Training & Exercise, EM Specialist

Position Description

If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

This is a grant-funded position.

Our Values:

HCPH embraces a foundation of progressive work anchored by the department's cornerstone values guiding our work to improve community's health and well-being.

• Transparency- We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
• Integrity- Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
• Respect - We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
• Impact -We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
• Collaboration- We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the Public Health Preparedness & Response (PHPR) Operations Manager, the Training & Exercise Specialist will deliver appropriate education, training, and exercise opportunities to key public health professionals, health care providers, and external stakeholders. The Training & Exercise Specialist will support the creation of all PHPR training, including Just-In-Time training for public health emergencies to all-hazard events, and the planning and execution of preparedness exercises and drills. This position supports public health emergency responses and will be activated to public health emergencies. When activated, this position may act in a leadership position supporting all-hazard public health emergency response and recovery.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and implement the Training and Exercise Plan (TEP) and collaborate across the division to support the development and implementation of the Multi-Year Integrated Preparedness Plan (MYIPP).
• Lead Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)-compliant exercises for public health all-hazards preparedness. Ensure all required exercise documentation is completed correctly within the required timeframe and meets all grant requirements.
• Coordinates logistics for training and exercise events, including registration, materials, instructors, venues, and participant communications. Conducts After Action Reviews (AARs) and develops Improvement Plans (IPs) in coordination with exercise participants and stakeholders. Maintains records of participation, training completion, exercise evaluations, and documentation for compliance with deliverables. Prepare regular training and exercise compliance reports.
• Support PHPR staff in developing and evaluating program-specific training and exercises, including the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) program.
• Assess training and exercise needs of the public health workforce, incorporate gaps identified from AAR/IP, and document findings in a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) report. Identify workforce performance gaps specific to public health all-hazards emergency preparedness and response. Utilize assessment to develop and maintain the PHPR Workforce Development Plan (WDP).
• Maintains a high degree of proficiency within the incident management framework, and other duties as assigned to include, but not limited to, acting in a lead role during public health emergency events and supporting all-hazard public health emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net. This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Public Health, Business/Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Adult Education, or a related field of study.

Experience:

• One (1) year of experience in public health, public health emergency preparedness, epidemiology, emergency management, adult education, business/public administration, healthcare administration, project management, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and virtual collaboration platforms (MS Teams).
• Strong communication (verbal & written) and presentation skills.
• Strong data collection, analysis, and evaluation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.
• Knowledge of the principles and practice of emergency preparedness planning, training, and exercising.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders both internal and external.
• Familiarity with CDC PHEP Capabilities, NIMS/ICS, and HSEEP requirements.
• Ability to implement program policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours (evenings, weekends, holidays).

Core Competencies:

• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.
• Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.
• Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.
• Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.
• Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education:

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Public Health, Business/Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Adult Education, or a related field of study.

Experience:

• One (1) year of experience in a Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP)/Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) program.

Certification:

• Certifications in HSEEP and ICS (100, 200, 700, 800, 300, 400).

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position.
• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5 pm.
• Others days and hours as necessary. Must be able to work extended hours for a minimum of 96 hours.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Will include occasional travel across Harris County to collaborate with community partners. Response, outreach, training, and exercise activities could be outdoors, sometimes in austere conditions, or in a non-climate controlled warehouse with various public health equipment.
• Can work in extreme conditions during an emergency response or pandemic.
• Work will require initiative and good judgment concerning the programmatic activities of the office. Must be able to adapt to other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

• This position will require work during stressful emergencies.
• Must be able to speak in a manner easily understood by the average person.
• Must be able to perform duties assigned during emergencies competently.
• The incumbent must be able to lift 30 lbs., walk up two flights of stairs, and work in the field when required.

Work Location:

• Harris County Public Health (1111 Fannin, Houston, 77002).

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Benefits

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*
• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com