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Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Coordinator #OC-5190-2771

Date Opened
Monday, August 10, 2026 8:30 AM
Close Date
Open until sufficient apps are received
Section
Health Department
Salary
  • $72,000
Employment Type
  • Full-Time
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Introduction

OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR:  PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE COORDINATOR


FRINGE BENEFITS:  Choose from available health insurance plans (employee contributions vary) Prescription Drug Rider, Dental Plan, Group Life Insurance for Individual, Retirement Plan, paid holidays, paid vacation; paid sick days and paid personal days.

IMPORTANT:
1. Veterans – Veteran’s points will be awarded in accordance with the Connecticut State Statute. Five (5) for non-disabled veterans, ten (10) for disabled veterans. Proper documentation must be submitted to the Personnel Director before the date of the examination.

2. Residents – Residency points shall be added in accordance with the amendment to the Civil Service Ordinances dated March 18, 2011. Proper documentation and proof of residence must be submitted no later than the closing date for applications.
 

3. Appeal Process - an applicant may appeal notice of not meeting the minimum qualifications (Civil Service Rules and Regulations, Section 3741, Subsection B, Article 9) to the Civil Service Commission within seven (7) days of the date on such notice.  Please notify the Civil Service Office of a change in address.  Notification will be mailed to the address written on your application.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Under the direction of the Director of Clinical Services and/or the Director of Environmental Health, this position assures the Waterbury Health Department’s (WHD) preparedness for natural and man-made emergencies. Responsibilities include but are not limited to carrying out the deliverables of public health emergency preparedness grants, developing WHD response plans, leading tabletop and in-person drills and simulations, recruiting and training volunteers from the community for emergency response (Medical Reserve Corps or Community Emergency Response Teams), and leading the response to local public health emergencies in concert with other city departments and the City of Waterbury Emergency Management Director. This position is responsible for maintenance and refinement of all reporting required by the Emergency Support Functions infrastructure and participation in regional disaster response efforts. This includes assisting in the development and execution of regional drills, exercises and planning events as directed by the Region 5 Preparedness Coordinator in support of Region 5 Public Health Preparedness grant deliverables

EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Update and continually develop public health emergency response plans for the Waterbury Department of Public Health.
• Assist with recruitment and coordination of lay and medical volunteers to assist with local and regional response to public health emergencies and particularly the implementation of mass vaccination clinics, mass dispensary events, and mass casualty response efforts.
• Maintain an electronic database of all volunteers and staff with contact information, credentials, assigned job roles, and other pertinent data.
• Maintain an electronically-accessible list of emergency response personnel, organizational charts describing lines of communication, and chains of command for incident command response and mobilization for the City of Waterbury in Region 5, for the Public Health Preparedness Program grant.
• Develop, maintain and implement a training plan for staff and relevant volunteers. Assure Waterbury Health Department staff are up-to-date on trainings required to maintain readiness for mobilization in response to a public health emergency. Maintain a database of staff training certifications and training renewal dates.
• Maintain a rapid and secure communications system to summon volunteers and mobilize Waterbury Health Department employees to respond to public health emergencies in a timely fashion.
• Coordinate with staff in other divisions at the health department and partner departments in the city to enhance and maintain a local health alert network to communicate with key municipal and community groups on issues involving the protection of public health and provide timely, ongoing communication to pertinent Waterbury Health Department leadership and staff on preparedness and related issues.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of mutual aid agreements and contracts that will assure a coordinated and adequate response to public health emergencies.
• Plan, coordinate, participate in and assist with drills of local, regional and state public health emergency response plans and actions.
• Participate in federal, state and regional public health preparedness and emergency response planning meetings and trainings as directed.
• Develop written communications and resources for the public, the media, and policy makers on issues of public health emergency preparedness, response and bioterrorism.
• Contribute to the maintenance of the Waterbury Health Department webpage and social media presence on emergency preparedness, response and maintenance activities.
• Apply for additional funding to support and expand emergency preparedness and response- related programming.
• Prepare grant progress and other reports as directed.
• Assist with actual response to local and regional public health emergencies, including assuming command of re-purposed staff from other sections/units within WHD or other departments, including during and beyond standard hours of operation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the scope of public health preparedness.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of public health system and interaction of medical systems, local community-based health services, and emergency response sectors.
• Strong oral, interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Training and experience in risk communication skills.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Microsoft 365 tools such as Teams, Forms, and Power Automate. Experience with website management a plus.
• Familiarity with operation of emergency communications equipment.
• Ability to organize and facilitate groups and work collaboratively with diverse organizations.
• Knowledge of public health emergency response planning models and ability to develop and enhance plans. Ability to develop and conduct training programs, including familiarity with train-the-trainer models of community-based health education.
• Willingness to follow the chain of command, take direction and work independently. 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION YOU MUST INDICATE ON YOUR APPLICATION THAT AS OF THE CLOSING DATE YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: 

A.REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in a health science, public health, emergency management, public administration, health education, communications, organizational management or related field. Master’s degree preferred. Professional experience in a public health agency or in an emergency preparedness and response capacity with another public or private organization. Experience responding to a public health emergency or other crisis management experience desirable. Qualified candidates will be familiar with the Incident Command and Management Structure outlined by the CDC and FEMA.

