Territorywide (STT/STX/STJ)Full TimeExecutive70k+ USDPosted Today
Posting number: 201905285
Department: |Department of Health- STT|
Job classification: Deputy Director Planning & Preparedness
Posting type: Open
Categories: Planning and Development
SummaryDEFINITIONUnder the general direction of a Director or designee, this position assists in overseeing the planning, prevention, detection, protection, response, and recovery activities for territorial emergencies, and coordinates efforts with other agencies.
The Deputy Director Planning & Preparedness is responsible for public health and/or emergency management, working with various stakeholders to ensure readiness for diverse threats and hazards. This includes developing and updating planning frameworks, coordinating multi-agency efforts, and ensuring compliance with federal and territorial rules. The position oversees emergency management activities and logistics across all major islands, supports ESF-8 Health and Medical Lifeline coordination, leads THIRA and SPR submissions, tracks performance metrics, and maintains emergency response and recovery plans. The role also advocates for community needs and participates in homeland security operations.
Work is performed at the pleasure of the Governor, and the incumbent may be assigned by leadership or management to fill roles as needs or shortages arise. This position requires a confidential relationship to a policy maker. Examples of dutiesDUTIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)
Communicates and coordinates emergency management goals, activities, and territorial logistics for preparedness initiatives across the Government of the Virgin Islands, including VITEMA, the Department of Health, and all major islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, and Water Island).
Advocates for the emergency management needs and concerns of the public.
Provides support to the Director, who leads ESF-8 Health and Medical Lifeline coordination with more than 25 partner agencies. Leads the development and implementation of emergency management policy, procedures, and activities.
Leads the development and submission of the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) in accordance with federal requirements.
Monitors and reports on performance metrics to territorial leadership. Oversees development, maintenance, and exercise of emergency response and recovery plans.
Participates in the development and operations of the homeland security concept of operations in collaboration with VITEMA.
Assists with the coordination of emergency management training and education as it relates to preparedness activities.
Serves as an information gathering and dissemination point for emergency management information.
Performs other related duties as required. QualificationsMINIMUM QUALIFICATION
Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Public Health, Business Administration, Homeland Security, or any closely related field, and five (5) years of emergency management or response related work experience, including two (2) in a supervisory capacity.
OR
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Public Health, Health Sciences, Business Administration, Homeland Security, or any closely related field and seven (7) years of emergency management or response related work experience, including one (1) in a supervisory capacity. Supplemental informationFACTOR 1- KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
Knowledge of emergency management frameworks, including NIMS/ICS principles as well as FEMA CPG 101 (emergency operations plan development) and CPG 201 (Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment) methodologies.
Knowledge of the development and reporting requirements for THIRA/SPR under federal preparedness grants.
Knowledge of CDC PHEP and ASPR HPP cooperative agreement requirements. Knowledge of federal grant management, budget execution, and closeout procedures.
Knowledge of public health emergency response systems including medical countermeasures and surge capacity.
Knowledge of healthcare coalition development and sustainability.
Knowledge of logistics functions in the field. Experience with field logistics enhances operational effectiveness.
Knowledge of management principles, organizational and program analysis, and supervisory techniques.
Skill with fiscal control methods.
Skill in computer applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, and Outlook).
Skill in using general office equipment, such as telephones, fax machines, printers, copiers, calculators, and computers.
Ability to assign and instruct staff as well as supervise the performance of their work.
Ability to plan and supervise the review of operating procedures and to provide advice and assistance to managers.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, demonstrating professionalism.
Ability to manage multi-million-dollar federal grant portfolios with competing deadlines and coordinate activities across geographic boundaries in a multi-island territory.
Ability to maintain essential records, prepare reports, and correspondence.
Ability to identify, recognize, analyze, and interpret management problems in the administration or coordination of programs, plans, or projects, developing appropriate policies and procedures to address those challenges.
FACTOR 2- SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
Work is supervised by the Director or designee on all activities. Work is performed independently with minimal supervision to delegate the authority to manage the preparedness division. Job performance will be reviewed annually/semi-annually using a performance appraisal process and forms in accordance with agency standard operating procedures, regulations, and as detailed in the personnel handbook.
FACTOR 3- GUIDELINES
Guidelines include agency operational policies, rules, regulations, standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals, and laws of the Code of the U.S. Virgin Islands, federal grant requirements, including CDC PHEP and ASPR HPP cooperative agreement terms and conditions, FEMA guidance documents (CPG 101, CPG 201), and applicable Office of Management and Budget circulars.
FACTOR 4- COMPLEXITY
Work involves managing the preparedness division, multiple concurrent federal grants, coordinating among diverse stakeholders across a four-island territory, and navigating complex federal and territorial regulatory frameworks. Must balance strategic planning with daily operational demands, respond to emerging threats (natural disasters, disease outbreaks, security incidents), ensuring continuous compliance with evolving federal requirements, and maintaining 24/7 response readiness.
FACTOR 5- SCOPE AND EFFECT
The purpose of the work is to manage all aspects of emergency preparedness, including, but not limited to, prevention, detection, protection, response, and recovery planning, within VITEMA, ensuring that the Virgin Islands' public health system can effectively prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from health emergencies. Decisions directly impact the health and safety of approximately 100,000 residents across three islands. Work products include federally and territorially required plans, exercises, and reports, which determine continued funding eligibility to shape the territory’s emergency response capabilities.
FACTOR 6- PERSONAL CONTACTS
Contacts are agency heads, other managers, and staff within the agency, local and federal public health officials, emergency management agencies (VITEMA, FEMA), healthcare facilities and coalitions, CDC and ASPR program officers outside of the agencies, legislative representatives, and regulatory bodies. This position requires contact by telephone, e-mail, fax, and/or in–person communication.
FACTOR 7- PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
Contacts are made to coordinate preparedness activities, communicate policy, ensure compliance with federal and territorial requirements, determine funding and resource allocation, negotiate memoranda of understanding, and guide the implementation of emergency response plans.
FACTOR 8- PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is primarily sedentary, including standing, walking, and occasional lifting of equipment or materials, travel to emergency sites, training exercises, partner locations, and between islands. Must be able to work extended hours during emergency activations.
FACTOR 9- WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office setting but may involve off-site locations during emergency operations, drills, or meetings. Must be available to respond during emergency activations, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays. Work may occur in austere conditions during disaster response, with occasional exposure to disagreeable conditions.