Whatcom County, WA
Program Specialist - Public Health Preparedness and Resiliency
Whatcom County, WA - Pasco, Washington, us, 99302
Work at Whatcom County, WA
Overview
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Overview
Salary:
$34.27 - $49.29 Hourly Location :
Whatcom County Job Type:
Full-Time Job Number:
P480 *302 0625 Department:
Health Department Division:
Administration Opening Date:
07/25/2025 Closing Date:
8/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Summary is seeking a public health professional to fill the position of
Program Specialist for Public Health Preparedness and Resiliency
in the Community & Organizational Development division. This position will co-lead department and county-wide efforts to prepare and build community resilience for public health emergencies, as well as be a key leader in responding to public-health related emergencies such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and large-scale accidents. Primary efforts of the public health preparedness and resiliency position will be to manage the Department's Emergency Response Plan; participate in cross-division and multi-agency preparedness efforts; act as a subject matter expert on emergency preparedness and resiliency; and activate and mobilize public health response teams and resources in an emergency. Essential Job Duties
The Public Health Preparedness and Resiliency Program Specialist will work with department, County, local and regional partners to: Plan, develop, implement and evaluate health-related emergency response projects and programs; as well as coordinate health-related emergency preparedness activities with other departments, agencies, and entities within the region and the state. Review, test, evaluate, update and maintain the Whatcom County Health & Community Services Emergency Response Plan and other emergency response planning documents. Oversee the department's Incident Management Team (IMT). Design, coordinate and conduct community-wide training exercises and other activities with IMT, local, tribal, state and federal agencies, local healthcare providers and private industry to ensure unified plans and responses to public health emergencies. Coordinate local, state, federal, private and volunteer resources to support emergency preparedness and operations in the event of a public health emergency. May serve as Local Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and/or the Whatcom County Health & Community Services Emergency Response Coordinator during emergency events, as assigned. Oversee the department's employee safety team, and serve as the department representative on the County's Safety Committee. Maintain situational awareness of emerging public health threats including communicable diseases and environmental hazards. Complete after-action reports after the conclusion of an emergency activation. Represent Whatcom County Health & Community Services at local, regional and state Emergency Planning meetings, as assigned. Supervisor:
Partnerships & Strategy Supervisor
Hours of work:
40 hours per week, Monday - Friday
For more information, please review: Salary Range:
$34.27 - $49.29 per hour ()
Hiring rate depends on qualifications.
We are required by State Law to list the full salary range. Hiring rate typically is limited to entry to mid of the posted salary range, subject to required approvals. As a public entity and in a union-covered position, we are required to make pay decisions based on experience, qualifications, and equity with other employees.
This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any negotiated Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, public health administration, emergency management / planning, or related field AND four years of professional work experience in emergency preparedness and response. Requires knowledge of the National Incident Management System, Incident Command System, and emergency response exercise design and implementation. At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein. Distinguish yourself in public service and make a commitment to our future.
is truly special and a great place to call
home
! Supplemental Information Whatcom County offers at
no cost
to employees, including:
Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees
AND
their family Generous paid leave provisions, including vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays per year Eligibility for a lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees Option to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for annual health care and/or dependent care expenses Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance (EAP) Additional Whatcom County offers at
no cost
to employees, including:
Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees
AND
their family Generous paid leave provisions, including vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays per year Eligibility for a lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees Option to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for annual health care and/or dependent care expenses Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance (EAP) Additional
01
Do you have a Bachelor's (or higher) in Public Health, Emergency Management, Public Administration or related field?
Yes No
02
Do you have at least 4 years of professional work experience in emergency preparedness and response?
