Job Description

Posting number: 5192-52406 AUG 26

Department: Health Department

Job classification: Public Health Program Planner & Coordinator

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Health, Human Services, Health Education

Performs skilled technical and analytical work supporting public health emergency preparedness, epidemiologic response, data analysis, program evaluation, volunteer activities, and special projects for the Health Department, and related work as apparent or assigned. Serves as an internal resource for public health data analysis and interpretation and plays a key role on the agency’s Epidemiology Team. Work is performed under the general direction of the Community Relations Manager.

Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Examples of duties

• Coordinates agency-wide preparedness trainings.
• Conducts planning or evaluation activities as they relate to public health emergency plans, emergency communications, or drills and in accordance with Federal, State and Local guidelines; collects and analyzes preparedness and training data; and develops, implements, and monitors corrective action plans to strengthen and sustain public health preparedness capabilities in Onslow County.
• Assists in the development of operational plans for public health emergencies, ensuring that Health Department and partner agency staff are trained in their responsibilities and that the resources are available to support the plans and exercises
• Participates in and supports preparedness-related coordination with first responders, military installations, healthcare organizations, schools, governmental agencies, and other community and public health partners to strengthen Health Department emergency plans, exercises and response capabilities.
• Oversees the recruitment, retention, training, and activities of the Medical Reserve Corps for Onslow County as well as other Health Department volunteers.
• Serves as the primary agency fit tester as required in the agency’s Respiratory Protection Program
• Serves as a key member of the Health Department’s Epidemiology Team, providing data analysis, interpretation, and technical support to strengthen agency surveillance, situational awareness, and response to communicable disease, outbreaks, and emerging public health concerns.
• Supports epidemiologic investigations and other public health response activities through data collection, management, analysis, trend identification, and development of reports or summaries to inform response activities and leadership decision-making.
• Analyzes community and agency public health data using statistical and data visualization tools; prepares and interprets statistical reports; identifies significant trends and patterns; and translates findings into actionable information to support program planning, evaluation, resource allocation, performance improvement, and organization decision-making.
• Develops and maintains agency capacity for applied public health data analysis by assisting with data quality, analytical methods, visualization, and interpretation across Health Department programs.
• Coordinates grant research, grant applications, agency grant meetings, and management of grant paperwork
• Coordinates agency’s intern program, including obtaining appropriate onboarding forms and screenings, ensuring current educational affiliation agreements are in place, managing intern paperwork and scheduling, working with HR and division lead to ensure appropriate placement, and handling Health Department intern onboarding/orientation.
• Assists the Community Relations Team with website updates, outreach activities, and health education as needed.
• Performs assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team (DRT) member, if appointed or volunteers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Public Health Core Competencies and Skills

Data Analytics and Assessment Skills

• Identifies public health programs and organizations with authority to address specific community health needs (e.g. emergency preparedness, infectious disease outbreaks)
• Identifies laws that impact public health programs and organizations

Policy Development and Program Planning Skills

• Evaluates policies, programs, services, and organizational performance (e.g. drills, exercises, etc.)
• Uses evaluation results to improve policies, programs, services, and organizational performance

Communication Skills

• Communicates the roles and responsibilities of governmental public health, healthcare, and other partners in improving the health of a community
• Communicates information to influence behavior and improve health (e.g. encouraging vaccinations, preparing for emergencies)

Health Equity Skills

• Describes the diversity of individuals and populations in a community (e.g. language, culture, values, socioeconomic status, etc.)
• Addresses the diversity of individuals and populations when developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services

Community Partnership Skills

• Establishes relationships to improve community health and resilience (e.g. healthcare institutions, emergency response organizations, etc.)
• Collaborates with community members and organizations to identify community health and resilience needs

Public Health Sciences Skills

• Applies evidence in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services

Management and Finance Skills

• Recognizes one’s own professional development needs (e.g., determining knowledge and skills needed for success in one’s job, identifying gaps in desired knowledge and skills)

Qualifications

Knowledge of the principles and practices of emergency plan and exercise development. Knowledge of ICS and NIMS. Knowledge of the NC Local Health Department Accreditation Program requirements. Ability to communicate effectively with first responder community, military-affiliated personnel, and public health partners. Ability to train adult learners. Skill to analyze data. Skill to write plans and reports and prepare crisis and risk communication messages. Ability to build volunteer organization. Ability to function as part of a team or individually. Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies, procedures, and plans. Ability to remain focused. Ability to advise senior management in times of stress and crisis. Ability to operate a personal computer and standard office productivity software. Ability to apply evidence in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services. Ability to use evaluation results to improve policies, programs, services, and organizational performance.

Supplemental information

Bachelor's degree with coursework in public health, emergency management, public administration, or related field and minimal experience in public health preparedness or emergency management, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master of Public Health is preferred.

Valid driver license required.

Salary will be determined by candidate's qualifications, budget, market, and internal equity.