Position Summary: The Emergency Preparedness & Response (EPR) Specialist participates in planning and developing a process for strategic leadership, direction, and assessment of activities to ensure agency readiness and preparedness for all hazards incidents. Work involves planning, developing, implementing, and maintaining the District s All-Hazards Plan, Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), EPR Workforce Development and Exercise Plan and other related plans which may include policies, Standard Operating Guidelines, and Standard Operating Procedures. Also serves as the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Coordinator and the EPR Training/Exercise Coordinator. This position works under the supervision of the Community Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and is the lead for agency exercises and drills along with training and education to prepare staff for responding during an emergency. This position works under limited supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The responsibilities of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist fall into four primary categories: Delivery and Evaluation of Education/Training/Exercises: Manage emergency preparedness and other safety related education and/or training programs within the District or in the community. Evaluating public health and medical response capabilities and plans through coordinating and participating in District-wide and multi-agency/regional exercises; Planning and Coordination: Working closely with WCCHD staff and public health and medical stakeholders, coordinates the District s emergency preparedness and response plans based on the Project Public Health Ready, Public Health Preparedness (PHP) Capabilities, and, as applicable, the Healthcare Preparedness Capabilities; Project Management: Identifies, prioritizes, and executes capacity building projects that support and build public health response capabilities; Emergency Responder / Disaster Recovery: Serves in essential role(s) as identified within the Incident Command System (ICS). Participates as public health support to Emergency Operations Centers within Williamson County, other jurisdictional partners, or regionally as assigned. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Job descriptions list the specific tasks to be accomplished by the position the employee is filling at WCCHD. The WCCHD Employee Responsibilities are a set of general expectations for employees about how they should work with each other and the public we serve. Each employee must sign and acknowledge that they have been informed, understand, and agree to abide by these expectations. Violation of these responsibilities may lead to implementation of WCCHD s disciplinary procedures. Page 1 of 6
(30%) Delivery and Evaluation of Education/Training/Exercises Serves as the EPR Training/Exercise Coordinator Develops and maintains the EPR Workforce Development and Exercise Plan in accordance with Project Public Health Ready Ensures EPR Workforce Development and Exercise Plan is congruent with the WCCHD Workforce Development Plan Conducts routine EPR training for WCCHD staff Serves as the lead instructor for EPR 101, EPR 201, and COM 101 Creates and maintains relevant just in time training for district Incident Command System (ICS) staff positions Ensures the exercises process is HSEEP compliant (Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program) and done in accordance with current Department of State Health Services (DSHS) exercise guidance Serves as the exercise lead for core exercises: o Annual flu vaccine push-out exercise; and o Points of Dispensing (POD) exercises Serves as the WCCHD rep for local and regional exercises Oversees and prepares After Action Reports (AAR) and Improvement Plans (IP) within 60 days after the completion of an exercise Maintains the WCCHD EPR Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Submits required exercise documentation to DSHS Delivers presentations on emergency preparedness and planning to community groups and organizations (30%) Planning/Coordination Serves as the SNS (Strategic National Stockpile) Coordinator Follows Project Public Health Ready and the CDC s Public Health Preparedness Capabilities: National Standards for State and Local Plans, updates/develops the Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) for PHP Capabilities 2, 8 and 9 to include the performance measures and evaluation process for each. Develops and maintains the vaccine distribution center plan including the plan for vaccine and medical inventory management for disaster response Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual reports for emergency preparedness activities Participates in the development and monitoring of preparedness budget to ensure grantrelated activities and accountability for funds are in compliance with local, state and federal guidelines Coordinates planning for activation of the Incident Command System (ICS) Develops, maintains, and tests WCCHD staff notification procedures using the First Call Regional Notification System (RNS) or other communications systems Responsible for ensuring grant deliverables for the following sections are met and reported: Multi Year Training and Exercise Plan (MYTEP), Technical Assistance Review (TAR); SNS; CDC-Defined Performance Measures for internal activities. Page 2 of 6
