PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREP RESPONSE COORDINATOR

Description

POSITION SUMMARY: The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (PHEP) ensures essential functions of public health emergency response planning and coordination in Riley County and the Wildcat Region. This position requires confidentiality and responsiveness working closely with the Health Department Director, the Budget and Finance Officer, the Emergency Management Assistant Director and the supervisors of the Riley County Health Department. The PHEP Coordinator works collaboratively with the tri-county Wildcat Region partners (Geary and Pottawatomie County Health Departments and Fort Riley) for public health and emergency planning and response. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•  Creates, maintains, and distributes public health emergency preparedness information to community partners and the public.
•  Develops updates and maintains departmental Emergency Operations Plan coordinating with the Emergency Management Assistant Director.
•  Collaborates with the Wildcat Regional Preparedness partners to develop and coordinate the Wildcat Region Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) including county and regional exercises.
•  Serves as a member of the Riley County Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC) and assists the Riley County Emergency Management in planning and response.
•  Responsible for completing preparedness budget and grant applications, in collaboration with the Health Director and Budget and Finance Officer
•  Manages reporting requirements with Health Department Director and Budget/Finance Officer. 
•  Assists in disease investigation and reporting and coordinates related information sharing.
•  Manages emergency response supplies and assets and maintains inventory system.
•  Provides reports, presentations, and training on emergency preparedness or response skills.
•  Serves as the Department Safety Officer ensuring emergency response and safety training, to include basic incident management, workplace emergency preparedness and response.
•  Maintains appropriate ICS training, including ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 and 300 level courses.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Assists Riley County Emergency Operations during emergency response.

• Remains current with Health Alert Network (HAN) reports.

• Participates in meetings as assigned by Administrator and may represent RCHD at external meetings. 

• Secures educational materials for pertinent audiences in appropriate languages.

• Provides public health emergency preparedness information for the RCHD website.

• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, communications, public health, or related field required. Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 120, 200, 700, and 800 certifications must be obtained within 120 days of employment. Other Incident Command System courses may be required. Working knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS) required. Specific ICS training will be gained and maintained. Requires knowledge of standardized rules, procedures or operations requiring considerable training and experience to perform a wide range of public health emergencies.

License(s)/Certification(s): Emergency Medical Technician certification preferred. Nursing licensure, or other pertinent credentials preferred. Basic CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification required within 60 days of hire. Valid driver’s license required.

Experience: At least 1-year job-related experience or education in public health, medical, or emergency management fields required. Experience in emergency planning, writing, volunteer management, and public health communicable disease reporting preferred.

Appropriate combination of experience and education may be considered in lieu of requirements.

Skills: Ability to collaborate and maintain relationships with emergency service personnel, volunteers, public officials, and the general public Must be organized and able to prioritize. Ability to maintain confidentiality and work independently. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to understand complex oral and written instruction, speak effectively, and give clear, concise instruction including written reports. Ability to follow instructions and work within guidelines provided. Ability to appraise emergency situations and make appropriate decisions.

Conforms to HIPAA privacy and security regulations specific to position held. The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator has authority to access protected health information (PHI) for health care operations (non-treatment) as necessary for disease surveillance. Disclosures are only allowed as necessary or when required b