Program Specialist IV

Job Description:
Program Specialist IV
Under the daily direction and supervision of the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) Program Manager, performs highly advanced consultative work in the area of the Medical Countermeasure dispensing and distribution and health/medical preparedness and response planning. Serves as one of the regional SNS Coordinators. Works to ensure that plans are developed across the state in a coordinated and integrated fashion. Provides technical assistance and advanced consultative services for Texas cities, counties, and other regions in development of local and regional ESF 8 plans, including SNS. Assists the regional planner in working with various Department of State Health Services (DSHS) offices to implement all regional plans and ensure coordination and integration with statewide planning efforts. Assists local governmental entities in developing and implementing policies and procedures for plan implementation and for measuring progress towards achieving objectives. Develops and delivers presentations to local and regional officials and other stakeholders to improve understanding and support for local planning, with increased focus on non-local health department counties for which the region serves as the health agency. Maintains communication with local and regional planners to keep them informed, interested, and involved in preparedness. Coordinates with local governmental entities and other community organizations in planning and implementing regularly scheduled exercises relating to all hazard's preparedness. Serves as liaison with federal, state, and local agencies in matters concerning the deployment of the SNS, manages and oversees RSS operations. Works under limited direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employee actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Assists senior PHEPR staff in planning, coordination and integration of statewide public health preparedness and response infrastructure activities and special projects. Reviews, analyzes and makes written recommendations on regional and local public health preparedness and response plans in accordance with the CDC grant guidelines. Reviews and analyzes external and internal proposals and makes written recommendations for implementation. Prepares detailed and comprehensive reports of findings and recommendations using a variety of computer software, including, word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software. Determines trends that help identify the needs and opportunities to develop new programs and special projects. (50%)

Serves as PHR 2/3 SNS Coordinator providing redundant capacity for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) program as required by the CDC public health preparedness cooperative agreement, the Cities Readiness Initiative, etc. Works with local and state SNS Coordinators and planners to ensure that SNS plans are developed across the state in a coordinated and integrated fashion to ensure that every citizen of PHR 2/3 has access to SNS assets should it be deployed. Assists the state SNS Coordinator in the integration of state and regional SNS strategy and plans. Ensures that various SNS preparedness functions (request, receipt, staging, storage) are identified in all plans and the appropriate roles and responsibilities are established as well as a plan developed for providing redundant capacity (distribution, security, communications). Leads a regional strike team that may be deployed in any area of the state to operate a SNS receipt, staging, and storage site. Meets with appropriate stakeholders and other entities involved to discuss roles and support functions. Provides advanced consultative services for PHR 2/3 cities, counties and regional staff in developing, implementing, exercising, and evaluating plans for the receipt and distribution of the SNS. Provides technical assistance on developing the procedures and protocols necessary for implementation of the distribution of the SNS including memorandums of understanding, mutual aid agreements, contingency contracts, and other agreements to ensure access to the human resources, support organizations/agencies, partners, and facilities included in the plans. Develops and delivers presentations to local and regional entities, legislators and other stakeholders to improve understanding and support for local SNS planning. Provides training for regional and local staff on SNS planning methodologies and issues. Maintains communication with local and regional planners to keep them informed, interested, and involved in SNS preparedness. Coordinates with local governmental entities and other community organizations in planning and implementing regularly scheduled exercises relating to SNS preparedness. Analyzes the applications and variations of regional and local SNS plans and develops action plans to improve or initiate programs as needed. Serves as liaison with federal, state, and local agencies in matters concerning the deployment of the SNS. Works with all regional hospitals to ensure knowledge of SNS assets, and provides training on request, receipt, and inventory management procedures. (20%)

Researches the public health preparedness and response plans of other state, regional and local health departments to benchmark, determine best practices, identify lessons learned, and recommend potential applications for plans in PHR 2/3. Identifies opportunities to engage other state, federal, regional and local public health and safety authorities in coordinating response activities. Provides technical assistance and consultative services to regional staff and local health departments so that they can benefit from this benchmarking and incorporate best practices into local plans. (20%)

Serves as one of the PHR 2/3 Chempack Point of Contact in accordance with the Chempack Program Guide. Works with Chempack sites to develop and maintain strategic operational plans to distribute Chempack assets during a chemical event. Coordinates relocation of containers due to renovation, demolition or revised space allocation of the facility. Coordinates Chempack sustainment in collaboration with the CDC DSHS Chempack team to assist functions related to application of the Food and Drug Administration’s Shelf Life Extension Program to prolong the shelf life of the Chempack products stored in sites throughout the region, to include the periodic replacement of expiring product. (5%)

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
KNOWLEDGE OF: Basic public health. Basic concepts of planning, training and exercising principles and methodologies. Local, state and federal laws, regulations and practices related to emergency management. Government practices and processes and the nuances of intergovernmental collaboration. Bio-terrorism preparedness and emergency response procedures. Emergency communication technology. Computer productivity technology (i.e., word processors, spreadsheets, databases, email systems etc.). Computer operating systems, hardware and peripheral systems. Bioterrorism and the Strategic National Stockpile.

SKILL IN: Developing and implementing complex plans and procedures. Problem identification, analysis, and resolution.
Accurate and effective written and oral communication. Organizing, prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines to accomplish a number of simultaneous tasks. Managing and tracking multiple projects at different stages of development. Planning, implementing, and evaluating community health preparedness plans. Using computer software including word processing, database and spreadsheet software. Providing technical assistance and training to a variety of stakeholders.

ABILITY TO: Foster partnerships with individuals and groups on a national, state, regional and local basis. Plan and conduct effective meetings. Interact effectively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds. To analyze and interpret technical information relating to communications. Make public presentations and provide training. Handle crisis situations.

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