Community Planner - Emergency Preparedness

Job Summary

Protects and promotes the health of Scott County residents by providing leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of preparedness plans for emergency preparedness, infectious disease outbreaks, and public health emergencies. Collaborates with various community organizations and the County Board to develop plans.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plans, implements, and evaluates all grant responsibilities related to various grant deliverables (e.g., Emergency Preparedness, Cities Readiness Initiative, and others.)
• Plans and implements public health emergency response activities.
• Leads internal Emergency Preparedness team including providing guidance and direction in daily work tasks.
• Develops public health emergency preparedness training needs. Recommends the types of training, personnel to be trained, and timing of the training needed based on national core competencies in public health preparedness. Trains new staff on emergency preparedness principles. Develops content and/or conducts the training activities as needed.
•  Oversees the design and implementation of evaluation plans to monitor and assess the effects of the EP grant and related activities. Gathers and analyzes data, identifies trends; assesses, monitors, and evaluates the status of the EP work; compiles and prepares statistics and narratives or annual reports. Prepares portions of Planning and Performance Measurement Reporting System (PPMRS) reports for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
• Provides leadership in the development of the department's emergency response plans. Trains and exercises on use of the communication equipment.
• Provides leadership in community outreach to build the resilience of the residents of Scott County to respond to public health emergencies and in the collaboration process to promote and coordinate services with community partners that promote safe and healthy communities.
• Assures education and awareness activities within the geographic area of Scott County regarding emergency preparedness; conveys findings to the community and advocates for community action. Builds relationships with educational institutions to develop culturally and age- appropriate health education messages.
• Facilitates and/or participates in special projects related to development of public health programs. Works across the division in areas according to need.
• Represents Scott County at various meetings/conferences (e.g., Public Health Emergency Coordinators).
•  Prepares, manages, and submits approved public health emergency preparedness grant reports.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of human behavior, cultural diversities, and language barriers to ensure equitable service delivery.
• Works the hours and/or shifts assigned and begins and ends work on time.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned. Includes but is not limited to emergency preparedness and response, including fulfilling roles in an incident command structure as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Health Policy, or related field and two years of Public Health experience.  Experience with population-based planning and health interventions; Homeland Security (HSEM): ICS 700, ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 300, ICS 400, and ICS 800; and Homeland Security Exercise, Evaluation Program Training (HSEEP) highly desired. One must possess a valid driver's license and a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

With latitude for independent judgment, the employee works under the auspices of the Emergency Preparedness Grant program guidelines and under general supervision of the Public Health Director. Work is performed according to established procedures and verbal or written instructions. Work is reviewed by the supervisor for accuracy and adherence to established procedures.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.
• Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.
• Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.
• Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.
• Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.
• Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.
• Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.
• Knowledge –Knowledge of personal computers, data management systems, and programs.
•  Abilities – Ability to use and operate portable electronic equipment and emergency call systems.
•  Ability to organize and prioritize work in an efficient manner, manage time effectively, and maintain accurate and systematic records.
•  Ability to collect, evaluate, assess, and analyze data, identify relevant trends, and make recommendations based on findings.
•  Ability to coordinate and implement community and systems interventions, especially related to obesity and tobacco initiatives.
•  Ability to influence policy, systems, and environmental change working with community partners including work sites, communities, schools, and healthcare organizations.
•  Ability to research, write, produce, and distribute newsletters and other communication materials including fact sheets, reports, articles, and pamphlets.
•  Ability to convene and facilitate groups.
•  Ability to train and educate others.
•  Ability to developing relationships that enhance the community capacity for response.
•  Ability to work independently accomplishing objectives with limited supervision, within established budgets, amid occasional politically/emotionally charged environments.
•  Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.
•  Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.
• Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, occurring both in an office and in the field in community-based settings. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing the needs/demands of multiple stakeholders. Incumbent may need to respond to Public Health emergencies, including unknown or emerging infectious diseases and health threats. Evening and weekend hours may be required for accomplishing this work.
Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job. In the event of an emergency, physical requirements will increase and be more demanding in all areas listed.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.