"Alerted.org

Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist, Public Health

Posting Begin Date: 2025/06/10

Posting End Date: 2025/06/24

Category: Emergency Management

Sub Category: Public Health

Work Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: 25.79

Maximum Salary: 30.34

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

NOTICE: This position is not covered by Social Security. Instead, SWDH employees benefit from a mandatory 401(a) retirement plan with fixed employee and employer contributions.

+ Vision : A Healthier Southwest Idaho.

+ Mission : To promote the health and wellness of those who live, work and play in Southwest Idaho.

+ Values : Accountability, customer-focused, and teamwork influence the work we do and the difference we hope to make.

Are you looking for an opportunity to serve the communities of Adams, Washington, Payette, Gem, Canyon, and Owyhee counties? Do you crave a job where you can make a difference and serve the public? Southwest District Health (SWDH) is recruiting aPublic Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist (Program Specialist)to join the dedicated group of public health professionals in thePublic Health Emergency Preparedness and Epidemiology Response (PHEPER) Unit within the Division of Environmental and Community Health.

As aPublic Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialistand public health employee, you will serve an active role in improving the health of your community. As part of a small, but mighty team, you will support efforts to protect community health and safety by helping ensure that public health systems are ready to respond effectively to emergencies such as natural disasters, bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health threats. This position assists in the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of preparedness plans, training exercises, and response operations.

If you crave team-oriented work, purpose, and work/life balance, perhaps it's time you considered a career with SWDH. We're all about shaking up the stereotype that working in government is dull. We're disruptors and innovators, all passionately sharing the same vision of making Southwest Idaho the best place to live, work, and play. We believe in fostering a positive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

This position may include a teleworking option from within Idaho.

This is a limited service position. Length of Limited-Service appointments are defined as appointments tied to funding for a specific program, grant or project that is not indefinite in nature.

Excellent Benefits

This budgeted, regular full-time position offers a competitive benefits package including PERSI (one of the BEST RETIREMENT system available in the Nation) (https://www.persi.idaho.gov/docs/members/PERSI-Benefits-at-a-Glance.pdf) with a lifetime benefit!

+ Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits (https://ogi.idaho.gov/benefits-plans/) (Employee-only PPO coverage at $70.74/month for medical/vision and $12.08/month for dental; low-cost options for family members. Free High Deductible Health Plan for employees; low-cost for dependents.)

+ Life Insurance (https://ogi.idaho.gov/life-disability/) (FREE basic coverage; paid supplemental options for employees and dependents.)

+ 11 paid holidays , generous vacation, and sick leave accrual starting immediately. (Holiday pay and accruals are prorated based on hours worked.)

+ Mandatory 401(a) retirement program with 12.4% combined contributions

+ Optional 401(k) (https://www.persi.idaho.gov/choice-401k-plan/active-members/) and 457 (https://www.idahodc.com/rsc-web-preauth/index.html) Saving Plans

+ Wellness Programs (https://ogi.idaho.gov/be-healthy/)

+ Flexible and family-supported policies, including 8 weeks paid parental leave

+ Bring your canine friend to work on Fridays

+ In-house fitness room and outdoor walking path

+ Ongoing internal and external training opportunities

+ Student Loan Forgiveness (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) and Tuition Reimbursement!

+ Easy commute with reverse traffic flow from Boise to Caldwell

Our generous benefits package boosts total compensation for full-time Program Specialist, transforming the base pay range from $25.79 - $30.34/hour to an estimated total compensation value, including benefits, of $37.79 - $43.35/hour, showcasing our investment in your well-being and professional growth.

Typical Duties:

Candidates must be able to complete the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and meet all the mandatory qualifications of the position.

+ Assist in the coordination and planning of public health emergency response activities with local, tribal, and state partners, in alignment with CDC Public Health Preparedness Capabilities.

+ Support Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) logistics, including organizing inventory data, tracking trained personnel, and assisting in distribution planning.

+ Help maintain and update Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with partner organizations to ensure readiness and response coordination.

+ Provide operational support for emergency preparedness drills and exercises, including scheduling, materials preparation, and post-event documentation.

+ Conduct interviews with individuals diagnosed with or exposed to communicable diseases, and assist with identifying contacts and coordinating partner services.

+ Provide health education and prevention messaging to individuals and communities, supporting disease intervention efforts under the guidance of epidemiology staff.

+ Assist epidemiologists during disease investigations by gathering, organizing, and entering case-related data into surveillance systems.

+ Design and maintain interactive dashboards (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, or ArcGIS Dashboards) to support real-time monitoring and emergency response.

+ Develop and update digital content for public-facing websites and internal systems to share timely information on outbreaks, resources, and emergency alerts.

+ Support the preparation and distribution of Health Alert Network (HAN) messages and ensure digital content meets state accessibility and usability standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

You must possess all the minimum qualifications listed below to qualify for this position. All required experience and/or education must be listed under the work history section of this application OR on your resume and must include a detailed explanation of your roles and responsibilities at each relevant employer.

Minimum Qualifications (MQ):

+ Some knowledge of:

- Management practices

- Program or project planning and implementation

•Some knowledge” typically gained through either 2-4 relevant college courses, 6 months to 2 years of entry-level related work experience, or a combination of coursework and experience demonstrating the necessary knowledge.

+ Approximately 6 months of related work experience developing and evaluating policies and procedures.

MQ Specialty :

+ Valid Driver’s License

Ideal Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities :

+ Ability to work in a team environment

+ Some knowledge and experience with public health emergency preparedness and response initiatives

+ Some knowledge and experience with motivational interviewing

+ Some knowledge and experience working with web-based systems

+ Self-starter

Supplemental Information:

This position is not covered by Social Security. As a result, employees do not pay Social Security taxes and will not earn credits toward Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits based on earnings from this job. However, Medicare taxes will still be withheld, and these earnings will count toward Medicare eligibility.

Who May Apply

Individuals who meet all the “MQ’s” and “MQ Specialties” listed above. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodation may be directed to the contact listed on this job posting.

How to Apply

Log in to your https://statecareers.idaho.gov/ account, find this job announcement and select the Apply Now button. Attach your most current resume and follow the promptings to complete the exam. Hit submit. Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

The successful candidate will have a history and background supportive of the department's mission goal and be required to complete a pre-employment drug test and a criminal history background check to include fingerprints.

SWDH is an equal opportunity employer and hiring is done without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, age, or disability, exercising the right to family care and medical leave . In addition, preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations. Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodation to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodation or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Human Resource Office at 208.455.5307.

NOTICE: Idaho's Public Health Districts are agencies that are authorized by the State of Idaho as independent bodies. District employees are not State of Idaho employees, rather District employees who receive benefits through the Office of Group Insurance.

To learn more about Southwest District Health, please visit SWDH.id.gov .

If you would like to become a part of our team, we encourage you to apply.

If you have questions about this position, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 208.455.5307