Incumbent serves as Public Health Preparedness/Response Coordinator for the Morgan County Health Department, responsible for coordinating and responding to public health emergencies, and serving as Public Information Officer for emergency preparedness and response.

DUTIES: 

Coordinates Health Department response to emergencies or disasters in accordance with Emergency Support Function (EFS) #6, #8, and #10.  Coordinates and/or responds as needed to any Public Health emergencies or events 24/7 in accordance to Health Department policies, State, local statutes and/or ordinances.

Assists with coordination of county operated emergency shelters, such as extreme temperature or disaster, managing shelter operations, and assisting with shelter staffing.

Serves as the Health Department Public Information Officer (PIO) and media contact regarding preparedness and response issues/events.  Responds to public inquiries regarding emergency preparedness and disaster preparation.  Serves as the Health department Public Information Officer after hours contact for other public safety agencies and coordinates any required Health Department response, as needed.

Serves as Department Liaison to all State, regional, medical facilities and local emergency preparedness entities and groups, including attending all appropriate meetings and seminars that lend support to ESF-#8 group and local preparedness functions.  Serves on Local Emergency Planning Committee as active member.

Works with EMA Director, and Morgan County Public Safety leaders, and local government leaders in areas relating to Health Department preparedness and response activities.

Writes and updates all Health Department emergency preparedness and response plans, policies, and procedures, including Department Continuation of Operations Plan (COOP), Medical Counter Measures Dispensing, Radiological Community Reception Centers, Mass Casualty Family Reception Centers, and All Hazards Plans, as well as any future requirements.  Collaborates with Emergency Management Specialist and Health Department Administrator on an annual plan maintenance schedule.

Locates and pursues grant funding from federal, state, or other sources to support Health Department emergency preparedness activities.  Conducts grant compliance and ensures grant deliverables are completed in a timely manner, such as internal expenditures and invoice preparation and submission.

Coordinates the acquisition and maintenance of all equipment and supplies necessary for a Health Department response to emergencies and/or disasters.

Participates and/or coordinates Health Department engagement in state, federal, or local table-top, workshops, functional or full-scale exercises, including public health emergency functions.

Presents to civic or professional groups on behalf of Health Department and participates in public forums regarding Health Department emergency preparedness activities.

Coordinates training for Health Department staff, other county employees or officials, volunteers and other Morgan County citizens for Health Department related emergency preparedness responsibilities.

Maintains and supports growth of Morgan County Health Department Volunteer Program including Medical Reserve Corps and Community Emergency Response Team.

Maintains and facilitates Public Health Programming such as Vial of Life, Emergency Preparedness Kits, and other beneficial programming.

Collaborates with Morgan County EM Specialist on projects, plans, exercises, and additional activities to further benefit county during public health emergency or other disaster/incident pertaining to public health.

Assists other Health Department staff as needed.

Occasionally works extended/evening/weekends and occasionally travels out of town for meetings/conferences.

Occasionally responds to emergencies on 24-hour basis and serves on call.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I.   JOB REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma/HSE with five (5) years’ experience in public safety or health preparedness.  Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management, Public Health, or related field preferred.  Experience in grant managing and applying, writing and maintaining plans, conducting meetings, developing and conducting exercises, and managing volunteers preferred.

Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications including OSHA 40 hr. HAZWOPER, CERT Train the Trainer, E0105 Public Information Basics, and FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 certifications within designated timeline.

Ability to meet all County hiring requirements, including passage of a drug test.

Working knowledge of standard office procedures and strong computer skills and software, and ability to operate a variety of  software programs, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare detailed written reports within established deadlines.

Ability to coordinate health department response to emergencies or disasters in accordance with Emergency Support Function (EFS) #6, #8, and #10, and/or respond as needed to any Public Health emergencies or events 24/7 in accordance to Health Department policies, State, local statutes and/or ordinances.

Ability to serve Health Department Public Information Officer (PIO) and media contact regarding preparedness and response issues/events.  Responds to public inquiries regarding emergency.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, County Fire Departments, District 5 Healthcare Coalition, District 5 Local Health Department, Indiana State Department of Health, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements.

Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to understand and follow oral or written instructions.

Ability to file, post, and mail materials, fabricate data to discover facts or develop concepts or interpretations.

Ability to write/edit reports/mews releases/give presentations and prepare grant applications.

Ability to work independently and with others in a team environment, often under pressure of formal schedules and deadlines, and on several tasks at the same time.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including responding swiftly, rationally, and decisively in stressful situations associated with public emergencies.

Ability to apply knowledge of people and locations, utilize good judgment in extreme and uncommon situations, and maintain constructive relationships.  

Ability to maintain positive community support and coordinate and present public speaking presentations and special events.

Ability to occasionally work extended/evening/ weekends and occasionally travel out of town for meetings/conferences, but not overnight.

Ability to serve on 24 hour call for emergencies and respond to emergencies from off duty status.

Possession of a valid Indiana driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II.   DIFFICULTY OF WORK: 

Incumbent performs duties according to state and federal regulations and standard operating procedures.  Duties are complex in nature, involving several variables and considerations.  Incumbent exercises independent judgment in applying ordinances to individual cases. Incumbent's work includes a broad range of duties, often requiring careful analysis and consideration of Department programs, organization, and future development.

III.   RESPONSIBILITY: 

Incumbent serves as Public Health Preparedness/Response Coordinator for the Morgan County Health Department, responsible for coordinating and responding to public health emergencies, and serving as Public Information Officer for emergency preparedness and response. Work is primarily reviewed for attainment of department objectives.  Assignments are guided by broad policies and/or general objectives.  Incumbent establishes procedures and performance standards, and interprets policies, and only refers to supervisor when interpretations of departmental policies, programs, expenditures are thought necessary.  Decisions are restricted by only the broadest policy and/or guidance from supervisor.  Incumbent has a high degree of flexibility in the job.

IV.   PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS: 

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, County Fire Departments, District 5 Healthcare Coalition, District 5 Local Health Department, Indiana State Department of Health, and the public, for purposes of coordinating and responding to public health emergencies and rendering service.

Incumbent reports directly to EMA Director and Health Department Director for IDOH and Federal Grant Reporting.

V.   PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs majority duties in a standard office environment, and outdoors during an emergency event, involving sitting and walking at will, standing/walking for long periods, working in extreme temperatures, walking on uneven terrain, working in wet/icy surroundings, lifting/carrying objects weighing over 50 pounds,  pushing/pulling objects, bending at waist, reaching, crouching/kneeling, handling/grasping/fingering objects, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication, driving, close/far vision, and color/depth perception.  Incumbent works near fumes, odors, dust, dirt, chemicals, and protective clothing or equipment must be utilized.  Incumbent works with or is exposed to stressful situations involving public emergencies. 

Incumbent occasionally works extended/evenings/weekends and may travel out of town for meetings/conferences, but not overnight.  Incumbent responds to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.