B. CREDENTIALS: Possession of a current Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator’s License with access to a motor vehicle and current motor vehicle insurance coverage.

C. LICENSURES, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Certified Health Communications Specialist Certification preferred (CHES® - Certified Health Education Specialist Exam | NCHEC). Certified in Public Health (CPH), or Certification as a Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) are desirable but not required.
Attainment within one year of hire and maintenance of required certifications shall be a requirement for the employee to remain in this classification, including (see Emergency Management Institute - National Incident Management System (NIMS) (fema.gov)):
o ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
o ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
o ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
o ICS-400: Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff
o IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction
o IS-701: NIMS Multiagency Coordination System (MACS)
o IS-702: NIMS Publication Information Systems
o IS-703: NIMS Resource Management
o IS-706: NIMS Intrastate Mutual Aid – An Introduction
o IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
o G-191: Incident Command System/ Emergency Operations Center Interface
o G-402 Incident Command System (ICS) Overview for Executives/Senior Officials
o E/L/G-2300 Intermediate Emergency Operations Center Functions

COPIES OF APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS 
MUST BE SUBMITTED AT TIME OF APPLICATION:
REQUIRED: BACHELOR’S DEGREE 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
This is a durational position funded by the General Fund. The Public Health Preparedness and Response Coordinator may be required to perform occasional lifting of equipment and materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Duties may require climbing up and down stairs, significant sitting, standing, and walking, sometimes on uneven surfaces. Work outdoors in inclement weather, in the dark or in extreme temperatures may be required during emergencies. Work requires the use of computer software including Microsoft Office Suite, database management, use of electronic inventory management systems including hand scanners, ability to mount a large-scale response event in a short amount of time and ability to work closely with community members in a collaborative approach to gain trust and buy-in. During a state of an emergency, this position may be required to respond to calls and emails, report to the department, take after-hours on-call coverage, and work longer shifts, nights, and weekends to meet operational needs of the Department as determined by the Director of Health.


Working Conditions, Physical and Mental Requirements

Employees appointed to positions in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties of the class. A physical examination may be required.

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job responsibilities and duties performed by personnel so classified.

 

NEVER (N)

OCCASIONAL LY (O)

FREQUENTLY (F)

CONSTANTLY (C)

 

0 % of Shift

1-33% of Shift

34-66% of Shift

67-100% of Shift

 

Working Conditions

N

O

F

C

Working Conditions

N

O

F

C

 

Physical Demands

 

 

 

 

Depth Perception

 

 

 

x

 

Standing

 

 

 

x

Color Distinction

 

 

 

x

 

Walking

 

 

 

x

Peripheral Vision

 

 

 

x

 

Sitting

 

 

 

x

Driving

 

 

x

 

 

Lifting

 

 

x

 

Physical Strength:

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

x

 

Little Physical Effort (- 10 lbs.)

 

 

 

x

 

Pushing

 

 

x

 

Light Work (-20 lbs.)

 

 

x

 

 

Pulling

 

 

x

 

Medium   Work    (20-50 lbs.)

 

 

x

 

 

Climbing

 

 

x

 

Heavy    Work    (50-100 lbs.)

 

x

 

 

 

Balancing

 

 

x

 

Very Heavy Work (100+

lbs.)

 

x

 

 

 

Stooping

 

 

x

 

Environmental Conditions

 

 

 

 

 

Kneeling

 

x

 

 

Cold (50 degrees F or

less)

 

x

 

 

 

 

Crouching

 

x

 

 

Heat (90 degrees F or more)

 

x

 

 

 

Crawling

 

x

 

 

Temperature Changes

 

x

 

 

 

Reaching

 

x

 

 

Wetness

 

x

 

 

 

Handling

 

 

x

 

Humidity

 

x

 

 

 

Grasping

 

 

x

 

Extreme       Noise       or Vibration

 

x

 

 

 

Twisting

 

 

x

 

Exposure to Chemicals

 

x

 

 

 

Feeling

 

 

x

 

Exposure to Gases and Fumes

 

x

 

 

 

Talking

 

 

 

x

Exposure to Unpleasant Odors

 

x

 

 

 

Hearing

 

 

 

x

Exposure to bodily fluids

 

x

 

 

 

Repetitive Motion

 

 

 

x

Exposure to dampness

 

x

 

 

 

Hand/Eye/Foot Coordination

 

 

 

x

Confinement to Small or Restricting Area

 

x

 

 

 

Visual Acuity/Near

 

 

 

x

Mechanical Hazards

 

x

 

 

 

Visual Acuity/Far

 

 

 

x

Physical danger or abuse

 

x

 

 

 


SPECIAL NOTE

This position is covered under the written agreement between the City of Waterbury and the Waterbury Municipal Administrator Association Union.  The Parts and Weights for this examination will be determined prior to conducting the exam.  Individuals appointed shall be required to serve a working test period which will be, in effect, the final phase of the examination.  Appeal Process- An applicant may appeal notice of not meeting the minimum qualifications (Civil Service Rules and Regulations, Section 3741, Subsection B, Article 9) to the Civil Service Commission within seven (7) days of the date on such notice.  Please notify the Civil Service Office of a change in address. Notification will be mailed to the address written on your application.

THE CITY OF WATERBURY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYEE
E.O.E. M/F/D/V
EEOP Utilization Report available upon request
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   


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