Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Brief Job Description:

Under limited supervision of the Regional Medical Director (RMD) and/or Deputy Regional Director (DRD), position performs highly complex senior level managerial work overseeing the operations and activities of the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) program in Public Health Region 2/3 with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Lead and implement change initiatives related to processes and technologies. Drive adoption and proficiency of changes within the organization and programs. Supervises others and manages day-to-day activities of the program. Position establishes strategic goals, objectives and priorities for the regional PHEPR program to execute and fulfill the required work plans. Plans, assigns and supervises timely and accurate completion of all program work. Position develops budgets, evaluates budget requests and oversees contracts for all program activities. Oversees and directs the planning and response activities related to Planning/Response functions, and collaborates with the region’s Chief Epidemiologist, to respond to and investigate disease outbreaks of infectious diseases, all-hazard emergencies, bioterrorism events and other related public health initiatives and emergency situations. Develops and implements procedures and protocols to improve public health preparedness and response. Serves as regional subject matter expert on public health emergency preparedness activities including, but not limited to, all hazard emergencies and bioterrorism events. Works with DSHS Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR) to ensure coordination and integration of statewide planning efforts. Serves as a member of the Incident Command Structure in response to public health emergencies. May be required to work other than normal business hours and locations to respond to emergencies. Must comply with HHS, DSHS, Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards. This position is office based in the Arlington Office, Monday- Friday 8 am- 5 pm. Independent travel is required to meet the Essential Job Functions of this position.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Program management: Confers with RMD and DRD to develop strategic goals and plans. Drive adoption and proficiency of changes within the organization and programs. Performs advanced managerial work overseeing and directing the operations and activities of the PHR 2/3 Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) program. Position establishes goals, objectives and priorities for the regional preparedness programs to execute and fulfill the Centers for Disease Control Cooperative Agreement work plan. Oversees the regional Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program responsible for ESF-8 public health and medical emergency plans related to the Strategic National Stockpile, CHEMPACK, and Annex H of the State Operations Plan including operations guidance/technical manuals, standard operating guidelines and/or procedures, and training and education materials. Position oversees and directs the planning and response activities to include the activation of the Regional Health and Medical Operations Center in response to infectious disease outbreaks, all hazard emergencies, bioterrorism events, public health emergencies, and other related public health preparedness emergency response and related initiatives. Develops and maintains effective relationships and networks of communication with local health departments, offices of emergency management and federal, state and regional stakeholders to promote teamwork and collaboration on public health preparedness and response activities. Position oversees the coordination of media activities to include risk communication at the local, regional and statewide levels. Position may represent the PHEPR program at federal, state and local meetings, hearings, conferences, seminars and committees on preparedness activities or related public health issues as a technical resource on infectious diseases and bioterrorism. Attend program meetings within the region and statewide, as required. Provides technical review and approval of standard operating guidelines (SOG’s) for response plans, especially in counties where PHR 2/3 is the provider of public health services. Coordinates with DSHS CHEPR and other Public Health Regions to include participation on workgroups established to develop strategies, goals and standards associated with public health preparedness and response activities. Work in collaboration with local health departments to determine resource needs and appropriate public health control measures. Work includes oversight in the training of staff or external partners for response to bioterrorism, epidemiologic, mass fatality and other public health response events. Provide consultation to local health entities when requested. Completion of these EJF’s requires independent travel throughout the state of Texas. (40%)

Management of People: Provides day-to-day leadership, management, mentoring, and direct supervision to PHEPR program team members. Assures orientation, education, continued training, team building and program accountability for all division staff. Performs all personnel management activities in accordance with agency and regional policy: job descriptions, hiring, performance evaluations, employee recognition, time and leave management, and travel review and approval. Coaches, counsels, and carries out disciplinary actions as per HHS DSHS personnel policy. Ensure direct reports have a working knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology, investigation methodologies and surveillance systems, laboratory procedures and protocols, public health infrastructure (all levels), emergency management systems, inter-governmental relations between local, state and federal public health and emergency response entities. Completion of these EJF’s require independent travel, as team is headquartered in several offices in PHR 2/3. (25%)

