Job Description

Under the direction of the Deputy Health Officer, manages the public health emergency response planning functions of the county under the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\'s (CDC) Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Cooperative Agreement and Homeland Security. Serves as the Public Health Liaison with the Ottawa County community as identified in the Incident Command Structure.

This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Public Health building in Holland.

Essential Job Functions

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

• Develops detailed plans in alignment with federal capabilities to prepare the county and public health department to respond to public health threats. Considers community resilience and equity within plans, working collaboratively with community partners to ensure that groups impacted by health inequities are no more impacted than any other group in an emergency.
• Engages with key federal, state, regional, and local agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure coordination of emergency preparedness plans and a coordinated response to a public health crisis or emergency.
• Develops and participates in exercises to assess the county\'s readiness to respond to a variety of public health crises or emergencies. Applies the results of exercises to evaluate the effectiveness of preparedness plans and training.
• Oversees and ensures the emergency response training of public health staff and other area emergency responders and fulfills necessary roles as assigned in an incident command structure before, during, and after a public health threat or emergency response.
• Works closely with the Ottawa County Emergency Management department to advise on and coordinate the county\'s response to any public health threat or to the public health component of other types of threats or emergencies.
• Supervises one or more permanent and temporary employees in the execution of responsibilities for public health emergency preparedness and response.
• Prior to, during, and after all public health responses, provides direct and indirect supervision pertaining to the response for all public health staff.
• Partners with local units of government and public and private entities to develop public health preparedness plans in conformity with standards set by federal and state guidelines.
• Develops workforce development plans for public health employees and manages related quality improvement initiatives for the OCDPH.
• Manages the CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) cooperative agreement, budget, and incident specific grants and maintains national recognition for preparedness standards.
• Performs other functions as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Bachelor\'s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, environmental health, epidemiology, public administration, planning, or related health and human services discipline and at least three years of progressively responsible experience in public health, including multidisciplinary program and services planning, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master\'s degree and five years of experience preferred.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge and skills in public health and community organization theory, workforce development, and quality improvement.
• Knowledge of planning and project management principles and practices.
• Knowledge and familiarity with emergency first responders and response system; state, regional, and county health systems; and social and other agencies which impact upon public health at the local level.
• Knowledge of federal and state emergency management and preparedness statutes, rules, and regulations, including the Public Health Code, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1987 (EPCRA), Public Act 390, Stafford Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA and MIOSHA) and relevant provisions of the Homeland Security Act.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively (electronically, verbally, and in writing).
• Demonstrated decision-making ability and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to initiate, implement, and coordinate policies, procedures, and programs to meet agency goals and objectives.
• Excellent computer literacy including ability to use training software (Articulate), MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, SharePoint and mass communication systems (radios, broadband, rave, etc.).
• Ability to think clearly, be creative, and work independently during situations with high pressure, tight deadlines, and extended durations during emergencies.
• Demonstrated ability to interact positively and effectively with elected officials, emergency managers, public safety officers, firefighters, media, other participating public and private agency personnel, healthcare agencies, mental health, first responders, business and agriculture representatives, and members of the general public from widely diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.
• Must have sufficient mobility, with or without assistive devices, to access sites for emergency response exercises and command centers for actual emergency responses.
• Must be able to tolerate exposure to extreme temperatures; dirt, dust, pollen, and other airborne particulates; and inclement weather conditions.
• Must be able to wear appropriate required protective clothing and equipment.

Working Conditions:
Work is generally performed in a normal office environment, but may entail exposure to hazardous chemicals, biological agents, airborne contaminants, extreme weather conditions, and to additional hazards associated with communicable disease outbreaks/pandemics, explosives and other potentially life-threatening agents or events during actual emergency responses.

In times of a public health emergency, may be required to report for specialized assigned duties inside or outside of Ottawa County. Employees in this classification must be able and available to respond to public health emergencies outside of normal working hours. This position is part of the 24/7 Emergency Contact Roster for Ottawa County.

Disclaimer:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This position is benefited and is subject to the Unclassified group manual.

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Ottawa County