Plans, Training and Exercise Specialist

ABOUT CDPHE: 

At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, we are charged with protecting Colorado’s health and environment – a responsibility that affects every person and every community in the state. CDPHE is distinctive because we bring public health and environmental protection together under one agency, recognizing that healthy people depend on healthy places. Our teams prevent diseases and injury, respond to emergencies ranging from E.coli outbreaks to global pandemics, reduce air pollution, protect water quality, regulate health facilities, manage environmental hazards, perform advanced laboratory testing, provide birth and death records, and implement health promoting programs. We turn science and data into action, set statewide standards, and work alongside local public health agencies and community partners to meet Colorado’s most pressing health and environmental challenges. Working at CDPHE means applying your expertise to complex, consequential work that can improve lives across the state. 

Our mission captures this broad portfolio of work: to advance Colorado’s health and protect the places we live, learn, work, and play. Our vision is a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations can thrive. Achieving the mission and vision takes bold action, talented people, broad partnerships, and a commitment to serving every Coloradan.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Hybrid work options may be available at the supervisor’s discretion and based on business needs. The position will be based at 4300 Cherry Creek S Dr, Denver, CO 80246, USA.

CDPHE Offers: 

CDPHE offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to build a meaningful career in public service. Benefits include:

• Medical and dental plans.

• Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan. 

• Optional 401(K) and 457 retirement plans. 

• Employer-paid life insurance.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Potential flexible working arrangements

• 11 paid holidays per year and generous paid time off.

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.

• Tuition assistance. 

• Employee wellness programs.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Career opportunities throughout Colorado state government. 

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 

The Work Unit:

The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR) coordinates and leads the statewide public health and medical emergency response system, including 56 local public agencies, 9 healthcare coalitions, and with critical system partners such as the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and other state agencies, the health care system, and law enforcement. The Office develops and implements emergency response plans to fulfill the State’s Emergency Support Function #8: (Public Health, Medical, Behavioral Health and Mortuary), working collaboratively with critical system partners. The Office coordinates and implements activities under federal emergency preparedness and response grants and manages grant programs for local public health agencies and other systems partners. The Office assures relevant training, education and exercises occur, in accordance with the National Incident Management System, and regularly evaluates the system for effectiveness, incorporating improvements. 

The Office ensures effective and redundant communication systems and connectivity within the public health emergency response system, and assures the effective distribution of critical situational awareness. The Office assesses the state’s ability to respond to health and medical emergency events; is responsible for the rapid receipt, storage and distribution of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS); and plans and coordinates the administration of medication, prophylaxis and vaccines in mass quantities during epidemics, pandemics and mass casualty events. The Office is responsible for activating and managing the Department’s Emergency Operations Center (DOC) during a public health event, and coordinating response with internal divisions and programs needed for response.

What You will Do:

This position is responsible for coordinating health care and public health emergency preparedness and response training and exercises in the state of Colorado. The position designs and implements strategies and processes to support the statewide federally mandated training and exercise requirements for the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP) and any associated projects and contracts including but not limited to the Healthcare Coalitions, Colorado Hospital Association, the Colorado Community Health Network, and Local Public Health Departments. 

This position assures collaboration and advisement across federal, state, and local agencies and other partners on best practices, policies, templates, protocols, standard operating procedures, and training and exercise materials required to successfully complete the activities required by the Hospital Preparedness Program and Public Health Preparedness Program grants and to improve the statewide health care and public health response/recovery capability and capacity. This position provides technical assistance, consultation, and training and exercise on a statewide basis for the purpose of enhancing healthcare workforce development in the field of emergency preparedness and response.

Key Responsibilities:

• Training & Exercise Coordination
• Plans, Training and Exercise Outreach and Support
• Response Duties as Assigned

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 

Class Code & Classification Description:

H4I3XX Training Specialist III

Minimum Qualifications:

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

**You must substantiate that you meet the minimum qualifications when filling out the Work Experience section of the application. Failure to do so will result in the application not moving forward in the hiring process.  “See resume” will not be accepted. Resumes are considered supplemental information and are not considered in the initial evaluation.  In addition, part-time work will be prorated when determining whether minimum qualifications are met.**

Experience Only:

Six (6) years of relevant experience in coordinating training or exercise programs/projects in Public Health, Healthcare, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Homeland Security, or Emergency Management.

Or

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in Public Health, Emergency Preparedness, Behavioral Sciences and/or relevant experience in coordinating training or exercise programs/projects in Public Health, Healthcare, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Homeland Security, or Emergency Management equal to six (6) years

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:  

• Relevant experience with the State of Colorado.

• Working knowledge of local and regional partnering agencies for Public Health, Medical Operations, Emergency Management and Emergency Preparedness in Colorado.

• Demonstrated experience utilizing contemporary technology to develop emergency preparedness trainings, drills and exercises.

• Demonstrated experience using effective teaching methodologies and tools.

• Demonstrated experience with public speaking, group facilitation and engagement.

• Demonstrated experience of public health preparedness planning.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating trainings, drills and exercises.

• Demonstrated experience researching and developing training content and technical materials used in support of trainings, drills and exercises.

• Demonstrated experience building  relationships across different groups.

• Working knowledge of Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP).

• Experience developing and supporting online learning courses and webinars.

• Experience providing communication to both internal and external stakeholders

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

• Critical Status: This is a critical position and can be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations.

• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

• TRAVEL: This position will travel 1-2 weeks/year for education and technical assistance support for emergency systems to local and regional hospital preparedness and public health preparedness partners. This travel is to Hospitals, LPHAs, HCCs, Conferences and some overnights may be required.

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.

• A Cover Letter: Please explain how you meet or exceed the minimum and preferred qualifications.

• A Resume.

• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: 

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [email protected] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.