervisory techniques.
Skill with fiscal control methods.
Skill in computer applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, and Outlook).
Skill in using general office equipment, such as telephones, fax machines, printers, copiers, calculators, and computers.
Ability to assign and instruct staff as well as supervise the performance of their work.
Ability to plan and supervise the review of operating procedures and to provide advice and assistance to managers.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, demonstrating professionalism.
Ability to manage multi-million-dollar federal grant portfolios with competing deadlines and coordinate activities across geographic boundaries in a multi-island territory.
Ability to maintain essential records, prepare reports, and correspondence.
Ability to identify, recognize, analyze, and interpret management problems in the administration or coordination of programs, plans, or projects, developing appropriate policies and procedures to address those challenges.

Nice To Haves

Experience with field logistics enhances operational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

Communicates and coordinates emergency management goals, activities, and territorial logistics for preparedness initiatives across the Government of the Virgin Islands, including VITEMA, the Department of Health, and all major islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, and Water Island).
Advocates for the emergency management needs and concerns of the public.
Provides support to the Director, who leads ESF-8 Health and Medical Lifeline coordination with more than 25 partner agencies.
Leads the development and implementation of emergency management policy, procedures, and activities.
Leads the development and submission of the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) in accordance with federal requirements.
Monitors and reports on performance metrics to territorial leadership.
Oversees development, maintenance, and exercise of emergency response and recovery plans.
Participates in the development and operations of the homeland security concept of operations in collaboration with VITEMA.
Assists with the coordination of emergency management training and education as it relates to preparedness activities.
Serves as an information gathering and dissemination point for emergency management information.
Performs other related duties as required.