The purpose of this position is to coordinate the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program (PHEPR) including grant administration, program implementation, and overseeing the Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) certification process. This position is responsible for coordinating PHEPR and COVID-19 related funding, work plan development, reporting activities, and other program requirements. Program activities include developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships, updating and executing the multi-year training and exercise plan (MYTEP), facilitating internal and external public health preparedness and response planning and training activities, coordinating health communications related to emerging health threats and public health preparedness and response information, and implementing community-level public health preparedness and response strategies.

Coordinate the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response grant (PHEPR) and associated COVID-19 funding. Work with the City’s Grants Coordinator for the writing, submission, and management of grant applications and contracts. Coordinate and manage activities for awarded public health emergency preparedness and response grants. Oversee the timely completion of work plan deliverables, program evaluation, and preparation of PHEPR related reports.

Collaborate with community partners, including but not limited to local health care providers and hospitals, schools, businesses, social services agencies, York County Office of Emergency Management, the York/Adams Metropolitan Medical Response System (YAMMRS), Keystone Health care Coalition and the PA Department of Health. Represent the City of York – Bureau of Health at local, regional, and state meetings. Coordinate activities with the City Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and York County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to support public health emergency and disaster preparedness and response efforts.

Lead activities to maintain Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) certification. Update and maintain the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

Supervise Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) staff to implement preparedness and response activities. Organize and coordinate community volunteers and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members to assist with emergency preparedness and response efforts.

Develop and implement education and outreach activities related to various public health topics including emergency and disaster preparedness, extreme weather events, communicable disease prevention, etc.

Coordinate point of distribution events for vaccine-preventable communicable diseases. Coordinate testing activities in collaboration with health care partners and community-based organizations.

Coordinate public health emergency preparedness drills, tabletops, trainings, and exercises.  Collaborate with program staff to update and maintain the MYTEP (Multi-year Training and Exercise Plan). Work with staff to develop training/exercise evaluation plans and ensure mandatory trainings are completed and required certifications are maintained by all Health Bureau staff. Engage other City departments, external community partners, and stakeholders in public health emergency training exercises when applicable. Identify and address the needs of vulnerable/at-risk populations, including access and functional needs in relation to public health emergency preparedness and response, and implement planning and training activities with organizations that serve them.

Coordinate activities with the epidemiological staff to identify and monitor significant disease trends and early detection of emerging infectious diseases and other health threats.

Work with staff bureau-wide and city-wide to disseminate public health related information related to public health emergencies and emerging health threats. Coordinate with City’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA), other City departments, and the York County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to develop mass notification and info-sharing capabilities and processes. Prepare press releases, articles, and other educational materials regarding emerging health threats and public health preparedness and response.

Participate in quality improvement team projects and quality improvement training initiatives. Assist in the development of the Annual Health Plan. Assist in conducting community needs assessments, improvement plans, capabilities assessments, hazard and vulnerability analysis, and other planning and accreditation related efforts.

Provide emergency response oversight to the Health Bureau as well as support for City-wide response efforts in collaboration with the City’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and provide support to other community-based organizations and institutions when applicable.

Other duties as assigned.

Work requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide.
Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively.
Excellent Communication Skills both written and verbal
Building and Maintaining relationships
Public Speaking
Time Management
Grant writing and management