General Statement of Duties
Forsyth County Department of Social Services is seeking a Health & Human Services Emergency Preparedness Coordinator to lead emergency planning, preparedness, response coordination, and continuity of operations activities for DSS and related human services functions.
Performs responsible professional work coordinating emergency preparedness, response, and continuity of operations activities for the Department of Social Services and related human services functions. The position is responsible for developing, maintaining, and implementing emergency management, sheltering, and continuity plans; ensuring regulatory compliance with federal, state, and local emergency preparedness requirements; coordinating emergency training and drills; and supporting disaster response operations that ensure continuity of essential services for vulnerable populations. Work involves collaboration with internal departments, county leadership, state agencies, and community partners to plan for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. The employee exercises independent judgment, initiative, and discretion while operating under general supervision.
Distinguishing Features
This position plays a critical role in ensuring the department’s readiness to respond to emergencies, disasters, and public health incidents that impact vulnerable populations and essential services.
The Coordinator works collaboratively with county departments, state agencies, and community partners to ensure compliance with emergency management requirements and to support safe, effective service delivery during emergencies.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Social Work, Public Health, Homeland Security, or a related field.
- At least 2 years of experience in emergency preparedness, emergency management, disaster response, or a closely related area.
- Knowledge of emergency management frameworks, shelter operations, and continuity planning.
- Ability to coordinate across multiple departments and external agencies during high-stress situations.
- Lesser education and combined experience may be considered in place of higher education.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a related field.
- Experience working in human services, social services, or public sector emergency response.
- Familiarity with ESF-6 operations and DHHS emergency response structures.
- Experience planning and conducting emergency drills and trainings.
- Strong organizational, facilitation, and communication skills.
Key Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Emergency Preparedness & Planning
- Lead bi-annual review and revision of Emergency Management, Mass Shelter, and Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP).
- Coordinate shelter planning as a local responsibility and support local jurisdictions as requested.
- Organize and implement quarterly emergency preparedness drills, including evacuation and shelter-in-place exercises.
- Oversee DSS Safety Team volunteers and conduct quarterly building safety inspections in conjunction with County Risk Management.
Training & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all required emergency preparedness training for DSS staff, including leadership-level training.
- Maintain alignment with:
- North Carolina Emergency Management Act
- DHHS Operational Role in Responding to Emergency/Disaster Events
- DSS Lead Coordinator for DHHS Emergency Support Function #6 (ESF-6)
Emergency & Disaster Operations
- Coordinate and manage DSS emergency and disaster shelter operations, including:
- Shelter staffing and training
- Food and meal planning
- Aging and Adult Services shelter coordination (Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing)
- Entitlement benefits coordination (DSNAP, Medicaid, FEMA access facilitation)
- Child care assistance during emergencies
- Housing and rehousing planning in coordination with social work services
- Coordination with State Services for the Blind (DSB), as needed
Continuity of Operations
- Manage and coordinate DSS Continuity of Operations during emergencies that render facilities partially or fully unusable.
- Support rapid service restoration and operational decision-making during disasters.
Additional Duties
- Facilitate HHS New Employee Orientation (approximately 2–6 days per month).
- Assist with fleet management activities.
- Oversee ordering, inventory, and distribution of health- and hygiene-related supplies.
- Liaison for the Agency with internal and external partners for all things related to Emergency Preparedness
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01
The following supplemental questions may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided on your application. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during a hiring interview. By completing this supplemental evaluation you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any information you provide may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer to the questions.
- Yes I understand and agree
- No I do not agree
02
Please select your highest level of completed education.
- Some High School
- High School Diploma or GED
- Some College, Trainings, Certifications
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or Advanced Degree
03
Did you graduate from a four-year college with a degree in business administration, accounting, or a related field and do you have at least three years of experience in financial management?
04
If you selected "Other" for the previous question, in what field is your degree?
05
Please select the field in which you have a degree. Select all that apply
- Emergency Management
- Public Administration
- Social Work
- Public Health
- Homeland Security
- Other
- I do not have a degree
06
Do you have a valid driver's license?
07
How many years of experience do you have supervising and evaluating the work performance of others?
- No experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 to 3 years
- 3 to 5 years
- 5 to 7 years
- More than 7 years
08
How many years of experience do you have planning and/or managing a business or governmental program?
- No experience
- Less than 3 years
- 3 to 5 years
- 5 to 7 years
- 7 to 10 years
- 10 to 15 years
- More than 15 years
09
How many years of experience do you have working in local or state-level Social Services?
- No experience
- Less than 3 years
- 3 to 5 years
- 5 to 7 years
- 7 to 10 years
- 10 to 15 years
- More than 15 years
10
Do you have experience in budgeting?
11
Do you have experience working with IT security?
12
Briefly describe your experience with building operations, processes, evaluation & program improvement. If you do not have this type of experience, enter N/A
13
Briefly describe your experience working with NCFAST and/or any other NC state systems. If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
