Environmental Sanitarian/Emergency Preparedness Planner

• Work may include a flexible schedule as needed

GENERAL SUMMARY: Under general supervision, coordinate City of Dubuque’s public health emergency preparedness planning efforts by assisting the Public Health Director in emergency preparedness duties; coordinate communications to support departmental and emergency preparedness information; support Public Information Officer; perform public health and emergency preparedness planning and response and recovery; perform technical inspection work involving the enforcement of state and local laws, ordinances and regulations as part of the city's health services programs; and perform other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate possesses the ability to work effectively as a member of a team; and the desire to be part of an organization that values service, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation, and teamwork.

DISTINGIUSHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Work in this class involves responsibility for the enforcement of applicable state statutes and municipal public health ordinances, codes and regulations. General programs and policies are determined by the department director. Specific decisions are made in accordance with applicable ordinances, codes and regulations, along with federal, state and local preparedness and disaster guidelines. Employees in this class have considerable freedom and are expected to exercise independent judgment.

JOB DUTIES:

• Communicate preparedness, resiliency response and recovery information and education to the media and through contacts with community groups, governmental agencies, schools and businesses.
• Testify at legal or legislative proceedings

• Prepare regulatory or compliance documentation
• Execute public health and citywide preparedness plans
• Develop letters of agreement with public and private organizations
• Apply State and Federal standards as they relate to programs
• Utilize a computer and software for tracking, monitoring, and documentation, web-based software for inspections, e-mail, presentations, and other basic computer functions; and multi forms of technology daily including computer, tablet, smartphone and various software and databases.
• Operate office equipment such as calculators, fax and photocopiers, tablets and multi-line telephones
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Emergency Management Agency, Medical Reserve Corp, hospital emergency preparedness staff, the Dubuque County Public Health Preparedness Coalition, volunteer groups, community agencies, co-workers, and members of the public, and local, state and federal partners
• Write, review, implement and evaluate public health emergency preparedness plans
• Collaborate with the Public Health Director to develop policy and procedures, and oversee the implementation of those policies and procedures
• Ensure training is provided to public health staff in emergency preparedness and disaster recovery efforts, including required NIMS training courses, and tracking successful completion of required courses
• Coordinate and ensure public health required drills and exercises are conducted
• Lead meetings and ensure hotwashes, lessons learned, and After Action Reports are completed for drills, exercises and real events
• Develop effective external communications through various media formats to support departmental strategies; emergency preparedness and disaster recovery funding proposals and programs
• Participate in public health disaster recovery efforts
• Represent City of Dubuque/Dubuque County on local and state committees included but not limited to: Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) Region 6, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LC), and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
• Provide information to individuals and the public about how to prepare and plan for public health emergencies
• Assist with the development and implementation of strategic planning as it relates to emergency preparedness
• Attend work related meetings and trainings
• Inspect public and institutional food establishments; environmental nuisances (examples; garbage, stagnant water, air pollution, noise, hazardous waste, oil spills, fish kills, illegal dumping, licensed refuse haulers, inadequate private onsite sewage disposal facilities and private water supplies); public swimming pools and spas; licensed public lodging facilities; and tattoo establishments
• Interpret health requirements to the media and through contacts with community groups and food service workers
• Appear in court as a witness against persons who violate municipal public health ordinances
• Assess residential units/homes for lead and health hazards
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, representatives of other agencies and employees
• Study, analyze and compile technical information
• Handle moderate to high levels of stress, meet deadlines and solve problems appropriate to the position
• Organize and present factual information and ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to groups and individuals in formal and informal situations
• Follow oral and written instructions

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM PLANNING - Federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations; principles and practices, including public health related planning, National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS.); and principles of program planning, quality improvement and performance management.
• COMMUNICATIONS AND EXPRESSION - Digital, print, and social media communication strategies; and clear and concise verbal or written expressions as a form of communication.
• PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH - Knowledge of municipal health ordinances, state statutes and regulations; and modern principles, techniques, practices and objectives. Ability to enforce municipal public health ordinances, state statutes and regulations, tactfully, firmly and impartially, while maintaining effective working relations with the public
• Problem sensitivity
• Written, Reading and Oral Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Utilize critical thinking, active listening, speaking, monitoring, active learning, complex problem solving and writing. and compile technical and statistical information and make recommendations from such data
• Be detail-oriented and accurate while performing duties

WORK CONDITIONS: Work requires clarity of speech and hearing; and sufficient vision to review a wide variety of materials both in hardcopy and electronic form.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in public health, physical and biological sciences, emergency management/ preparedness or related field, environmental health or related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid state driver’s license.
• Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training within one year of employment.
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) Certification within six (6) months of employment
• Standardized under Standard #2 of the FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards within 24 months of employment.

• Certified in Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• Registered Sanitarian (RS).

SUPERVISORY STATUS: Functional

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Employee shall establish their principal place of residence within thirty (30) miles of the corporate limits of the city of Dubuque as soon as practicable after appointment, but within two years of appointment.