2023-2024 AmeriCorps Rock County Public Health Department
Position Summary
This Public Health AmeriCorps position will support the Rock County Public Health Department (RCPHD) Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program in developing and implementing strategies to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to emergencies. RCPHD’s PHEP program works to promote and implement equitable emergency preparedness efforts through collaboration with local and regional partners. This position will work directly with RCPHD’s PHEP Coordinator in RCPHD’s Communicable Disease Unit. A successful AmeriCorps member in this position will be detail-oriented, invested in learning and growing in the PHEP field, and comfortable working independently.
Member Duties
The Public Health AmeriCorps member will be responsible for the following activities:
1) Update Rock County Public Health Department’s Point of Dispensing (POD) Plan and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to improve future mass clinic planning and implementation.
a. Review current POD Plan and research current POD standards of practice
b. Gather feedback from RCPHD’s Communicable Disease Unit staff to improve the current POD plan
c. Work with supervisor to develop equitable planning approaches and considerations for POD Plan
d. Work with supervisor to update POD Plan (e.g., draft sections, update graphics, etc.)
e. Inventory past and current MOUs with supervisor to determine scope and scale of outreach required
f. Identify potential MOU sites based on the social vulnerability index and other factors
g. Work with supervisor to perform site visits to assess site resources and needs for selected MOU sites
2) Assist in coordinating Rock County Public Health Department’s COVID-19 Home Test Program
a. Work with supervisor to identify areas of Rock County with COVID-19 testing gaps
b. Identify sites/locations for distribution of COVID-19 home tests in areas that are socially vulnerable
c. Work with supervisor on site/location outreach
d. Help coordinate test ordering and preparations
e. Help distribute tests to sites/locations
3) Help develop a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project for people experiencing homelessness
a. Review current WASH standards of practice
b. Develop a literature review on WASH interventions and evidence-based practices
c. Participate in project planning meetings
d. Work with project team to develop an equitable, population-level approach to improving WASH outcomes, if contextually appropriate to the population of Rock County
4) Help maintain Rock County Public Health Department’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program
a. Assist in completing PHEP deliverables for current funding period as needed
b. Help create and facilitate PHEP trainings and drills as needed
c. Assist in other plan development (i.e., PHEP Plan, Risk Communications Plan, High Consequence Infectious Disease Plan) as needed
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge:
· Basic understanding of CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities
· Basic understanding of the Social Determinants of Health
· Basic understanding of the Social-Ecological Model
Skills:
· Project management, including the development and implementation of work-plans to address complex public health topics
· Conducting basic data analysis, policy analysis, and evaluation
· Communicating effectively and tailoring communication strategies to the target population
· Working with complex, ambiguous, and dynamic systems
Abilities:
· Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion in completing assigned duties and responsibilities
· Ability to work independently and in a team environment
· Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
· Ability to effectively communicate with staff in a courteous, professional manner
Essential Job Functions
Physical:
· Ability to bend, twist, turn, and reach frequently
· Ability to sit, walk and stand for long periods of time
· Ability to grasp, carry, push, pull, and lift objects up to 20 pounds at times
· Ability to drive a vehicle
· Access to reliable transportation to fulfill duties of position
· Level of vision, hearing, and fine motor skills sufficient to read, write and proficiently use office and computer equipment
Equipment Use:
· Ability to independently and fluently use computer and office equipment (telephone, multi-function printers, computers, software systems, mobile smart phone devices) continuously on a daily basis
· Ability to proficiently use software programs Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
Working Conditions:
· Ability to work varied hours on occasion, including evenings, weekends and overtime (partner meetings, community events, and public health emergencies).
· Ability to work in varying office and outside conditions in relation to heat, cold, and varying weather conditions