PLANNING CONSULTANT - 64080396

Requisition No: 842986 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: PLANNING CONSULTANT - 64080396

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64080396 

Salary:  $1,895.00 Biweekly 

Posting Closing Date: 12/25/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB POSTING

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position works within the Public Health Preparedness Section (PHP) of the Okaloosa County Health Department (OCHD). This is an independent position leading the Okaloosa County Public Health Preparedness Program and Public Health and Emergency Preparedness grant funding expectations. Engages in a variety of work activities to support the accomplishment of Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and OCHD Strategic Priorities, including strategic planning, performance management, quality improvement, community health assessment and improvement, workforce development, and emergency preparedness and response. Independent planning and initiative are required for the performance of this position. The position requires an understanding of emergency response and incident command operations documented in a combination of education and experience. The position requires independent leadership skills and volunteer management experience. 

This position leads local preparedness personnel to ensure coordination and cohesiveness of response plans within the OCHD organization. Manages annual reviews of written plans and authors additions or novel plans for meet Strategic Planning for emerging health threats and County Health Department (CHD) expectations. Serves as the lead liaison with other emergency response agencies (Public Safety, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire/Rescue Agencies, Law Enforcement, Public Works) for public health volunteer management. Functions as backup  team lead for Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF-8) Health and Medical team at the Okaloosa County Emergency Operations Center when activated. Responsible for ESF-8 staff scheduling and training, organizing, and planning response, and conducting response. Responsible for scheduling and conducting quarterly ESF-8 meetings. Serves as part of the Incident Management Team as assigned. Serves on the Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC). Participates in Quality Improvement Projects.  

Prepares manuals, procedural guides and checklists for emergency preparedness and response. Trains workers in use of procedures and equipment for emergency response. Updates manuals and plans on a routine basis to ensure compliance with policies and procedures as well as coordination with local, regional, and state plans as part of a team. Reviews programs, services, forms, and reports, and confers with senior management and users to identify problems and improvements relating to emergency preparedness and response. Interviews personnel and conducts on-site observation to ascertain unit functions, work performed, and methods, equipment, and personnel used in emergency response exercises and response. Assists in interpreting laws, rules, policies and/or regulations relating to program area. Provides technical assistance and direction for development, implementation, evaluation and expansion of programs or services related to preparedness and response. Documents findings and prepares recommendations for implementation of new systems or procedures. Evaluates functioning of newly implemented systems and procedures.

Community Partnership/Response: Attends local, regional, and statewide meetings as directed. Serves as the primary member from Okaloosa County Health Department at the Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC) meetings.  Plans, conducts, coordinates and/or participates in emergency response exercises pertaining to public health. Designs, evaluates, and recommends changes to emergency plans and activities based on needs analysis. Develops and maintains relationships with local community entities to enhance the ability of the Okaloosa County Health Department to respond to public health emergencies. Plans, coordinates, and/or presents at local and regional conferences, meetings, and workshops. 

Budget: Assists in the development and performs monthly reviews of local preparedness budgets with the Preparedness Section Chief. Analyzes financial information, researches, and recommends purchases to the program manager or Section Chief. Identifies, researches, and applies for any grant funding available to enhance the actions and resources of the Preparedness Section and Okaloosa County Health Department. Monitors compliance policies and procedures for the administration of federal grant funds or other trust fund monies. Analyzes data and develops solutions or alternative methods of proceeding. Works with the Administrative Assistant in the purchasing process. Manages a p-card and makes purchases in accordance with Florida Department of Health policy.

CEMP: Serves as the overall program lead for Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans (CEMP) reviews for Home Medical Equipment Providers, Home Health Agencies, Nurse Registries, and Hospice Organizations in Okaloosa County. Responsible for oversight and compliance by agencies with Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code. Serves as the Liaison between Florida Department of Health and Okaloosa County Health Department concerning CEMP policy reviews and rule changes. Participates in the annual CEMP meeting with partners to provide planning education and training. 

Safety: Functions as backup Safety Coordinator and Lead Fire Warden. Reviews and coordinates all OCHD Safety/Incident Reporting per FDOH Policy. Co-chairs the Risk Management/Safety Committee. Serves as the Fire Marshal, overseeing response planning, training, and drills.

Serves as the Contract Manager POC for Open and Closed POD MOA/MOUs. Works with the Preparedness Section Chief and the Planning Consultant in identifying new Closed POD locations, strengthening incumbent location preparedness, and continuing the relationships with Open POD locations.

Serves as the Okaloosa-Walton Medical Reserve Corps (OWMRC) Coordinator for management of the OWMRC strategic plan, management plan and budget, and assists in preparation of OWMRC grant documents. Ensures volunteer recruitment and identifies/develops special projects and mission ready teams (Lean on Me Project, Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team, Special Needs Shelter Team, First Aid Booth Team). Serves as an Everbridge administrator. 

Performs all other duties as assigned in support of the Agency’s mission and vision.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent keyboarding skills and proficiency in MS software including Word, Excel, Outlook
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, grammar and punctuation and ability to clearly communicate thoughts in a well-organized way in a style appropriate for the intended audience and purpose, in both oral and written settings. 
• Ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a professional manner with customers, citizens, co-workers and management.
• Ability to communicate satisfactorily in both written and verbal form.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence, Federal, State, and local regulations, MSDS sheets, safety manuals, operating and repair manuals, etc; and warning labels.
• Advanced written communication skills to follow grant and planning guidelines and write effective grant applications and plans.
• Must exhibit leadership skills, emotional presence, and good judgement to manage and lead a response.

Qualifications:

• 4 year degree in Public Health, Emergency Management or closely related field required. Experience may be substituted on a year for year basis to meet the education requirement

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County – Fort Walton Beach, FL

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.