Yes No
03
Describe your professional work experience in public health emergency preparedness and response. 04
Please select all FEMA trainings that you have completed
ICS 100 ICS 200 ICS 300 ICS 400 ICS 700 ICS 800 Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA) None of the above
05
Describe your experience writing preparedness and response plans. 06
Describe your experience teaching or training. Required Question
$34.27 - $49.29 Hourly Location :
Whatcom County Job Type:
Full-Time Job Number:
P480 *302 0625 Department:
Health Department Division:
Administration Opening Date:
07/25/2025 Closing Date:
8/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Summary is seeking a public health professional to fill the position of
Program Specialist for Public Health Preparedness and Resiliency
in the Community & Organizational Development division. This position will co-lead department and county-wide efforts to prepare and build community resilience for public health emergencies, as well as be a key leader in responding to public-health related emergencies such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and large-scale accidents. Primary efforts of the public health preparedness and resiliency position will be to manage the Department's Emergency Response Plan; participate in cross-division and multi-agency preparedness efforts; act as a subject matter expert on emergency preparedness and resiliency; and activate and mobilize public health response teams and resources in an emergency. Essential Job Duties
The Public Health Preparedness and Resiliency Program Specialist will work with department, County, local and regional partners to: Plan, develop, implement and evaluate health-related emergency response projects and programs; as well as coordinate health-related emergency preparedness activities with other departments, agencies, and entities within the region and the state. Review, test, evaluate, update and maintain the Whatcom County Health & Community Services Emergency Response Plan and other emergency response planning documents. Oversee the department's Incident Management Team (IMT). Design, coordinate and conduct community-wide training exercises and other activities with IMT, local, tribal, state and federal agencies, local healthcare providers and private industry to ensure unified plans and responses to public health emergencies. Coordinate local, state, federal, private and volunteer resources to support emergency preparedness and operations in the event of a public health emergency. May serve as Local Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and/or the Whatcom County Health & Community Services Emergency Response Coordinator during emergency events, as assigned. Oversee the department's employee safety team, and serve as the department representative on the County's Safety Committee. Maintain situational awareness of emerging public health threats including communicable diseases and environmental hazards. Complete after-action reports after the conclusion of an emergency activation. Represent Whatcom County Health & Community Services at local, regional and state Emergency Planning meetings, as assigned. Supervisor:
Partnerships & Strategy Supervisor
Hours of work:
40 hours per week, Monday - Friday
For more information, please review: Salary Range:
$34.27 - $49.29 per hour ()
Hiring rate depends on qualifications.
We are required by State Law to list the full salary range. Hiring rate typically is limited to entry to mid of the posted salary range, subject to required approvals. As a public entity and in a union-covered position, we are required to make pay decisions based on experience, qualifications, and equity with other employees.
This position receives annual pay increases to the next step in the associated salary range (apx. 3.8%) subject to satisfactory performance, in addition to any negotiated Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, public health administration, emergency management / planning, or related field AND four years of professional work experience in emergency preparedness and response. Requires knowledge of the National Incident Management System, Incident Command System, and emergency response exercise design and implementation. At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein. Distinguish yourself in public service and make a commitment to our future.
is truly special and a great place to call
home
! Supplemental Information Whatcom County offers at
no cost
to employees, including:
Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees
AND
their family Generous paid leave provisions, including vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays per year Eligibility for a lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees Option to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for annual health care and/or dependent care expenses Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance (EAP) Additional Whatcom County offers at
no cost
to employees, including:
Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees
AND
their family Generous paid leave provisions, including vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays per year Eligibility for a lifetime pension through the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), with joint contributions required from the employee and the County $50,000 Life Insurance coverage for employees Option to invest in a 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available for annual health care and/or dependent care expenses Voluntary Term Life Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance (EAP) Additional
01
Do you have a Bachelor's (or higher) in Public Health, Emergency Management, Public Administration or related field?
Yes No
02
Do you have at least 4 years of professional work experience in emergency preparedness and response?
Yes No
03
Describe your professional work experience in public health emergency preparedness and response. 04
Please select all FEMA trainings that you have completed
ICS 100 ICS 200 ICS 300 ICS 400 ICS 700 ICS 800 Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA) None of the above
05
Describe your experience writing preparedness and response plans. 06
Describe your experience teaching or training. Required Question