Identifies needs and procures/maintains inventory of supplies and equipment necessary to support WCCHD all-hazards emergency response plans Negotiates Memorandums of Understanding for assigned areas of responsibility with other agencies to help define public health roles and responsibilities during an emergency Communicates and coordinates the planning and conducting of Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) volunteer recruitment and training with the WCCHD Workforce Development Coordinator Actively participate in meetings relevant to areas of responsibility Serves as back-up for the Community Preparedness and Response Coordinator (20%) Project Management Identifies, prioritizes, and manages projects to address corrective actions that support and build public health response capabilities (10%) Emergency Responder / Disaster Recovery Participates in WCCHD s 24/7/365 response plan As authorized by the Health Authority, or the Director of Disease Control and Prevention in his absence, sets up WCCHD Operations Center (WOC) to help manage a public health emergency or other disaster As necessary, serves as the WCCHD Public Health Representative to designated local Emergency Operations Center(s) (EOC), the regional EOC, or the Capital Area Medical Operations Center (CAMOC)/Regional Medical Operations Center (RMOC) during public health and other emergencies Assesses public health resource needs for responding to different public health emergencies; o Identifies existing resources and negotiate agreements to acquire these resources during an emergency Assists in establishing procedures for rapid investigation and response to a potential all hazard event or to a naturally occurring emergencies evidenced by a comprehensive response plan that addresses surge capacity, delivery of mass prophylaxis and immunizations, and preevent development of specific epidemiologic investigation and response needs Assists with development of Incident Action Plans (IAP) and Situation Reports (SITREPS) Assists with maintaining common operating picture and situational awareness During the disaster recovery phase: o Assists in completing required forms and documents associated with response and recovery; o Ensures the replenishment of emergency response supplies; and o Completes and submits after action reports (AARs) and adjusts response plans accordingly. Ensures Incident After Action Reports (AAR) are completed within 120 days of completion of response Page 3 of 6
(10%) Other related and cross-functional duties May participate on an internal Cross Functional Committee or Community Capacity Building Team as assigned Serves as the subject matter expert on the Preparedness Planning and Operations Committee and technical support for district branches in development of the WCCHD All-Hazards Plan, the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and other preparedness related plans/sog s. Serves on the WCCHD Safety Committee With supervisor and district approval, may volunteer to serve and respond to emergencies as a member of the Type 3 Central Texas Incident Management Team (CenTex IMT) Education, Licensure, Certifications, Experience Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course in a field related to public health or emergency management. Relevant work experience may be substituted for education. One to two years experience in epidemiology, program management, emergency management, and developing and exercising public health emergency preparedness and response plans preferred FEMA ICS training- IS-100, IS-200, IS-300, IS-400, IS-700, IS-800 or willingness to obtain as classes become available CPR certified or willingness to obtain Valid Texas driver s license and access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations Certified Instructor preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with our without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed without posing a direct threat to health or safety of themselves or others. Knowledge of public health essential services Knowledge of public health emergency preparedness and response activities Knowledge of epidemiological principles Knowledge of National Incident Management Systems and Incident Command System Knowledge of systems utilized in tracking, monitoring and evaluating during a public health emergency Knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) application and utilization Ability to work in a collaborative approach Ability to model leadership Ability to communicate and manage information Ability to plan and improve practice Ability to design, execute and evaluate education and training programs Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze data to devise solutions to problems Page 4 of 6
Ability to prepare reports and briefings Ability to facilitate meetings and groups Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing Ability to conduct presentations Ability to author technical documents Ability to identify variables and utilizing various resources to gather data Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities Ability to work in a collaborative manner Ability to establish goals and objectives, policies, and procedures that support a strategic plan Ability to prioritize activities and manage multiple responsibilities; time management Ability to maintain current driver s license, auto liability insurance and reliable transportation Skill in using computers and software relevant to performing duties such as MS Access, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Skill in public speaking Skill in the use of WebEOC and emergency notification systems Skill in planning and organizing Skill in developing an Incident Action Plan Environmental Factors: Works mostly in a well-lighted, air-conditioned office. May work in various WCCHD offices around the county and in a variety of community locations. Occasional work activities may be outdoors and, therefore, employee will be exposed to heat and cold. May have extensive contact with the public. May have contact with persons who may be infected with contagious diseases. Certain immunizations and/or TB skin test may be required. Tobacco-free workplace. Direct Supervisor of: None Location and Hours: Georgetown office, 100 W. 3 rd St, Georgetown, Texas, 78626; general hours 8:00 am 5:00 pm, M-F. This position may be subject to travel. Work may require occasional early morning, evening, weekend, and/or holiday hours. Extended hours may be required in the event of a public health emergency. Job Performance Evaluation: The employee will be evaluated at least annually, but more often if performance warrants it. Page 5 of 6
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty. Acknowledgement This has been reviewed with me by my supervisor and I agree that it accurately reflects my current assignments. I acknowledge that these responsibilities may change over time to accomplish the work of the Health District and that I may be required to assume other responsibilities in the time of public health emergencies. Employee Signature Date Direct Supervisor Signature Date Branch Director Signature Date Page 6 of 6