Public Health Emergency Preparedness Specialist

Oakland County•Pontiac, MI

3d•$76,913 - $103,050•Hybrid

About The Position

Oakland County’s Health Division is hiring a grant-funded, hybrid Public Health Emergency Preparedness Specialist to strengthen the county’s ability to respond to public health emergencies. The specialist develops and maintains response protocols, coordinates preparedness training and exercises, and builds partnerships with public and private agencies. The role supports readiness for infectious disease outbreaks, biological, chemical, and radiological threats, and other emergencies, helping ensure a rapid and coordinated response that protects Oakland County residents. The specialist helps ensure local emergency management plans include public health response components; coordinates planning, communication, and training with health care providers, EMS, hospitals, first responders, law enforcement, mental health agencies, emergency planning committees, and emergency management; and supports medical and pharmaceutical supply distribution and mass prophylaxis planning. The role also maintains emergency contact and response procedures, participates in exercises and training, and uses county and department software to carry out assignments. Work is performed in a typical office environment, with possible activities requiring travel as a driver or passenger in an automobile or bus. The position requires a valid U.S. motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license, which must be maintained. Employees must complete required immunizations and an annual tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray at County expense. The position is grant funded and represented by BU87 - United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 889: Health & Human Services Non-Supv (UAW).

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 project administration experience in emergency management, public health, private health care, or a closely related field involving coordination with diverse agencies.
A valid U.S. 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.
Must successfully complete a six-month probationary period.
Must maintain a valid U.S. motor vehicle operator’s or chauffeur’s license.
Must submit to immunizations required by the Department of Health & Human Services and to a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray once a year, at County expense.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in a listed major or a closely related field may substitute for one year of experience.
Excellent written communication and public speaking skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate successfully.
Considerable experience in infectious disease control.
Considerable experience in 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 respond to difficult 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, interpret 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 and maintain emergency response protocols and procedures to support coordinated public health responses, including establishing a chain of command.
Ensure local emergency management plans include a public health component and collaborate with relevant agencies to maintain and update it.
Participate in local emergency management tabletop and functional exercises and conduct at least one Oakland County Health Division tabletop exercise annually in conjunction with Emergency Response and Preparedness.
Maintain and update 24/7 Health Division emergency contact information and identify primary and secondary response responsibilities for specific emergencies.
Coordinate protocols for mass distribution of medical and pharmaceutical supplies with local emergency management plans and Metropolitan Medical Response Systems where available.
Update mass prophylaxis clinic protocols in coordination with state and regional Strategic National Stockpile activities.
Coordinate public health emergency communications to local health care providers, EMS, hospitals, law enforcement, mental health agencies, emergency planning committees, emergency management, and state health authorities.
Coordinate or provide training for Health Division staff on emergency responsibilities and identify training needs and subject matter experts.
Coordinate or deliver training for health care providers, EMS personnel, hospitals, and first responders on bioterrorism, emergency preparedness, and infectious disease surveillance and control.
Develop processes for annual updates to emergency response procedures and timely distribution of state agency information.
Attend public health emergency response training offered by state and federal agencies and participate in state or federal exercises.
Coordinate local response activities with regional planners and epidemiologists when required.
Use Countywide and department-specific software to complete planning, training, and response assignments.