Jurisdictional Coordinator- Philadelphia

BioWatch Jurisdictional Coordinator ? Pennsylvania Department of Health - Philadelphia

 

POSITION INFORMATION:

 

This position provides overall coordination for all aspects of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area Biowatch program, and all jurisdictions and agencies that participate in its implementation and response planning.   The coordinator will provide daily coordination for active Biowatch sites, filter collection activities, laboratory transportation and laboratory testing.  This individual will serve as a liaison to the agencies that serve or support these functions, including Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology and Bureau of Laboratories, Philadelphia Department of Public Health Air Management Services and Public Health Laboratory, and New Jersey and Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection.  This position will also be responsible for updating the Biowatch response plan, and if necessary, ensuring its successful implementation.  As such, this individual will coordinate the planning and activities of appropriate epidemiology units in the public health agencies within the multi-state Philadelphia Biowatch project area, and coordinate the Biowatch Advisory Committee. This individual will also serve as a liaison to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its designated sub-contractors for emergency response, and ensure that appropriate plans are in place for sampling and response.

The Coordinator will provides BioWatch Program communications, planning, management, and consultation to appropriate local and state staff as well as federal staff, including laboratorians, epidemiologists, air quality technicians, and communicable disease and environmental health programs. Serves as primary local liaison to the Department of Homeland Security for BioWatch planning, portal and training activities.  Serves as primary liaison between the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Philadelphia Health Department.  This position will report to the State Epidemiologist and Director, Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, and to the Program Manager of Bioterrorism and Public Health Emergency Preparedness and DDC director.

This position is stationed in the Division of Disease Control (DCC) at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

 

Provides epidemiological support for the BioWatch Program preparedness and training activities in the Commonwealth of PA by assisting in the development of plans, policies and procedures related to the preparedness and response efforts for the BioWatch program. Review, develops and recommend revisions to the PA-NJ BioWatch Response Plan, as necessary. Review, evaluates and makes recommendations to plans related to environmental sampling; data analysis, and epidemiological interventions. Provides consultation to the PADOH and the PDPH investigators on BioWatch Program methodology and design; advises technical staff responsible for field and statistical aspects of the BioWatch Program; assist in the review and monitoring of BioWatch reports, statistics, demographic information and the results of laboratory tests to identify possible epidemiologic trends, locations and sources; and serves as the lead local user for 1st level support and training of appropriate local and state staff in use of the BioWatch Portal. Reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations concerning the epidemiology and other training needs of coworkers, and field personnel related to the BioWatch Program. Writes and prepares articles for lay publications and peer-reviewed journals. Delivers BioWatch-related educational presentations to selected audiences. Performs other related duties as needed. This is a designated essential position.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

 

A Master's degree from an accredited university in public health or related fields such as epidemiology, environmental health or science, or industrial hygiene followed by at least two years' experience working in a local, state or federal public health or emergency management setting ?OR- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a major in epidemiology, environmental health or science, public health or industrial hygiene followed by at least five years' experience in study design and conduct and interpretation of resulting data, and two years of management responsibility in public health program management.  Must be able to obtain a  SECRET Security Clearance as issued by the United States Government. 

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Candidates meeting the minimum requirements above and possessing some or all of the experiences below will be given preference:Epidemiology experience, including designing or conducting environmental and epidemiologic studies and assessments, as well as data collection and reporting.Demonstrated experience in public health, medical informatics, or biostatistics.Knowledge of microbiology, virology and/or other laboratory diagnostic techniques and equipment. Experience in computer methods to generate, organize and display complex statistical and other data.Strong oral and written communication skills, including teaching and/or professional presentations.Experience with various modeling applications, such as plume modeling or related tools.Experience with bioterrorism preparedness planning and/or program implementation.Demonstrated success working with public health officials at the local, state and or federal levels. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

 

This position reports directly to the Director of the Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bureau of Epidemiology, Pennsylvania Department of Health and to the Program Manager of Bioterrorism and Public Health Emergency Preparedness. The supervisor defines assignment objectives, priorities, and deadlines.  The coordinator independently plans and carries out assignments, and resolves problems in accordance with accepted practices.  Completed work is reviewed for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformance with policy and objectives. 

 

This position is stationed in the Division of Disease Control (DCC) at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS

 

The work requires no special physical demands.  It may involve some walking, standing, bending, or carrying of light items.

 WORK ENVIROMNENT

 

The work is performed in an office setting. The work location is an office setting located with the Philadelphia Health Department.

 

SALARY & BENEFITS



 

The salary for this position ranges from $67,000 to $79,000 annually.  Also included is a full compliment of benefits including paid vacation, medical, dental, vision and life insurance.

 

TO REPLY TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT



 

Please apply online by July 21, 2006.