The Los Angeles County, Department of Public Health (LAC-DPH), with funding support from California State Pandemic Influenza grant, seeks to enhance pandemic influenza preparedness and response, with a focus on priority populations including individuals at increased risk for severe disease and school-aged children. LAC-DPH is seeking a qualified Subject Matter Expert (SME) Consultant in public health emergency planning with expertise integrating Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and other community volunteers into operational plans. The SME will play a lead role in improving the Pandemic Influenza Response Plan for Los Angeles County, incorporating volunteer staffing strategies from the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Los Angeles and Public Health Emergency Volunteer (PHEV) partners and expanding on the medical countermeasure (MCM) mission to prevent spread of pandemic influenza. The SME consultant will be responsible for the following key activities: 1) lead the planning process to enhance LAC-DPH’s Pandemic Influenza Response Plan, integrating MRC and PHEV volunteers into vaccination operations and other MCM mission strategies, especially to reach priority populations, including high-risk individuals and school-aged children; 2) provide technical guidance to strengthen seasonal flu vaccination efforts as a strategy for pandemic preparedness, and support Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (EPRD), Emergency Volunteer Staffing Coordinator in planning and executing trainings and exercises; and 3) plan and conduct mass vaccination exercises involving MRC and PHEV volunteers, and provide guidance on coordinating with local schools and community organizations to effectively target and serve priority groups. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 15 years of experience in Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response with proven expertise in: developing and implementing emergency response plans; integrating MRC volunteers into public health operations; and conducting public health training and exercises with community partners and MRC/PHEV volunteers. In addition, the SME is expected to have a strong understanding of community engagement strategies for reaching high-risk populations and children and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with governmental and volunteer organizations. The SME consultant will work closely with the EPRD Medical Countermeasure (MCM) and Volunteer Management units, and the Pandemic Influenza Grant Coordinator.
