PH EDUCATION SPECIALIST - PREPAREDNESS

Job Title: Public Health Education Specialist - Preparedness CoordinatorDepartment: Health and Human Services AgencyPay Grade: 66FLSA Status: Non-ExemptAGENCY MISSION, YOUR MISSIONHaywood County Health and Human Services' mission is to enhance the health, safety, and full potential of our community. In the Public Health Services Division, you would serve as an advocate for the public's health and help shape positive health outcomes for all Haywood County residents. All members of our team must uphold the confidentiality of Haywood County's citizens, safeguarding their privacy and dignity at all times.JOB SUMMARYThe Public health Education Unit provides leadership in Haywood County that will assist individuals in making healthy lifestyle choices. This program area also works to expand community capacity to initiate interventions for improved health status. This program section has the responsibility to work with the community to carry out a community health assessment and develop an action plan on a biennial basis as mandated by the Department of Health and Human Services.The primary purpose of this position is to formulate, organize and direct all preparedness initiatives and specific health services programs to encourage community emphasis and participation in the programs. This is achieved by working with individuals, families, community leaders, first responder agencies, emergency personnel, health care providers and health related groups at risk. This position provides leadership in planning, organizing, and implementing/coordinating the HHSA Agency's preparedness and health promotion activities. It is responsible for development of preparedness, health education policies and procedures, program priorities and services as related to preparedness, health promotion/wellness and is responsible for program evaluation and quality assurance.Work Schedule:Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with 1 hour for lunch, however an alternate work schedule (40 hours per week) may be considered upon request. Other hours may be set or required per the County policy. Perform duties in times of emergency, including but not limited to, those that may be related to a Public Health Emergency or mass sheltering, as the agency is a mandated shelter for the county, and performs such duties as assigned, and the hours worked in emergency response could vary from hours worked in the office.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:Preparedness Coordinatora. Planningi. Convene meetings with community partners to develop/write/refine preparedness plans and/or sections of plans.ii. At minimum, the following will be included:1. Pandemic Flu, Pandemic COOP, Respiratory Protection Program (RESPOT), Crisis Communication or Communication Plan, Strategic National Stockpile, Public Health components of county All Hazard Plan that specifically address these agents will suffice.b. Trainingi. Maintain workforce development assessment for preparedness for the HCHHSA staff.ii. Provide resources for staff on training needs identified through the assessment. This may be done in the form of educational flyers, notification of courses available elsewhere, etc. Based on priorities determined with the Health Director, this may include funding for training programs to be provided to staff.iii. Facilitate the delivery of required preparedness training programs such as NIMS/ICS for HHSA.iv. Conduct Fit Testing for employees who participate in the Respiratory Protection Program. This will take place on hire, annually, and as needed.c. Exercisei. Conduct, either directly or through a vendor, exercise as required by the AA514 and/or as identified by plans, training, programs, etc.ii. Using the After Action Reports from exercises, develop a Correction Action Plan (CAP) and identify mechanisms for implementing the CAP.iii. Re-exercise after the CAP has been implemented to re-test for improvement.d. Otheri. Serve as a member of the County Incident Management Team and participate in major events and training four (4) times per year with the County Incident Management Team.ii. Act as liaison for preparedness activities with the HHS Agency.iii. Act as liaison for the HHS Agency with other response partners.iv. Attend meetings with Emergency management, law enforcement and other local and regional response partners.v. Maintain educational and training requirements to be capable and competent for roles and functions.vi. Maintain proficiencies in software and hardware necessary to accomplish roles and functions.vii. Participate in the funding monitoring system to the extent that the PC assures that reports such as the Electronic Monthly Report (EMR) and Quarterly Narrative Report (QNR) are completed and submitted in a timely manner.viii. Act as the liaison with PHP&R for preparedness activities and especially on matters related to the AA514.ix. Serve on the Agency's Epi Team.Health Promotiona. Present critical health data to decision makers including costs/detriments to current health status of the public to influence development of and support for pro-health policies.b. Interprets wellness/health risk data to management team/decision makers to solicit and maintain support and understanding of health promotion programs.c. Leads meetings of physical activity/nutrition coalition to establish priorities and develop goals, objectives and action plans to address identified needs.d. Provides technical assistance to the coalition to establish priorities and develop goals, objectives and action plans to address identified needse. Work with community members to coordinate and facilitate community forums on health issues.Program Planning and EvaluationMonitors, records, and submits monthly reports and statistical data to supervisor regarding community involvement, educational activities, media contacts, and activities of the coalition.Collects and maintains evaluation information on coalition projects. This information is presented to coalition members and community groups to promote the coalition and generate on-going support for projects/activities.Reviews trends in public health related statistics. Disseminates this information in concise reports to coalition members and Health and Human Services Agency staff to facilitate planning/evaluation efforts.Employees are required to maintain compliance with all State and Federal laws and program requirements including but not limited to confidentiality laws (HIPAA, Juvenile Code, PII, etc.). Employees are expected to adhere to Agency, Countywide and Departmental policies and procedures regarding information security and confidentiality, and to report any suspected unauthorized disclosure or loss of information immediately. Employees must ensure security of all County data, equipment, and information in both electronic and paper form that is accessed as part of job duties to minimize risk of improper disclosure or data breach.Emergency Response, including but not limited to support of the Federally mandated and State statutory responsibilities including, but not limited to Public Health and Mass Care duties.Performs other duties as assigned.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in health education; or graduation from a four-year college or university and completion of one year of on-the-job training as a public health educator.a. Acceptable training and experience for a trainee appointment: Graduation from a four-year college or university.Must participate in Respiratory Protection Plan and be Fit Tested Annually.Valid state driver's license. Must have no more than three (3) points showing on current DMV records in order to operate county vehicles.Additional Training/Experience:Participates in professional organizations, conferences, and training opportunities to enhance professional knowledge base and to network with others in the field.ICS training based on statutory requirements and duties of the job.Infection Control Regulatory Practices /OSHA Infection Training required by state.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:Knowledge of county ordinances, policies, and procedures.Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.Skilled in the use of computers and applicable software programs.Ability to work effectively with people on all educational levels and to maintain effective working relationships with local health departments, community agencies and the public.Knowledge of methods and techniques used in preparing and disseminating educational information to the public. Knowledge of the techniques involved in preparing and displaying posters, exhibits, and other educational visual aids.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Requires sedentary work that involves sitting or standing virtually all of the time and may involve a moderate to heavy amount of lifting and carrying items from location to location. Considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving repetitive motions and the use of standard office equipment.The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing and speaking abilities, depth and texture perception, and color perception. Must possess ability to ambulate without assistance.WORK ENVIRONMENT:The office of this position is located at the Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency. The working conditions of this position are that of a typical office environment. This position requires a significant amount of travel throughout the county and within the region.EMPLOYER BENEFITS PACKAGE:Employer paid Health & Dental CoverageParticipation in the NC Retirement System401(k) and 457(b) plans availableEmployer paid Life InsuranceCompetitive Vision InsuranceAnnual Performance Pay IncreasesVacation, Personal, and Sick LeaveFree Employee Assistance NetworkFree Employee Wellness ClinicDiscounted Gym MembershipPaid HolidaysLongevity PayTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.Haywood County has the right to revise this position description at any time and does not represent in any way a contract of employment.