Public Health Emergency Response Specialist

DuPage County Health Department; Wheaton (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

Three weeks of vacation annually

Paid sick time

Tuition and certification reimburseme

12 weeks of paid parental leave

Pension-eligible through IMRF

Federal Student Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

DuPage County Health Department is seeking a Public Health Emergency Response Specialist to join the Public Health Emergency Response Program. The role supports planning, exercises, and community preparedness, coordinating with partners to meet grant objectives.

The position is full-time and grant funded, typically 8:00 am–4:30 pm, with potential after-hours during emergencies. A Bachelor's in a related field and 1 year of emergency preparedness experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related field.
• At least 1 year of emergency preparedness experience.
• Completion of FEMA/emergency management coursework within 1 year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Support development and completion of public health emergency response projects and objectives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal organizations and public safety agencies.
• Ensure plan compliance with guidelines and regulations.
• Assist in planning activities such as training sessions, drills and tabletop exercises.
• Maintain records of staff and volunteer emergency response training and assist in coordination as needed.

Skills

Emergency response

Stakeholder coordination

Planning & drills

Grant management

Documentation & records

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our Public Health Emergency Response team is looking for a new team member to join us! In this role, you will be supporting a variety of projects related to the Public Health Emergency Response Program at the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) including planning, exercising, and community preparedness to enhance public health emergency preparedness and response efforts for DCHD. Work involves the ability to assist in coordinating activities concurrent with community partners in order to meet grant objectives within established timeframes.

This is a full-time, grant funded position scheduled to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm generally with the availability to work nights or weekends during an emergency and planned events. The hiring range for this position is $37,875 - $50,500, depending on experience.

This position comes with an outstanding benefits package designed to support your personal and professional well-being.

• 12 paid holidays
• three weeks of vacation annually
• paid sick time
• tuition and certification reimbursement
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• pension-eligible through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF)
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program

As the Public Health Emergency Response Specialist, you will:

• Provide support to Manager and Coordinator positions for the development and completion of public health emergency response projects and objectives
• Develop and maintain effective relationships between the health department and all local, state, and federal organizations and public safety agencies
• Ensure plan compliance with guidelines and regulations
• Support and participate in planning activities such as training sessions, drills and tabletop exercises
• Support hazard analysis and mitigation planning
• Review and make recommendations to DCHD’s Emergency Response Plans
• Support specialized planning programs (i.e. continuity of operations, continuity of government planning, medical countermeasure distribution planning, pandemic planning, citizen evacuation and shelter planning, health department facility evacuation and shelter planning)
• Maintain records of staff and volunteer emergency response training
• Assist in volunteer coordination and organization activities as needed for public health emergencies
• Available to respond to clients and/or customers either in person or over the phone during normal business hours
• Serve in assigned role within DCHD Incident Command when called upon (may require evening or weekend hours)
• Assist in maintenance of the DCHD emergency response inventory of all supplies such as medical countermeasures, radios, etc.
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged information and adheres to patient privacy laws
• Complete required training programs and keeps up-to-date on DCHD operational policies and procedures
• Show sensitivity and understanding of other ethnic groups and cultures
• May represent the agency to various groups, community and professional organizations
• May assist or lead resource teams with objectives around providing appropriate risk communications, conducting epidemiological, environmental health, or other public health responses as needed

Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Social Services, Education or related field; and one year of progressively responsible related work experience in emergency preparedness and planning; or, an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

This position requires a valid Illinois Driver’s License. This position requires completion of specialized FEMA and/or emergency management coursework within one year of hire.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

The preferred candidate would demonstrate knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local government structures, applicable laws and regulations related to safety and emergency management programs; knowledge of community groups and resources; knowledge of project management procedures, tools, and practices; knowledge of grant requirements and deliverables; considerable skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships and cooperation with external organizations in order to carry out program objectives; considerable skill in verbal and written communications; considerable skill in analyzing needs, researching recommendations, and evaluating effectiveness; working skill directing capability-based planning, response, and recovery operations; working skill in managing the work of project teams; working skill in preparing and developing specialized written documentation, procedures and policies; working skill in supervising staff; working skill in operating a personal computer, applicable software and peripheral equipment.

DuPage County Health Department is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.