Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Planner
If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.
About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Position Overview:
Under general supervision, the CBRN Planner will be responsible for developing and coordinating public health emergency response plans, resources, and training for CBRN incidents. Individuals in this role will be responsible for managing external partnerships and ensuring the operational readiness of radiological and nuclear equipment.
The CBRN Planner is expected to have Knowledge of emergency response planning, training, and exercise methodologies, with the ability to develop and implement effective preparedness strategies.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Emergency Response Planning: Develops and updates public health emergency response plans, standard operating guides (SOGs), and procedures (SOPs) for CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) incidents in collaboration with local, regional, state, and federal partners.
- Resource Development: Leads the creation of public health CBRN planning resources, including threat response guides, fact sheets, safety protocols, and incident-specific messaging. Develops electronic response systems, hazard vulnerability maps, and educational videos to enhance CBRN emergency readiness.
- External Coordination: Serves as a liaison to local, state, and federal partners, including emergency response agencies, community organizations, and academic institutions, to foster communication, coordination, and collaboration on CBRN events.
- Preparedness Training: Coordinates public health preparedness training and exercises focused on CBRN responses, integrating local, regional, state, and federal resources, such as the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Evaluates and improves existing plans and resources to strengthen readiness.
- Equipment Management: Oversees the maintenance, calibration, and inventory of radiological and nuclear equipment, ensuring operational readiness. Updates equipment use protocols and ensures compliance with safety standards while Tracking and documenting maintenance activities.
- Leadership & Support: Take a lead role in responding to public health emergency events, specifically CBRN incidents, and support all-hazard public health emergency preparedness training and exercises as needed.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public health, emergency management, environmental health and safety, healthcare, toxicology, chemistry, biology, radiology, or a related field of study.
Experience:
- At least two (2) years of experience in public health, emergency management, and response, toxicology, or environmental health and safety.
- Knowledge of MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with the ability to effectively create and manage documents, presentations, and communications.
- Knowledge of emergency response planning, training, and exercise methodologies, with the ability to develop and implement effective preparedness strategies.
- Skill in written and verbal communication, ensuring clarity and professionalism in all forms of correspondence and presentations.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong working relationships to enhance coordination and communication.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, managing multiple tasks and priorities efficiently.
Core Competencies:
Organizational Leadership- Understands the organizational mission.
- Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust.
- Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.
Collaboration
- Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission.
- Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group.
- Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
Innovation
- Ability to adapt to change.
Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics
- Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
- Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner.
- Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses.
- Uses sound judgment.
- Self-motivated.
- Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity.
Communication
- Communicates clearly, effectively, and persuasively both orally and in writing.
Qualifications
- Bilingual in English/Spanish or another language.
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, emergency management, environmental health and safety, healthcare, toxicology, chemistry, biology, radiology, or a related field of study.
Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:
- This is a full-time position.
- Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Other days and hours as necessary.
- May be required to work long and irregular hours, possibly a minimum of 96 hours, including weekends and holidays, in circumstances of a public health or infectious disease emergency or potential for such.
Work Environment:
- This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Response, training, and exercise activities could be outdoors or in a warehouse with various public health response equipment.
Physical Demands:
- This position will require work during stressful emergencies. Must be able to speak in a manner easily understood by the average person. Must be able to perform duties assigned during emergencies competently. The incumbent must be able to lift 30 lbs., walk up two flights of stairs, and work in the field when required.
Work Location:
- 1111 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
Connect with Local, State, and Territorial Health Departments
To find local governmental public health jurisdictions, see - www.naccho.org