HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM (HPP) COORDINATOR (GRANT FUNDED)

Salary: $74,833.00 Annually
Location : Health Dept., 1907 Carpenter, Des Moines, IA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 26-1119
Department: Health Department
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: 6/24/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: PRA
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Sat/Sun Off)
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME/Professional
Salary Grade: 11
Location: 1907 Carpenter Ave, DSM

Under limited supervision, provides leadership, coordination, and technical expertise to strengthen hospital and healthcare system preparedness across a multi-county region. The position is responsible for cross-jurisdictional emergency planning and supports hospitals, healthcare entities, EMS, and public health partners in mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergent events. Work requires independent judgment, strong collaboration skills, and a comprehensive understanding of hospital, federal and state preparedness requirements, healthcare coalition operations, and emergency response frameworks.

Illustrative Examples of Work

1. Leads regional hospital and healthcare preparedness planning to support hospital, clinics, EMS, and public health partners; provides consultation and technical assistance to healthcare entities and partners in the development and implementation of federal and state grant-related activities, including resource tracking, hazard vulnerability assessments, , building communication and coordination capabilities, National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance, and integrated preparedness planning.
2. Develops and maintains hospital and healthcare emergency response plans and procedures consistent with federal and state grant requirements.
3. Facilitates training and exercises to evaluate and strengthen hospital and healthcare system capabilities; coordinates with emergency preparedness programs to ensure the facilitation of planning, training, operational readiness, evaluation, and ongoing development of the healthcare coalition and integrated emergency preparedness strategies.
4. Coordinates healthcare coalition operations across a 14-county region to enhance system readiness and response capabilities; prepares and supports organization of hospital subcommittee meeting; serves as the primary liaison between the healthcare coalition, Iowa Health and Human Services, and other state and local response partners.
5. Provides guidance to hospital partners on budgets, progress reports, use of grant funds, and work plans to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements and effective stewardship of preparedness resources.
6. Conducts research, analysis, and plan assessments related to hospital and healthcare emergency response activities to identify gaps, strengths, and improvement opportunities.
7. Supports activation and coordination during real-world incidents affecting hospital and healthcare operations, including information sharing, resource coordination, and situational awareness.
8. Ensures timely reimbursements to hospitals within the service areas for eligible expenses in accordance with grant guidelines and requirements; maintains and submits required expense and claim documentation to the State of Iowa; develops and maintains documentation and reporting to support federal and state grant compliance.
9. Engages healthcare partners to build relationships and promote coordinated emergency planning and system resilience across the region.
10. Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of hospital emergency management, including emergency operations planning, surge capacity, continuity of operations, and disaster recovery strategies.
• Considerable knowledge of Incident Command Systems (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Healthcare Incident Management (HICS) system principles and their application in hospital and healthcare settings.
• Knowledge of Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) principles and exercise design.
• Knowledge of planning, project management, and program evaluation methodologies relevant to hospital and healthcare system preparedness.
• Knowledge of interagency collaboration, coalition-building, and multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement practices, particularly among hospitals and healthcare partners.
• Knowledge of grant management, including budgeting, compliance, allowable costs, and reporting.
• Knowledge of research methods, data analysis, and situational assessment techniques applicable to emergency preparedness, healthcare response, and emergency medical services systems.

• Knowledge of the organizational structure, roles, and authorities of hospitals, EMS, public safety, and healthcare partners at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Skill in communicating complex or technical information with clarity.
• Skill in planning, execution, and evaluating preparedness exercises, training, and community outreach.
• Skill in the use of computer database applications and Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Skill in facilitating groups, leading discussions, and building consensus among cross-sector partners.
• Skill in analyzing data, interpreting findings, and applying results to planning and improvement efforts.
• Ability to interpret and apply hospital emergency management policies, guidelines, and legal mandates.
• Ability to develop, lead, and evaluate hospital emergency response programs, plans, and standard operating guidelines.
• Ability to coordinate and support emergency operations, including effective information sharing, resource coordination, and situational awareness.
• Ability to lead the work of others, including volunteers, contractors, or multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other departments, hospital partners, other governmental agencies, healthcare stakeholders and the general public, fostering a collaborative and professional work environment.

Training and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Emergency Management, Health Sciences, Nursing, or related field, and
• Three years of experience of Emergency Management, or Healthcare Emergency Management, or related experience, or
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Special Requirements:

• A criminal background check is required.
• A drug screen is required prior to final offer of employment.
• A valid State of Iowa driver's license is required.
• HIPAA training is required upon hire and annually.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) training is required within six months of hire.
• Certification in Homeland Security and Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) required within one year of hire.
• Candidate must be willing and able to respond to irregular and on call emergency requests on nights, weekends, and holidays.

This position is grant-funded and is therefore contingent upon the continued availability of funding. If funding is reduced or discontinued, positions are subject to elimination. This position is currently funded through June 30, 2027 with possible 1 year extensions through 6/30/2031.
Salary listed as of July 1, 2026.
Click below for a detailed overview of our benefits package.