JC-460935 – Public Health Emergency Exercise Specialist

Overview

Job Description and Duties

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by leading various emergency management exercise efforts, including managing the CDPH Multiyear Integrated Preparedness Plan, providing training and technical assistance on exercise program development and exercise evaluation methods, and expertise related to the implementation of activities related to Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and Hospital Preparedness Programs (HPP).

Under the direction of the Exercise Unit Staff Services Manager I (SSM I), the Health Program Specialist I (HPS I) performs complex, high-level planning and execution of public health emergency management exercises analysis of emergency preparedness in support of the department’s Multiyear Integrated Preparedness Plan. The HPSI provides training and technical assistance on all aspects of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program to CPR stakeholders. The HPS I also manage the After-Action Reporting and Improvement Plan process for CPR and CDPH exercises and real events, leading hot washes, providing training on AAR/IP development, managing the collation, finalization, and review process for all AAR/IPs, and working with other Center staff to project manage department-wide improvement plan projects. The HPS I collaborate with Federal, State, and local stakeholders involved in public health emergency management exercises in support of PHEP and HPP exercise deliverables. The incumbent must have knowledge of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)/National Incident Management System (NIMS), the State emergency response structure, and Federal, State, and local emergency preparedness and response plans, resources, and authorities and the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program. In addition to programmatic activity, the HPS I will also participate as needed in emergency activations by serving on an Incident Response Team (IRT) in a role in the CDPH Medical Health Coordination Center, the State Operations Center or other operations center as deemed necessary by the emergency. The incumbent may be required, on short notice, to work irregular and overtime hours during emergency operations in order to support the activation.

Up to 15% travel is required to attend meetings and participate in workgroups on behalf of the Center for Preparedness and Response (CPR) relating to public health emergency and response issues; attend Federal and State training programs, in-services and continuing education courses, workshops, conferences, and local site visits. In order to address urgent operational needs or conduct emergency-related response activities, incumbent may, on occasion, be required to work outside core business hours, travel, and transport up to 25 lbs.