Human Services Planner I (Community Preparedness Coordinator)

Position Summary

The Human Services Planner I (also known as the Community Preparedness Coordinator) performs professional analytical work with On Target Preparedness in assisting public health agencies in performing preparedness, planning and response actions as related to emergency and disaster events.  Position works mainly with local health departments performing planning and preparedness services.  Occasionally, this position will support preparedness and planning work with other agencies such as School Systems and Emergency Management entities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Must be able to travel on behalf of the business, including weekly onsite workdays at Health Department’s offices (mileage reimbursement provided).

• Maintains public health emergency response plans, manuals, and standard operating procedures by utilizing local, state, and federal regularly guidelines and requirements and ensures plans are integrated with emergency response plans of other agencies.

• Coordinates, plans, and conducts and evaluates public health-related emergency preparedness and response (PHP&R) training, periodic disaster drills and exercises with applicable county departments, other government agencies, community agencies involved in public health emergency preparedness and response, as well as the general public.

• Represents the public health emergency response effort before local, state, and federal regulatory, advisory, and governing bodies and attends meetings of those agencies.

• Actively participates and attends the PHP&R regional meetings and Annual Preparedness Symposium.

• Provides emergency preparedness education in a variety of settings and to diverse audiences.

• Prepares and submits required reports to governmental agencies and other stakeholders.

• Maintains good communication with Health Department's staff, their Health Director, and community partners.

• Ensures compliance with grant requirements and maintains documentation for routine reviews (anticipated to occur every few years).

• Coordinate and meet with agencies (Health Departments) to determine their needs, scope of work, and provide updates on work completion.

• Using Microsoft™ Office products, build and maintain compliance documents showing what tasks have and have not been completed.
• Perform OSHA and CDC compliant respiratory protection program management to include policy maintenance, training, and fit testing of respirators using qualitative and/or quantitative methods.
• Aid in preparedness related Accreditation work as deemed by the Health Department.
• Plan and execute meetings as needed with Health Departments and partners such as Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) and local Epidemiology or Public Health Response Teams.

• Performs and and all other related duties as assigned or directed in order to promote, further, and ensure the effective and efficient operations of Health Departments.

• Other duties as assigned and necessary to accomplish the mission of OTP.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• High school diploma, or equivalent required
• Ability to speak, read, and write English
• Ability to use Microsoft™ Office products
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism and adhere to local, State, and Federal laws
• Preferred North Carolina resident for greater than one year, with familiarity with counties/cities/communities
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and a personal vehicle for work use
• Maintain valid vehicle insurance on vehicle(s) used for work

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Heavy Regular and frequent daily travel generally 1-2 hours away from home locations (based on home location and distance to Health Departments office) through the region and North Carolina will be required.
• Overnight travel is limited.  Average is 3-5 nights per year with the Company paying for hotel, mileage, etc. for travel requirements.
• Routine light to moderate lifting may be required.
• Possibility for some minor physical inconveniences or discomforts in the work setting, including sitting for moderate periods of time and repetitive wrist motion.