Public Health Emergency Preparedness Specialist

Oakland County•Pontiac, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Oakland County’s Health Division is hiring a grant-funded Public Health Emergency Preparedness Specialist in a hybrid position. The specialist develops and maintains plans, protocols, training, and communication processes to prepare Health Division staff and community partners for infectious disease outbreaks, biological, chemical, and radiological threats, and other public health emergencies. The role supports rapid, effective, coordinated responses that protect the health and safety of Oakland County residents. The specialist works with public and private agencies, including health care providers, EMS, hospitals, mental health agencies, law enforcement, emergency planning committees, and emergency management. The position also coordinates training and exercises, supports emergency communications and medical supply distribution planning, and uses County and department software for planning, training, and response activities. Work is performed in a typical office environment and may include driving or riding as a passenger in an automobile or bus. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a listed or closely related field, at least three years of full-time project administration experience in emergency management, public health, private health care, or a related field involving coordination with diverse agencies, and a valid U.S. motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license. A master’s degree in a listed or closely related field may substitute for one year of experience. The employee must complete a six-month probationary period and submit to required immunizations and an annual tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray at County expense. Salary range: $76,913–$103,050.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, majoring in Environmental Health, Nursing, Epidemiology, Health Education, Public Health, Public Administration, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or a closely related field.
At least three years of full-time work experience in project administration in emergency management, public health, private health care, or a closely related field involving coordination of activities with diverse agencies.
Valid United States motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license; applicants with an out-of-country license must obtain an appropriate valid Michigan license before the hire date.
Successfully complete a six-month probationary period.
Maintain a valid United States motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license.
Submit to immunizations as required by the Department of Health & Human Services and to a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray once a year, at County expense.
Ability to communicate accurately and operate a motor vehicle and/or be a passenger.
For degrees from institutions outside the United States, provide degree-equivalency documentation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for application processing.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in one of the listed majors or a closely related field may substitute for one year of required experience.
Excellent written communication and public speaking skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate successfully.
Considerable experience in infectious disease control.
Considerable experience with health education, risk communication, or emergency preparedness.
Ability to use standard software, including MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and broadcast fax systems.
Knowledge of training, public relations, fiscal, and personnel principles as applied to emergency preparedness services.
Ability to cope with difficult and/or emergency situations requiring immediate decisions in accordance with departmental policies and objectives.
Mature judgment and initiative in analyzing problems and recommending solutions.
Ability to compile statistics, decipher pertinent information, and present oral and written financial, operational, and other departmental reports.
Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, and Internet software.

Responsibilities

Develop emergency response protocols and procedures to support coordinated responses to public health emergencies.
Prepare Health Division staff to respond to biological, chemical, and radiological threats, infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health emergencies.
Serve as a key Health Division contact during public health emergencies.
Collaborate with public and private agencies to align public health response efforts with local emergency management activities.
Ensure local emergency management plans include a public health component and collaborate with partner agencies to maintain and update it.
Participate in local emergency management tabletop and functional exercises, and conduct at least one Health Division tabletop exercise annually with Emergency Response and Preparedness.
Develop and maintain processes for updating 24/7 emergency contact information, response procedures, and emergency contact information for the state health alert network.
Identify primary and secondary staff responsibilities for responding to specific public health emergencies.
Coordinate protocols for mass distribution of medical and pharmaceutical supplies with local emergency plans and Metropolitan Medical Response Systems where available.
Assist in maintaining emergency protocols, establishing a chain of command, and updating mass prophylaxis clinic protocols in coordination with state and regional Strategic National Stockpile activities.
Coordinate communications of public health emergency information to local health care providers, EMS, hospitals, law enforcement, mental health agencies, emergency planning committees, emergency management, Health Division staff, and the state health department, as appropriate.
Coordinate and/or provide training for Health Division staff on emergency responsibilities.
Coordinate and deliver training for health care providers, EMS personnel, hospitals, and first responders on bioterrorism, emergency preparedness, and infectious disease surveillance and control.
Identify and assess training needs in public and private health care and identify Health Division subject matter experts to support training.
Attend bioterrorism and other public health emergency response training offered by state and federal agencies and participate in state and/or federal exercises.
Coordinate local response and activities with regional planners and epidemiologists when required.
Use Countywide and/or department-specific software to complete assignments.