Public Health Specialist III - Limited Service

at State of Vermont in Brattleboro, Vermont, United States

Job Description

The role of the Brattleboro District Office's Emergency Preparedness Public Health Specialist is to increase local capacity to effectively plan and respond to public health emergency events in Windham and Bennington Counties. The person selected for this position will work with internal and external partners to create a strong regional emergency preparedness and response system for public health. Specific responsibilities include leading local health office staff's ongoing skill development in emergency preparedness/response and working with hospitals to plan exercises and improve systems for emergency response.  A significant responsibility of the position involves supporting the actions and sustainability of two Medical Reserve Corps volunteer groups in Southeastern and Southwestern Vermont. The position will also work with partners during non-emergency periods to promote resiliency of systems, communities, and individuals to better enable them to respond during an emergency. The schedule for this position allows for up to two days per week of teleworking, involves some evening and weekend activities, and occasional travel to meetings in other parts of the state as needed.

As part of the Vermont Department of Health, the Brattleboro District Office is one of 12 local health offices in Vermont.  This position is hosted by the Brattleboro Office but serves a wide geographic area that encompasses two southern rural Districts (Brattleboro and Bennington). We strive to offer a supportive, professionally challenging, and healthy workplace to our employees. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Group facilitation, training, and communication skills.
• Project management skills, including attentiveness to detail and task follow-through.
• Ability to establish and maintain community and stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to interpret state-level programmatic guidance into local level action that meets the needs of the local health office and community.
• Ability to implement population level public health interventions in a culturally competent way.
• Knowledge or ability to learn Incident Command Structure and its application in emergency situations.
• Skill at working with volunteers.
• Ability to prioritize projects and meet deadlines.
• Problem solving through innovative thinking.

The Division of Local Health works to preserve and improve the equitable social, economic, and environmental conditions necessary to attain the highest level of health and well-being for all, thus ensuring healthy Vermonters. The Division of Local Health is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment that respects and celebrates every person's strength, assets, and values. The Division of Local Health is committed to leading organizational change efforts that address avoidable inequities and injustices as we work towards the elimination of health and health care disparities.  

TELEWORK 
State of Vermont telework policy requires at least three days a week working in the office. The Department of Health supports a hybrid work environment which combines both in person and remote work.  Upon hire, employees work with their supervisor to create a schedule that aligns with the business needs of the unit and complies with State of Vermont policy. We believe a hybrid work environment promotes autonomy and allows for increased flexibility and greater work/life balance. 
 

MISSION - Promote the physical, mental, and social well-being of people in Vermont by advancing equity, protecting against disease and injury, and preparing for health emergencies. 

VISION - All people and communities in Vermont have equitable opportunities to achieve their highest level of health and well-being.    

VALUES 

• Equity: We aim to center health justice and address racism and all forms of oppression in our programs and policies, our approach to collaboration, and how we build and nurture our workforce.      
• Collaboration: We engage with staff and partners to understand complex problems and design responsive solutions.  
• Inclusion: We support a culture of belonging and diversity where people are valued, trusted, and able to be their authentic selves.  
• Harmony: We endorse a balanced, thoughtful, and intentional work environment that allows employees to care for themselves, their families, and the people they serve. 
• Data: We strive for scientific excellence and cultural responsiveness in the collection, analysis, sharing and use of data.
• Environmental Factors

  Duties are performed in both a standard office and field settings. Private means of transportation must be available for required travel. Stress may be anticipated in dealing with emotional situations involving application of programs, especially in dealing with families and in the allocation of program resources.