Emergency Preparedness Planner

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

Under the daily direction of the Preparedness Program Manager in collaboration with the Preparedness Supervisor, preforms highly visible, advanced, consultative, and technical work requiring specialized knowledge of public health and medical preparedness, response, and recovery activities related to Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF-8). Primary work involves strategic planning, operational planning, meeting facilitation, writing, updating and evaluating internal DSHS Region 8 health and medical preparedness plans. Work also involves participating in the development and review of other internal programs and external preparedness and response plans containing public health and medical roles, including but not limited to requests from DSHS Central Office, Texas Division of Emergency Management, and local public health and emergency management partners. Works closely with other internal DSHS programs and external agencies to ensure clear delineation of roles and responsibilities in all regional and local emergency management plans that include public health and medical roles. Participates in the development of internal Standard Operating Guides (SOG) to ensure that they 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. In collaboration with the Training and Exercise Coordinator, test, evaluate and update regional ESF-8 plans, based on exercise findings. Works under limited supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Serve as a member of the Region 8 Incident Management Team in the Regional Health and Medical Operations Center (RHMOC), Regional Medical Operations Center (RMOC), Disaster District Emergency Operations Center (DDEOC), or local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergency response and recovery operations. This participation may require a change in shift, location and/or supervisor and the ability to work a 12–14-hour shift. Disaster response activations can require working in person, 7 days a week, for as long as 2-4 weeks. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. Face-to-face and person-to-person interactions are required.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles and practices of emergency management, hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, disaster preparedness or emergency response as it relates to Public Health Emergency Preparedness.
Knowledge of the basic concepts of planning, training and exercising principles and methods.
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 accurate and effective written and oral communication.
Skill in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and TEAMS) and project management tools.
Ability to work independently and as team member.
Ability to anticipate, identify issues, and solve problems.
Ability to establish goals and objectives.
Ability to handle multiple tasks routinely and effectively.
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 lead large groups in conversation and collaborative planning with poise, tact, and diplomacy.
Able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences.
Ability to research and analyze data and formulate findings.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.
Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance, and dissemination of information.
Ability to work extended or non-traditional hours such as evenings, weekends, special events, etc.
Ability to travel (30%).
Texas Class C driver’s license or equivalent from another state with the intent to obtain a Texas driver’s license.
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.
Experience in the development and implementation of strategic, operational, and/or tactical plans, procedures, and/or protocols

Nice To Haves

Texas Class A Exempt driver’s license or Commercial driver’s license is preferred.
HSEEP Certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

PLANNING: Conducts planning and reviews plans. Convenes, coordinates and facilitates internal and external stakeholder workgroups to review, develop, clarify, update, and implement operational plans, Annexes and Technical Guides. Coordinates with other DSHS Region 8 programs to ensure that procedures exist to fulfill the programs’ roles and responsibilities during preparedness and response operations. Develops and reviews DSHS Region 8 Tactical Documents, such as SOGs and Task Sheets. Ensures the alignment of public health and medical components in emergency response plans per the National Response Framework. Participates in interagency planning meetings to update external plans that DSHS Region 8 is written into. Works with local Emergency Management, local Public Health agencies and the Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR) 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. Facilitates meetings, presents at conferences and workgroups, and acts as the subject matter expert and planner for the preparedness and response program for things related to ESF-8.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Works with local and regional partners to update operational plans, risk assessments, and stakeholder reports annually. Work includes providing technical planning assistance and guidance to other Public Health Region 8 programs, and local public health stakeholders on the development of public health and medical preparedness plans. Works proactively to cultivate a team approach with local emergency management and public health and medical preparedness planners across the region. Participates in and/or facilitates 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. 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 Preparedness and Response program leadership potential applications for plans in Public Health Region 8.
ESF-8 RESPONSE: Participates in the monthly 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, bioterrorism, disease outbreaks, and other disasters. Assumes an active role in the regional incident command structure as Planning Section Chief during public health responses and/or exercises. Serves as a DSHS Region 8 liaison to the Disaster District Emergency Operations Centers (DDEOC) during disaster response activations. May deploy to an affected jurisdiction in the region to assist with emergency response and recovery efforts.
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.

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).

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