Senior Emergency Preparedness Specialist - Pandemic Planner

The Pandemic Planner is responsible for the development and maintenance of pandemic and infectious disease emergency preparedness and response plans. Additional responsibilities include managing the department's Health Alert Network program.

Work Location

This position may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work with some days working remotely and some days working in the office.

These positions are partially grant-funded, with funding secured through June 2027. These grant funds have historically renewed which has provided long-term funding. A lack of funding may result in a reduction of hours.

The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

• Maintain, train, evaluate, and edit plans specific to pandemic influenza, infectious diseases, the Strategic National Stockpile, and radiological incidents.
• Administer the department's Health Alert Network (HAN) communications system. Train staff and partners on the Health Alert Network. Coordinate with healthcare partners to update HAN recipient contacts.
• Coordinate emergency response and medical countermeasure mass dispensing/vaccination activities. Maintain contracts and agreements related to mass dispensing/vaccination operations.
• Administer and maintain respiratory fit testing program for department staff and volunteers.
• Perform financial monitoring, outreach, record keeping, and evaluation of projects and write project reports.
• Collaborate with City departments to prepare, analyze, and coordinate emergency responses to disasters or emergencies.
• Consult and collaborate with medical providers to educate, promote, and protect public health through program planning, trainings, and orientations.
• Serve as a resource and liaison for community partners regarding communicable disease prevention, health, and wellness. Engage in community programs that focus on enhancing emergency preparedness.
• Assess overall emergency preparedness against established metrics based on performance in assessments, federal reviews, exercises, and incidents capturing lessons learned that lead to program improvement.
• Participate in the creation of After-Action Reports from actual emergencies, training, and exercises; document relevant lessons learned that could improve the quality and effectiveness of the Health Department's Emergency Operations Plan.
• Develop written communications and resources for the public, the media, and policy makers on issues of public health emergency response and bioterrorism.
• Assess facilities and equipment to determine their operational and functional capabilities in emergency situations.
• If compatible with experience, serve as a health on-call officer with delegated authority, in rotation with other qualified personnel, using command-level judgment about the need for and scope of any department response to observed threats or hazards.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) with training in community and population health.

Desired qualifications:

• Master's degree in nursing, public health, emergency management, public administration, public safety, or a related field.
• Public Health Nurse Certificate.

• Experience giving injections (immunization or other pharmaceutical product).
• Able to provide vaccinations to all ages.

• License to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN), Advanced Practice RN, Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the State of Minnesota.
• Valid Driver's License.
• FEMA IS 100, 200, 700, 800; Psychological First Aid.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification, or able to get certification within 6 months of hire.
• FEMA ICS 300 and 400, or able to complete within 6 months of hire.
• Emergency Management Training Certificate from the State of Minnesota and/or a Certified Emergency Manager Certification through the International Association of Emergency Managers is highly desirable.

A cover letter is strongly preferred and resume are required. You must attach an updated resume to your application or your applications WILL be considered incomplete.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of one or more of the following steps: a rating of relevant education and experience (100%). It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will be used to determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions. Only those candidates who attain a passing score (70%) on each step in the selection process will be placed on the eligible list. The City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department reserves the right to limit the number in any phase of the selection process.

Background Check

The City has determined that a criminal background check and/or qualifications check may be necessary for certain positions with this job title. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the City to obtain their criminal history and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing. Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.

Eligible List Statement

The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title. This eligible list will expire one month after it has been established.

Interview Selection

The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the established eligible list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidate's education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.

• Knowledge of public health functions and the ability to develop and implement advocacy, policy, and outreach solutions for community health concerns.
• Knowledge of and experience with systems common in emergency response and public safety such as the Incident Command System.
• Considerable knowledge of public health emergency preparedness principles, planning andprogram development. Knowledge of the CDC's Public Health Preparedness Capabilities.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles of communicable disease prevention and control.
• Knowledge of vaccination screening and administration techniques.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment and maintain effective working relationships with diverse and special needs populations.
• Knowledge of health issues, including environmental and other issues in Minneapolis, and the ability to assess and provide mitigation strategies.
• Ability to present information and ideas accurately, effectively, and concisely.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in public speaking.
• Ability to gather, synthesize, and communicate information about situations or agents requiring public health emergency response planning and implementation.
• Knowledge of contract management, grant writing, policy development and implementation.

As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis.

The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.