The Yakima Health District
seeks a
Local Emergency Response Coordinator
Salary: Annual Salary $47,964 – $62,582 (10 Salary Steps) + Benefits
This is an exempt non-represented, full-time position that reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer. Work schedule is Monday-Friday, with occasional evening or weekends as needed.
The Yakima Heath District offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and life insurance (Public Employee Benefits Board); participation in Washington State retirement system (DRS); and a generous annual, holiday, and sick leave package.
Purpose of the Position:
This position develops and maintains the public health emergency preparedness and response plan(s) and programs for the provision of public health services and incident command responsibilities. This work is conducted in coordination with other local, state, regional and federal agencies, as well as community partners and task forces. This work includes developing and executing drills, functional exercises, tabletop exercises, and full-scale exercises to test agency emergency response plans and agency capabilities for emergency response. This position also holds responsibility for risk analysis and leadership and liaison role for public health preparedness projects and tasks including in-depth program evaluation studies, research and regular reports and recommendations to address identified risks and deficiencies.
Essential Job Functions:
- Participates in the planning, development, interpretation and implementation of public health emergency preparedness and response plans.
- Coordinates activities within the Health District to ensure local readiness and local interagency coordination in order for the district to respond to outbreaks of disease and other public health threats and emergencies.
- Coordinates emergency response plan development, implementation, testing, review, and revision with management and interdisciplinary programs that monitor, anticipate and respond to public health problems during or after emergencies.
- Conducts, attends and actively participates in regular local, regional and select state emergency management or public health meetings to assure coordination of activities during emergencies.
- Works with the regional public health preparedness program, Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management and Yakima County emergency response partners to design and execute drills and exercises in order to effectively test emergency response plans and overall agency readiness to respond.
- Implements changes to emergency response plans or emergency response procedures as approved or assigned
- Develops after action reports summarizing strengths and areas for improvement following drills, exercises, and actual events.
- Identifies and implements improvements based on after action report findings.
- Develops, delivers or makes available public health emergency preparedness and response training and technical assistance to the Health District, or other county agencies, local and regional partners, community leaders, task force, and volunteers. Conducts internal and community planning as well as programs for public awareness.
- Prepares appropriate progress reports, grant applications, and assists in grant management and compliance activities. Reviews relevant contracts.
- Attends and participates in staff and other required meetings and provides ideas to improve district functions and services
- Acquires and maintains current knowledge and competencies in public health, with a focus on public health emergency response activities.
- Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.
The itemized list of job tasks and essential functions as identified above may not be all inclusive. Job duties may change during peak work periods such as major outbreaks of diseases, major illness, or staff shortages.
Ability to:
- Understand and interpret scientific and medical terms and guiding principles, public health programs, laws, and regulations.
- Must be confident in using computer Microsoft software, fax and copy machines, mobile and office phones, and be able to use hands and wrist repetitively.
- Must be able to read a map and/or use GIS systems to navigate roads, highways, and regions of Yakima County.
- Prepare and produce clear and concise reports, records, and investigative case notes. Maintain all records and files in accordance with medical and public records.
- Establish and maintain effective, courteous and respectful relationships with internal and external colleagues, partners, clients, and the public, and on occasion manage a situation involving difficult or disruptive customers.
- Ability to work with and provide service to a very diverse community.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree in public health, emergency management, or in a field related to the duties of the position, and experience working with federal, state, and local laws dealing with public health laws, including modern methods, principles, and practices related to public health or related experience.
- Knowledge or experience in emergency response management including experience developing preparedness plans; designing and conducting drills and exercises, implementing incident command systems (ICS) or possess a combination of education, training and experience that would ensure the knowledge to perform the duties of the job.
- Have completed National Incident Management System Trainings or at a minimum complete IS100; IS200; IS700; and IS800 within 90 days of employment.
- Possess the ability to understand and convey to others very complex and scientific and medical terms, regulations, guidelines, and processes;
- All required licenses and certifications must be maintained in active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment;
- Ability to speak, read and write English.
Necessary Special Requirements:
- Work in a wide range of environments including remote and rural areas, in confined spaces, and maneuver rough terrains.
- Must be able to obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license within 30 days of employment and possess auto insurance, or to be able to demonstrate the ability to travel throughout the county, on a daily basis, in all weather conditions using personal vehicle.
- Must be able to present complex regulations and guidelines in writing and verbally in a clear and concise manner to a diverse population, some with limited English skills.
- Must be able to work outdoors during extended periods of extreme weather including snow, and extreme cold and hot weather.
- The successful candidate will be required to complete a thorough background investigation including review of the individual’s criminal history, to pass a pre-employment physical exam, and to perform the essential functions of the job with or without an accommodation.
Preferred Knowledge and Abilities
- Use the principles, practices, techniques, and the “best practices” of public health.
- Work with confidential information, adhere to HIPAA regulations when applicable, and ensure compliance with public records processes.
- Ability to collaborate with team members in a stressful environment, respond to and manage complex and time-sensitive issues, work in a patient centric environment, and maintain a professional relationship with a wide range of community partners, colleagues, public health professionals.
- Ability to speak, read and understand Spanish is helpful.
Working Conditions/Physical Conditions:
- The time spent in the field and in the office, varies based on the demand for service.
- Must be able to walk on uneven and difficult surfaces, traverse a variety of surfaces including steep terrain, climb stairs and ladders, and maneuver through heavy vegetation and wooded areas.
- The nature of this work, on occasion, may require the employee to be exposed to toxic or hazardous gasses, chemicals, bio-substances, and in these instances, wear protective clothing and decontaminate accordingly.
- Must be able to lift, push, or pull field equipment weighing between 20-40 pounds.
- Must prove or obtain immunity to measles, mumps, rubella and varicella diseases within thirty days of employment.
- Must be current with pertussis immunization within thirty (30) days of employment, be able to prove or obtain immunity to Hepatitis B disease within the first nine (9) months of employment.
- Must provide documentation of the results of a tuberculosis test (i.e. tuberculin skin test or interferon gamma release assay) administered within the previous (90) ninety days or be tested prior to employment.
HOW TO APPLY:
This position closes August 12, 2018.
Submit resume and cover letter to the Yakima Health District at
HealthDistrictHR@co.yakima.wa.us.
To learn more about the Yakima Health District visit,
The resume and cover letter should include information about relevant work experience, skills and abilities applicable to the job as advertised and applicant’s interest in emergency management.
Applicant’s needing an accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment are to contact Ryan Ibach, Chief Operating Officer at ryan.ibach@co.yakima.wa.us to request an accommodation.
The Yakima Health District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer that embraces diversity.
The Yakima Health District is a drug and tobacco free workplace.
Source: County Jobs