Public Health Preparedness Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $29.04 - $29.76 Hourly
Location : Public Health: 515 5th Ave., Council Bluffs, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-098
Department: Public Health
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 11:59 PM Central
ANNOUNCEMENT & PURPOSE OF POSITION
Are you passionate about protecting communities and ensuring readiness in the face of public health emergencies? Join Pottawattamie County Public Health as a Preparedness Coordinator where you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring our community is prepared to face natural or man-made incidents that threaten the public.
Under general direction of the Epidemiologist, an individual in this position will plan, prepare for and respond to public health emergencies in the following ways:

• Develop, maintain and implement Pottawattamie County Public Health emergency preparedness and response plans
• Monitor population health for injury and disease patterns and potential disease outbreaks
• Monitor for changes in public health threats or local, state, or federal guidelines
• Assess public health preparedness needs including "at-risk" or "special needs" populations
• Educate on public health preparedness
• Coordinate trainings and drills to test and improve the efficiency of emergency response plans
• Maintain a database of resources, including personnel, equipment, and supplies for public health emergencies
• Evaluate the effectiveness of emergency response activities and recommend necessary improvements.
• Collaborate with preparedness coalitions and community, partner and response organizations.

This is a grant funded position. In the event that funding is not available to support this position, the employee will receive a thirty (30) day notice of reduced hours or position termination.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
May attend and assist with meetings of the Board of Health and Board of Supervisors.
Assess the need for, develop, and implement written policies and procedures for public health emergency preparedness.
Evaluate and maintain Pottawattamie County Public Health emergency preparedness and response plans.
Participate in the design of exercises to test the efficiency of public health emergency preparedness plans.
Facilitate the delivery of preparedness training programs for health department staff.
Coordinate public health activities concerning suspected acts of bioterrorism including chemical, biological, radiological, and events involving explosive devices, as well as natural or other disasters.
Assist in the investigation and enhanced surveillance for new threats or cases of diseases that may threaten the public's health and safety.
Maintain preparedness supply and equipment inventory and accountability.
Assist in the development of grant proposals, reports and budgets within scope of oversight.
Collaborate with emergency response personnel and organizations to include hospitals, care facilities, medical providers, law enforcement, fire departments, emergency management agencies, pharmacists, veterinarians, coroners, educational institutions, and community-based organizations on preparedness activities.
Assist with public health surveillance activities.
Maintains safe and secure use and storage of county equipment and vehicle. Ensure general vehicle preventive maintenance is performed.
Attend national, state and local conferences and workshops.
Perform other duties as directed or as the situation dictates.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY
Ability to establish and maintain a professional and effective working relationship with the public, supervisors, fellow employees, contract staff, outside agencies and organizations, government officials and other County departments.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of all departmental and client communications, documents and correspondence.
Ability to work independently, prioritize work, meet deadlines and make decisions using independent judgment.
Ability to effectively and tactfully handle and process complaints in a professional manner.
Ability to tactfully coordinate activities with partner organizations to protect target populations.
Knowledge of and ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to personal computer, copier/printer.
General knowledge of Federal, State and local health policies and programs, and the laws on which they are based. General knowledge of the incident command system and the ability to function within it.
General knowledge of epidemiological methods, principles and practices including investigation and surveillance methods. Knowledge of program evaluation and quality improvement methods and the ability to identify surveillance data needs.
General knowledge of potential dangers and preventative measures related to contamination from disasters, sabotage, or terrorism.
Ability to diagnose a variety of common illnesses and injuries.
ESSENTIAL EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND/OR LICENSES
Bachelor's degree in Emergency Services, Public Health or related field AND experience with public health emergency planning or response. Two (2) years of experience with emergency management planning, research, analysis, community services or emergency services preferred.
Must possess a valid driver's license at the time of hire and shall maintain it throughout the course of employment.
Possession of CPR, BLS and Iowa HHS Child and Adult Abuse certifications upon hire.
Obtain Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800 training, FEMA IS-2200, Iowa HHS epidemiology training, bloodborne pathogen training, and respirator fit test within 6 months of hire.
Certifications shall be maintained throughout the course of the employment.
Pottawattamie County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health and well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits can vary depending on collective bargaining agreements. Pottawattamie County's competitive benefit package includes:

• Health, Dental, Life & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Vision Plan
• Iowa Public Employee's Retirement System (IPERS)
• Paid vacation days
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Worker's Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program