Emergency Preparedness And Response Specialist - Health

OVERVIEW OF MESA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
Mesa County Public Health was formed in 1948 as a political subdivision of the State. We provide a wide range of public and environmental health services to Mesa County residents and, in some programs, the region. MCPH is an Accredited Health Department by the National Public Health Accreditation Board.
Mesa County Public Health is a leader in our community, our region, and throughout Colorado. We are committed to upholding standards that align our actions with our mission, vision, and values. We are an efficient and innovative organization, and we are very proud of the work we do. We have high expectations of our leaders, our peers, and ourselves. We believe in the power of community partnerships to develop sustainable solutions for our residents. Mesa County Public Health employees believe in the principles of Epidemiology, support evidence-based interventions, and advocate for healthy lifestyles at the personal and community levels.

Our Vision: A public health system working through collaborative efforts to anticipate and respond to conditions that impact the health of Mesa County residents and visitors.

Our Mission: Maintain and improve health through assessment of community health status, policy development to support effective programs, and assurance of high quality, effective education, and service.

Our Values:

• Excellence is the result of high intention, sincere effort, and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.
• Community is shared commitment and collaboration to achieve the best outcomes.
• Empowerment is supporting employees and community members to learn, grow, take on challenges, and make impactful decisions.
• Wellness is creating balance to achieve a healthy and fulfilling life.

JOB SUMMARY
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist works to build public health Emergency Preparedness and Response capacity in Mesa County. The position is part of a team that is responsible for effectively monitoring, detecting, preparing for, and responding to all types of conditions and events that could impact the community's health. Requires excellent verbal and written communications skills. Requires the ability to develop excellent working relationships with local, regional, and state public health partners in order to improve local public health response during an emergency. This includes leading planning and training exercises with local response agencies in the ESF-8 health and medical group as well as advising community partners on best practices for preventing poor public health outcomes. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist must be able to travel occasionally.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
(The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required.)

• Act as a liaison to a variety of Emergency Preparedness and Response agencies in Mesa County; develop collaborative partnerships as part of Emergency Preparedness and Response activities; coordinate and attend state, local and regional Emergency Preparedness and Response coalitions/committees as directed or assigned
  
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of Mesa County's work plan by the specific deadline set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) contract
  
• Work cooperatively with CDPHE staff and participate in workgroups, teams, and task forces that increase response capacity in Mesa County
  
• Complete basic and advanced Emergency Preparedness and Response training and certification when available, including position-specific National Incident Management System and Incident Command System training; incorporates this knowledge into Emergency Preparedness and Response activities
  
• Evaluate, maintain, and update the Local Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans
  
• Coordinate with local, regional, state, and federal partners to plan, conduct, and evaluate Emergency Preparedness and Response exercises utilizing recommended federal programming resources; develop after-action reports and improvement plans
  
• Lead presentations, conference calls and discussions as they relate to public health and Emergency Preparedness and Response topics
  
• Lead local public health response activities, including supporting a Department Operations Center or an Emergency Operation Center, as appropriate
  
• Manage and maintain the Western Slope Medical Cache including conducting inventory of supplies, coordinating distribution, and resupplying used equipment

• Demonstrate subject matter expertise in infection prevention principles and advises community partners on best practices for preventing communicable disease
  
• Respond to cases of communicable disease in high-risk settings; assists with and coordinates animal and human disease surveillance and reporting as needed or requested
  
• Create, adapt and/or utilize health and Emergency Preparedness databases and tools to implement and/or document activities
  
• Demonstrate advanced use with computers and all required Preparedness and Response software, applications, document repositories and progress reporting systems
  
• Develop strategies, materials and messages to educate the public about public health Emergency Preparedness and Response
  
• Maintain clear and effective verbal and written communications
  
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience/training
• Emergency response subject matter certifications or Master's degree preferred
• More than 3 years related experience

OR

• Any combination of education, training and experience that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job

Licenses, Certifications and Registrations:

• A valid Colorado driver's license with a responsible driving record
• Field specific preferred

Computer and Technology

• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• This position requires standing, stooping, sitting, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 20 pounds
• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment
• May be exposed to communicable diseases and infections
• Must be available for shift/weekend/holiday work and overtime including flexibility to travel within Colorado to assist in the response of public health emergencies

In compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act the following items can be used as a determining factor in the starting and ongoing wage of an employee working in this position:

- A seniority system that rewards employees based on length of employment.

- A merit system that rewards employees for exceptional job performance.

- Education, training, or experience to the extent that they are reasonably related to the work in question.

This position is eligible for the following Mesa County benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Retirement
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Life insurance
• Long term disability

Employment Type: Full Time