MANAGER OF PLANNING

The Manager of Planning is responsible for assisting with the development of agency, county, and community preparedness plans and policies for the Cook County Health Department of Public Health (CCDPH) Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit.  Develops, implements, and administers activities to support the public health response system and will coordinate and lead, as appropriate, activities to respond to public health threats and emergencies.  The Manager of Planning will provide leadership and project oversight for major preparedness initiatives supported by the agency and/or its partners.

Typical Duties

·         Collaborates with Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response to set unit strategy to ensure operations align with unit strategy as well as state and federal preparedness guidance.

·         Oversees planning activities including assigned Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) domains and capabilities.

·         Manages and oversees activities of the planning staff to ensure metrics are met.  Makes recommendations on how to improve outcomes.

·         Coordinates with staff and outside agencies to develop, implement, exercise, and update regional emergency management plans in preparation for and response to public health emergencies. 

·         Oversees the development and maintenance efforts specific to agency, county, and community-driven comprehensive public health emergency response plans and policy including IPPW, training, exercise, and improvement planning.

·         Evaluates response efforts and amends to reflect best practices and lessons learned.

·         Maintains communication and cooperation with suburban elected officials, municipal health administrators, regional representatives, community organizations and others.

·         Conducts strategic planning processes to assess infrastructure gaps for major public health response issues.

·         Develop, implement, and maintain sustainable action plans in alignment with agency and partnership strategies for public health response.

·         Oversees Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP) maintenance activities.

·         Assists community preparedness partners with preparedness activities, which may include the provision of technical support, i.e., planning, organizing, and facilitation.

·         Develops evaluation and performance management plans for strategic plans, prepares progress reports as required, and evaluates preparedness capabilities on an ongoing basis.

·         Develops and maintains coalition and partnership to support preparedness planning activities.

·         Assists with preparation for Federal and/or State assessments.

·         Represents the agency on public health preparedness planning matters by serving on committees and/or taskforces and addresses both public and professional groups in matters of preparedness, both as needed.

·         Promotes communication and cooperation with suburban officials, municipal health administrators, regional representatives, community organizations and others to enhance preparedness capacity.

·         Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with five (5) years of experience in public health, environmental health, emergency medical services or healthcare OR Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with two (2) years of experience in public health, environmental health, emergency medical services or healthcare is required (Must provide proof at the time of interview)

·         Completion of the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) courses to include IS 100, 200, 700, and 800 certifications within six months, and ICS 300 and 400 certifications within a year of employment is required 

·         Completion of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program trainings within a year of employment is required

·         Position requires travel for which the employee must possess a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle or otherwise provide an acceptable and reliable means of transportation is required 

·         Must be available for “on-call” duty, as required is required 

·         Writing exercise will be administered at the time of interview is required 

Preferred Qualifications

·         Two (2) years of experience in emergency planning, emergency response or emergency management

·         Experience in program management

·         Experience plan writing or policy writing

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics