Emergency Preparedness Educator-Advanced (DOH/PHO #64466)

About the role

This position exists to ensure the New Mexico Department of Health is prepared to prevent, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies in the West Region. The Emergency Preparedness Specialist provides critical leadership in aligning regional planning with state and federal emergency preparedness requirements. The role ensures that communities, hospitals, and health systems have the resources, training, and coordinated plans necessary to respond to emergencies such as pandemics, bio-terrorism events, natural disasters, and mass casualty incidents. By supporting compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and federal preparedness guidelines, this position safeguards the health and safety of New Mexicans and strengthens the resiliency of the region’s public health infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Develop, revise, and maintain regional public health and health system emergency operations plans in alignment with DOH and State All Hazard Emergency Operations Plans.
• Plan, implement, and facilitate training and exercises for staff, health care partners, and community groups.
• Lead and participate in drills and after-action reviews to ensure readiness, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a liaison between DOH and regional partners, including emergency managers, hospitals, first responders, volunteer groups, municipalities, and state/federal agencies.
• Provide technical expertise on public health emergency management and response.
• Support NIMS compliance and ensure integration of federal preparedness requirements at the regional level.
• Assist with continuity of operations planning, medical surge, mass prophylaxis, shelter-in-place, volunteer management, fatality management, and communications interoperability.
• Prepare professional reports, programmatic guidelines, and grant-related documentation.
• Represent the Department of Health in local and regional emergency preparedness coalitions and task forces.
• Ensure the region’s public health offices are up to date and trained on region safety plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health or Education and one (1) year of experience in a health-related field.
• Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling five (5) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.
• Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.

Ideal Candidate

• Experienced in designing, evaluating, and participating in exercises of emergency operations plans and procedures.
• Knowledgeable about federal and state emergency preparedness programs, NIMS, and all-hazard planning requirements.
• Strong in communication and collaboration, with the ability to build trusted relationships with diverse partners including hospitals, community organizations, first responders, and volunteers.
• Technically proficient, with experience in professional writing (e.g., guidelines, reports, grants, or academic publications) and comfort with data, evaluation, and reporting.
• Flexible and resilient, able to adapt quickly during fast-paced, high-pressure situations.
• Mission-driven, with a commitment to protecting the health and safety of New Mexicans through effective preparedness and response planning.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage.
• Some travel may be required. Services are provided in office, auxiliary, and community site settings across the Northwest Region.
• Frequent use of computers, phones, and video display terminals.
• Requires sitting, standing, bending, and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases during emergency or community response activities.
• Regular travel within the region to provide outreach, training, and attend meetings, including occasional overnight stays.
• Position requires availability during emergency activations, which may include extended or irregular hours.

Salary: $24.88 - $37.32 Hourly ($51,755 - $77,633 Annually)