Preparedness Planner

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

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 100% grant funded and is contingent on grant funding.

Requirements

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Conducts planning and reviews plans.
• Participates in interagency planning meetings to update external plans that DSHS is written into.
• Provides technical planning assistance and guidance to state, regional, and local public health stakeholders on the development of public health and medical preparedness plans.
• 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.
• Performs related work as assigned.

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).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees