Public Health Specialist I

Hidalgo County•Edinburg, TX

17h

About The Position

Performs routine (journey-level) planning, analysis, and outreach work. Serves as a leader for planning teams and special training, exercises, and projects. Plans, prepares, and evaluates all-hazard bioterrorism and emergency preparedness activities, and coordinates and provides technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, and community organizations. Work is performed with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Participates as a member of the Public Health Preparedness Response Team (PHPRT), responding to bioterrorism events, large disease outbreaks, and other public health emergencies anywhere in the state. Must be available on call as assigned or during an event. The role supports access to public health resources for populations with high social vulnerability, implements and evaluates emergency response interventions, and promotes community involvement and transparency. It oversees preparedness training and education, integrated emergency management, and the planning and evaluation of all-hazard bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. The position also coordinates data sharing, prepares reports, and may supervise and train others.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, Public Health, or a related field.
One year of experience in health, data entry, or related work.
Must have a current valid Texas motor vehicle operator's license.
Must be able to be insured by the County's insurance carrier.
Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, the public, and professional groups.
Must be available on call as assigned or during an event.

Responsibilities

Identify barriers and develop plans of action to monitor and improve access to public health resources for populations of high social vulnerability.
Implement and evaluate public health emergency response interventions to determine their effectiveness and make adjustments to program activities and approaches.
Promote program involvement with community organizations and programs to increase outreach, transparency, and community engagement.
Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of training and education initiatives supporting preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.
Direct an integrated emergency management approach and collaborate and communicate with response partners to manage public health emergencies.
Oversee the planning, preparation, and evaluation of all-hazard bioterrorism and emergency preparedness.
Coordinate data sharing with other agencies, states, and national organizations.
Prepare program reports as directed.
Respond to bioterrorism events, large disease outbreaks, and other public health emergencies anywhere in the state as a member of the PHPRT.
May supervise and train others.
Perform related work as assigned.