Assistant Division Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response

The Fairfax County Health Department is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds. With more than 100 years of leadership in the field, we are committed to promoting population health, protecting public health and the environment, and ensuring residents’ equitable access to health services and information.

The Health Department seeks a progressive leader to fulfill the role of Assistant Division Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response. This position leads a portfolio of public health preparedness programs and functional areas of emergency management including operations, logistics, administrative preparedness, the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteer program, and various division and department support services.

Under the direction of the Division Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, provides leadership to the Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) to ensure that the Health Department can respond to natural and human-caused emergencies and public health threats. Oversees the planning, coordination, administration, evaluation, and operations of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery functions, as well as department support services. Performs strategic planning, program development, administrative operations, budgetary and fiscal management, and personnel management. Oversees quality assurance measures, implements policy, and coordinates across organizations. Translates department and division priorities into coordinated work; establishes clear direction, accountability, decision-making authority, and expectations to managers and staff. Provides direct supervision to managers, professional and paraprofessional staff, contractors, and volunteers. Performs hiring and recruitment, budget, human resources, and other administrative management functions.

Oversees EP&R’s Readiness Branch, which includes critical programs including Operations, Logistics, Administrative Preparedness, Climate Health, the Medical Reserve Corps, and related programs and services. Leads and coordinates division-wide and department-wide readiness functions, including the 24/7/365 Duty Officer program, department Incident Management Team (IMT), Department Operations Center (DOC) functions, Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF-8) coordination, incident management tools and resources, responder communications systems, and corrective actions from incidents and exercises. Provides leadership, direction, coaching, and performance guidance to program managers based on EP&R goals, Health Department policies, and strategic vision. Guides annual program planning and establishes expectations for performance measures. Reviews and approves program plans; uses data to evaluate progress and strengthen outcomes.

Serves as a subject matter expert and department representative on public health and emergency management issues. Ensures division programs and activities are conducted in accordance with local, regional, state, and federal plans, guidelines, and requirements. Coordinates with Health Department divisions, county, state and federal agencies, regional committees and workgroups, healthcare partners, and other organizations to maintain readiness and support emergency operations. Promotes and operates within an Incident Command System (ICS) structure during emergency responses. Assists the division director in ensuring the Health Department meets all standards, metrics, certifications, credentialing and responder competency requirements related to public health preparedness, response, and recovery. Fosters a culture of readiness and resiliency within the Health Department.• Thorough knowledge of management principles, methods, and practices;

• Thorough knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of emergency management;
• Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and County laws and regulations affecting emergency management services, and the ability to interpret and apply them correctly;
• Ability to plan and manage the work of emergency preparedness and response staff;
• Ability to develop measures to counteract/mitigate specific public health risks;
• Ability to solve problems and resolve conflicts;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, coworkers, associates, elected or appointed officials, public and private sector organizations, and the general public;
• Ability to develop and implement short and long-term business continuity and emergency preparedness plans;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing;
• Ability to adapt broadly defined policy guidance to specific situations;
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
• Ability to analyze data and draw sound conclusions;
• Ability to effectively manage, train and motivate employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, emergency management, public health, healthcare administration, or a related field; PLUS six years of professional experience that included emergency preparedness and response management, two of which must have been at a supervisory/management level.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:• Valid driver's license.

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (Required within 60 days of appointment).
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification (Required within 60 days of appointment).
• Certificates of Incident Command System (ICS) trainings 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 (Required within twelve (12) months of appointment).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

Additional Work Schedule Requirements: May be required to work after-hours, and/or weekends, and/or holidays, as assigned. May be required to serve as Health Department emergency responder.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Extensive experience managing staff, programs, and the daily operations of public health or preparedness organizations.

• Experience in public health emergency preparedness and response and/or emergency management.
• Expert-level written and oral communications with demonstrated experience and ability to develop written products, both technical and non-technical, for a diverse range of audiences.
• Experience developing, interpreting, implementing, and applying policy to organizational activities and goals.
• Practical experience serving in ICS leadership roles during real-world emergencies.
• Experience delivering oral presentations and briefings to diverse audiences in formal and informal settings.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect an ability to manage multiple priorities, communication pathways, and time-sensitive projects with impeccable attention to detail.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Job is generally sedentary in nature, and requires walking, standing, sitting (for long periods of time), and kneeling, reaching, bending, climbing stairs; may be required to lift or carry up to 25 lbs. occasionally. Uses hands to grasp, handle, or feel. Visual acuity is required to read data from paper and on a computer monitor or other electronic device; ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer and use of touchscreen. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. Generally, works in an office environment but is also required to perform job duties outside of a typical office setting (e.g. healthcare facilities, warehouses, shelters) including outdoor settings in all-weather conditions and nighttime hours. Ability to drive a motor vehicle. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [email protected] EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-NW1