Director, Emergency Preparedness & Response - Health Community Services Division Director

About the role

This position exists as part of the senior management team to direct complex emergency preparedness, response and recovery, and business continuity activities for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in order to strengthen public health and health care system readiness, response, and recovery capacity and capability in coordination with programs and activities of other preparedness and response partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative leadership to the division, including establishing and upholding priorities and practices to ensure the division is operating effectively and meeting the needs of the department.
• Provide vision, direction, and leadership for statewide planning and implementation of the emergency preparedness activities for the Minnesota Department of Health, the local public health system, tribal governments, the health care system, and institutes of higher education so that the health aspects of disasters are defined and effective response and recovery measures are developed.
• Develop, implement and evaluate emergency preparedness program activities, monitor performance, and administer the program so that programs are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• Cook regularly assess and monitor emergency preparedness and emergency response evaluation system in order to demonstrate preparedness strengths and areas needing attention for a wide range of emergencies.
• Ensure a coordinated and integrated public health and health care response to emergencies, including those in which MDH is the lead agency and for those in which MDH plays a supporting role so that response efforts can be rapidly deployed and can readily focus on effective strategies.
• Direct the development and preparation of the biennial budget for the division and project future program needs and administer annual division spending plans and state or federal funds so that fiscal resources are appropriately allocated and managed.
• Serve as the agency representative at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during public health emergencies.

Requirements

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates that beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

• Five (5) years of public health experience or directing complex emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities.
• Providing supervisory or managerial level leadership overseeing one or more major health program area.
• Developing and managing budgets that include complex state and federal funding sources.
• Communicating and planning with national public health organizations, as well as with state local public health, Tribal, and healthcare organizations.
• Working with legislators and the Governor's Office, as well as with legal, communications, labor, and human resources teams within an organization.
• Working with state and federal associations and organizations leading local and tribal public health emergency preparedness and response and health care emergency preparedness.

Qualifications

• A degree in public health, public administration, emergency preparedness or other closely related field may substitute for experience as follows: Doctorate = 24 monthsMaster's = 18 monthsBachelor's =12 monthsAssociate's = 6 months
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Demonstrated analytical, project management, change management and problem-solving skills sufficient to evaluate complex issues and implement effective solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and act quickly and effectively during a crisis, including leading teams during a crisis.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, regulated entities, media, and legislators.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills sufficient to respond to inquiries and clearly explain or defend decisions and initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in public health, public administration, emergency preparedness and response or related field.
• Executive management and leadership experience, with accountability for directing a major program area, preferably in public health or health care emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
• Experience leading large teams, including implementing initiatives related to team culture.
• Demonstrated ability to direct development and implementation of a strategic plan.
• Management in government with knowledge of federal and/or state laws, policies, and procedures.
• Experience in the state legislative process.
• Working knowledge of the statutes and laws related to emergency powers and actions.