Emergency Preparedness and Response Director

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This position is in Augusta, GA and does not offer relocation assistance.  Must be within a reasonable commuting distance.  If relocating to the area, please specify on the application.

 East Central Health District is seeking a dynamic individual to oversee the planning, development, and implementation of emergency preparedness initiatives. The Emergency Preparedness Director coordinates the disaster response and crisis management activities, training plans, and procedures for the thirteen counties of the East Central Health District. This position will the primary district liaison between Public Health and EMS, Law Enforcement, Hospitals, healthcare institutions and emergency management agencies. The ideal incumbent will be organized, efficient and have a can-do attitude. He/she must have the ability to coordinate and motivate others and will be responsible for planning, developing, and managing collaborative efforts with internal and external partners.

Who we are. We protect lives.The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters. 

 What we offer.As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact.  No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:

• Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team– Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths 
• Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
• Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes a flexible schedule, employee retirement plan, 13 paid holidays, 401K, vacation & sick leave, dental, vision, long term care, and life insurance.

Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner and leaders encourages all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being. The use of wellness breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals. A maximum of 30-minutes in a given workday may be used to engage in wellness activities, generally in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

Primary Job Responsibilities
• Follow annex guidance and deliverables
• Primary point of contact for State EP office
• Be a Subject Matter Expert and resource for County Nurse Managers, EMAs, Healthcare partners and ESF-8 partners
• Train and Prepare County Health Departments for Emergencies – Manmade and Natural Disasters
• Assist in the development of EP training and exercises for staff of the ECHD – to include PODS, Shelters and other Public Health related activities
• Train DHEART (District Health Emergency Assistance Resource Team) to respond to Emergencies (include activation drills and or real-life events)
• Primary Contact for ESF-6 and ESF-8 roles during Manmade and Natural Disasters - Specific to Hurricane Planning, Master’s Preparation and emergency response
• Provides public information support – facilitates communication between the East Central Health District and the community.
Additional Job Responsibilities
• Supervises, plans, guides, and/or instructs the work assignments of assigned staff
• Performs planning, developing, and implementation of emergency preparedness initiatives
• Coordinates disaster response or crisis management activities such as opening shelters, working with the National Disaster Management System, activating local Strategic National Stockpile sites
• Provides disaster preparedness training and prepares emergency plans and procedures
• Essential functions include, but not limited to: Coordinating disaster response or crisis management activities such as opening shelters, special needs programs and evacuation
• Develops and performs test and evaluation of emergency management plans according to state and federal guidelines
• Develops, plans, and implements emergency preparedness initiatives
• Directs staff in quality assurance efforts and compliance to guidelines
• Directs the communication to appropriate agencies and media outlets in conjunction with the District Risk Communicator
• Oversees training activities and manages program budget
• Advises District leadership on procedures and practices to ensure maximal resource and personnel utilization during emergencies
• Inspects equipment and facilities to determine their operational and functional capabilities

Entry Qualifications:
Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
AND
Five years of experience in public health, emergency management, a closely related field
OR
Three years of equivalent experience at the lower level
Preferred Qualifications:
Certification in Emergency Management or Healthcare Emergency Management
AND
Five years of experience in Management/Leadership role
Five years of experience supervising the duties and responsibilities of subordinate staff
Experience with Federal, State or County budgets and programmatic audits

Employment Information    Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board rules regarding salary.    DPH accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.    The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.    As an employee of DPH, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.    If you require accommodations under the American Disability Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to: DPH-HR@dph.ga.gov.  DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer    Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.    This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.