Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

Position Summary

The Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (EPC) promotes community resilience by leading cross-jurisdictional planning and coordination efforts to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health threats and emergencies. This position is responsible for planning, implementing, managing, monitoring, and reporting on the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP), Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI), and other emergency response-related programs and contracts. In addition, the EPC supports the Department's communicable disease surveillance and response activities through case investigation, surveillance, outbreak response, and disease control activities as assigned.

Essential Duties

Under general supervision, the EPC performs the following essential duties in support of the core functions and essential services of public health:

Emergency Preparedness Planning and Program Management

• Perform all activities outlined in the PHEP, CRI, and other emergency preparedness and response-related programs and contracts, ensuring Public Health Preparedness Capabilities, Healthcare Preparedness Capabilities, and Point of Dispensing (POD) standards are addressed.
• Develop plans for response to identified public health threats and emergencies.
• Review, update, and maintain the Department’s emergency response plan and medical countermeasure plan, ensuring coordination and integration with local, regional, and state response plans.
• Assist in the annual update of the Sarpy and Cass County Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP).
• Develop and maintain a five-year training and exercise plan in accordance with Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) guidance.
• Evaluate outcomes and effectiveness of plans and programs and recommend or implement changes as necessary.
• Provide input on program budgets.

Coordination and Partnerships

• Establish and maintain relationships with medical, public health, and emergency response partners within Sarpy and Cass Counties, adjoining jurisdictions, and the State of Nebraska.
• Engage and include partner agencies representing vulnerable and at-risk populations in preparedness and planning efforts.
• Participate in Nebraska’s Regional CRI and Health Care Coalition planning and coordination meetings.
• Participate in emergency response planning, training, and exercises with local, regional, and state response partners.

Training, Education, and Exercises

• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to assist in the Department’s public health emergency response activities.
• Train staff and conduct drills/exercises to increase departmental readiness.
• Ensure all Department staff complete required Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses and maintain training records.
• Plan and conduct public health emergency-response related workshops, presentations, and training programs for community partners.
• Prepare and disseminate emergency preparedness education materials and information that are accurate, culturally appropriate, and accessible, including brochures, press releases, and social media postings.

Data Management, Documentation, and Reporting

• Gather, organize, interpret, and maintain data for program monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and improvement.
• Write and submit reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Complete and maintain the Department’s inventory of equipment and supplies purchased through grant funding.

Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response

• Support the Department's communicable disease surveillance and response activities by conducting case investigations, interviewing cases and contacts, providing disease prevention education and isolation/exclusion guidance, and coordinating referrals and follow-up, as assigned.
• Maintain accurate and confidential disease surveillance records, complete required reporting, and assist with data collection, analysis, monitoring, and quality improvement activities in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements.
• Conduct routine surveillance activities to identify disease trends and potential outbreaks and assist in implementing disease control measures, including contact tracing, exclusion recommendations, and community mitigation strategies during outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, schools, laboratories, community partners, and public health agencies to support communicable disease reporting, surveillance, and response efforts.

Operational Readiness

• Maintain availability for on-call status 24/7 to activate the Department’s emergency response plan as needed.

Additional Duties

In addition to position-specific responsibilities, the employee is expected to contribute to overall Department operations and organizational effectiveness:

Organizational Engagement and Professional Conduct

• Promote and incorporate the Department’s mission, vision, core values, and strategic initiatives into daily work and service delivery.
• Adhere to all HIPAA requirements and Department confidentiality and privacy policies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, stakeholders, governmental officials, and the public; address and resolve conflict in a professional manner.
• Represent the Department on committees, coalitions, community alliances, and other groups as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Professional Development

• Maintain responsibility for professional growth by pursuing continuing education, attending trainings, courses, seminars, and conferences, and participating in professional committees or work groups, as approved.
• Contribute to a work environment that promotes continuous improvement in service quality and professional practice.
• Assist in training and orientation of new employees.

Planning, Evaluation and Quality Improvement

• Participate in needs assessments, strategic planning, accreditation activities, program evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Use data-driven decision-making to inform program priorities, goals, and objectives.

Program and Resource Support

• Develop a working knowledge of Department services and programs and provide appropriate information to the public.
• Search for funding opportunities and assist with grant proposals, work plans, and development of program goals and objectives.

Communication, Documentation and Administrative Support

• Perform computer input and retrieval using a variety of hardware and software systems.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records, reports, correspondence, and other Department documents, including mileage and time records.
• Prepare or submit materials for posting to the Department website and social media platforms, as assigned.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Participate in public health emergency preparedness training and respond as directed during public health emergencies.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, emergency management, biology or social sciences, health sciences, nursing, or a related field.
• One year of public health and/or emergency response-related work experience.
• Exceptional writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

About Sarpy/Cass Health Department

Our MissionTo improve the lives of all Sarpy and Cass County residents through prevention, promotion, and protection of the public's healthOur VisionThe highest quality of life for all Sarpy and Cass County residentsOur Organizational Values Collaboration Empowerment Excellence Integrity RespectOur StoryIn 2001, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 692, which established the system of local public health departments across the state. The Sarpy/Cass Health Department was founded that same year when the Sarpy and Cass County Commissioners created an interlocal agreement for the establishment of a shared local public health department. Public health services have been provided by the Department since that time. The Department is guided by the 10 Essential Public Health Services and works to prevent and control diseases, injuries, and illnesses; promote equal access to preventative health care and encourage healthy lifestyles; and protect the public from infectious, occupational, environmental, and biologic threats.

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