Emergency Response/Coordination: Position oversees the activation of the Regional Health and Medical Operations Center (RHMOC) during public health emergencies, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and bioterrorism events. Ensures PHR 2/3 staff are adequately trained and prepared to complete RHMOC assigned roles and tasks. Participates in a support role to meet the agency’s obligations for disasters and recovery or Continuity of Operations and activation, using NIMS compliant ICS structure during events. As the RHMOC Director, responsible for coordinating all aspects of emergency response as related to a public health emergency. Responsibilities include deployment of staff and emergency assets within the region and statewide. Oversees the 24/7/365 contact availability and response for PHEPR staff to a simulated or natural occurring event. Coordinates the 24/7/365 coverage for response to public health emergencies. Required to work other than normal business hours and locations in order to respond to public health emergencies. Required to respond anywhere in the state of Texas to support an emergency response. Completion of these EJF’s requires independent travel throughout the state of Texas. Requires completion of at least ICS 100,200, 300, 400, 700 and 800. (15%)

Budget Management: Plans and directs the administrative and budgetary responsibilities to include budget development, monitoring and evaluation of all budget requests for PHEP and Epidemiology programs. Develops and works within program budgets, ensures effective and appropriate use of funds, and requests funds, as needed. Coordinates with the Budget Analyst, DRD and RMD on budgetary issues. Oversees expenditures, contract development and contract monitoring and quality assurance. Position is the lead technical resource for local health departments (LHD's) for CDC grant funding allocations and supplemental funding programs. (15%)

Regional Support: Participates in regional assignments/duties/special initiatives. Maintain compliance with DSHS Policy, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License. Other duties as assigned (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of: Management practices. Change management principles, techniques and tools. Public health, medical and bioterrorism preparedness and response practices. Public health infrastructure for local, state, and federal programs. Principles of epidemiology and Texas public health laws, especially those that govern the control and reporting of notifiable conditions and transmission of infectious diseases. Bioterrorism preparedness and response activities. National Incident Management System. Current social, economic and public health issues relevant to the public health region. Medical terminology. Data management and statistical methods. Basic mathematical computation and budgeting.

Skill in: Directing public health programs. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Gathering, assembling, correlating and analyzing facts to devise solutions regarding public health emergency preparedness and response. Using word processing, database, spreadsheet and graphic software packages (i.e., Microsoft Office, EpiInfo, SPSS, SAS). Writing concise reports to a variety of target audiences including program reviewers, public health administration, stakeholders and public forums. Developing and evaluating policies and procedures in accordance with regional administration, agency goals and program areas. Public speaking, and technical and routine correspondence for a variety of audiences including agency administration, elected officials, at risk populations and other stakeholders. Effective facilitation and communication skills. Devising solutions to administrative and personnel problems.

Ability to: Work under minimal supervision, exercising sound judgment. Manage day-to-day business functions, division, or department activities. Identify problems and implement appropriate solutions. Establish goals and objectives. Organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines. Develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures. Plan, assign, and supervise the work of others. Manage various program activities including investigations, interventions, educational opportunities and collaborative efforts with community partners. Apply time management principles to tasks including prioritization of limited staff and resources in response to public health emergencies in PHR 2/3 in a timely and efficient manner. Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners using tact and diplomacy. Communicate effectively. Prepare written reports and develop and implement policies and procedures. Present complex information to a variety of audiences. Assemble, summarize and interpret pertinent technical literature. Work well and effectively in a team environment. Initiate projects and work on multiple projects at the same time. Work discreetly and maintain confidentiality. Provide own personal transportation. Ability to travel independently throughout the state of Texas.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Texas Driver's license or driver's license from another state with the intent to obtain a Texas driver's license.

Certified as a Community Health Education Specialist, Certified in Public Health, or Community Health Worker, preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public health, emergency management/preparedness, or related field.

Preferred: Masters or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public health, emergency management, or related field.

Required: Documented in application at least 5 years of direct program management experience.

Required: Documented in application at least 3 years of direct people management experience.

Required: Ability to travel independently 30% of the time to complete essential job functions.

Preferred: Documented in application preparedness or emergency response experience.

Additional Information:

Note: Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application but may be provided as supplemental materials. All fields on the application must be filled-in completely. Applicants must provide information relevant to the required experience for this position in the job history sections of the application. Information on application must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.

Prior to beginning employment, employees/applicants who indicate they hold a degree from an institution of higher education must provide an original college transcripts indicating they earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree from a U.S. college or university or foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator.

Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas Driver License for the appropriate type vehicle.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form