Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelors Degree in public or allied health, public health administration, emergency management, public safety or a related field required; supplemented by three year(s) of experience in disaster planning, emergency management, or emergency preparedness operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license; certification in Emergency Management issued by the International Association of Emergency Management or the Georgia Emergency Management Association (GEMA) (to be obtained within twelve (12) months of employment).

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position. Requires knowledge of principles and practices of emergency response planning, training, and management. Requires knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines related to emergency management.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to coordinate emergency preparedness program services for an assigned region within the public health district for response to public health emergencies. Work involves assisting in the formulation and maintenance of emergency plans for the medical community and municipalities; supporting emergency preparedness initiatives; and, in the event of a terroristic attack or catastrophic event, managing the public health response according to FEMA guidelines for Emergency Support Function (ESF) 8. The Emergency Preparedness Officer is distinguished from the Emergency Preparedness Administrator in that the former coordinates emergency preparedness program activities for an assigned geographical area, whereas the latter oversees the comprehensive emergency response operations for the entire public health district. Incumbents in this class serve on an on-call basis 24 hours per day, seven (7) days per week as required.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Develops and maintains a variety of public health emergency response plans, programs, policies, and procedures: coordinates readiness for use of the Strategic National Stockpile in the event of need to dispense medical countermeasures to the public; coordinates Continuity of Operations Plan; coordinates airport communicable disease response plan; collects, compiles, and analyzes emergency preparedness response data; conducts research, training, and planning meetings related to emergency preparedness plans.

Monitors the operational readiness of hospitals, community health centers, medical staff, law enforcement, fire, Citizen Emergency Response Teams, and other partners and agencies: plans, observes, and evaluates drills and training exercises; conducts training; participates in drills; facilitates exercise debriefings; participates in the development of After Action reports and improvement plans; and makes recommendations to Emergency Preparedness Administrator based on observations.

Communicates and collaborates with county and municipality personnel and officials, supervisor, other employees, hospitals, internal and external public health response partners and agencies, the public, and other individuals as needed to establish and maintain effective relationships, coordinate work activities; and provide consultation and technical assistance.

Coordinates public health response (Emergency Support Function 8) for assigned geographical area in the event of a terroristic attack, act of bioterrorism, or other catastrophic event.

Participates or leads state public health workgroups focused upon specific federal healthcare preparedness capabilities; supports surveillance and epidemiological activities to improve the detection of man-made and natural health outbreaks; and serves on multidisciplinary teams, task forces, or other special assignments to support emergency preparedness programs and initiatives.

Maintains inventory, supply, recordkeeping, and equipment needs related to emergency preparedness programs: identifies needs; requisitions and makes payments for inventory; creates and maintains databases and records; and maintains, upgrades, and provides technical support for emergency management technology and equipment.

Assists in the development and implementation of a 24-hour, seven (7) days per week on-call program, including maintaining volunteer recruitment and contact lists to ensure adequate workforce strength during emergency events for assigned region.

Stays abreast of emergency management and public health guidelines, operations plans, and procedures; attends seminars and training courses; and obtains various emergency management certifications.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with emergency preparedness operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including Emergency Operations Plans and federal/state guideline documents; reviews, forwards, or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including After Action and Improvement reports, weekly and quarterly program reports, and training plans; compiles data; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Operates or uses various equipment and supplies in order to complete work assignments: operates and maintains radios, cell phones, vehicles, and other power or motorized equipment; operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, genetics, disability or sexual orientation.