Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Planner Salary Depends on Qualifications
Location: Houston, TX Job Type: Grant-funded Full-time Job Number: 16205 Department: Public Health Services Division: Office of Public Health Preparedness & Response Opening Date: 02/05/2026 Closing Date: 4/5/2026 11:59 PM Central
Description: Benefits Questions Position Description
If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.
About Harris County Public Health
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant. This is a grant-funded position.
Position Overview:
Under the supervision of the PHP Operations Manager in the Public Health Preparedness & Response Division (PHPRD), the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Planner will be responsible for the creation and maintenance of plans, focusing on CBRNE preparedness, response, and recovery documents. They will work in close collaboration with HCPH staff, as well as Harris County departments and other external partners. This position will also participate in the planning and execution of preparedness exercises, drills, and trainings. The incumbent will be an active member of the incident management team, and as such will participate in the HCPH all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery efforts.
Duties & Responsibilities:
• Analyze and synthesize relevant data and/or information, providing an accurate understanding of present and future threats, to develop and maintain appropriate preparedness and response plans, focusing on CBRNE incidents. • Utilize trainings and exercises completed, as well as incident responses, to evaluate existing plans and identify new plans, SOGs, or procedures as needed. • Work with subject matter experts, HCPH staff, and external partners including emergency response agencies, industry partners, and Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) to ensure coordination of planning across the department and Harris County. • Work with team to oversee all TXDSHS required PHEP deliverables are met within each fiscal year, ensuring proper documentation created for all PHEP requirements and deliverables and support the maintenance, calibration and inventory of CBRNE equipment and supplies. • Work with Public Health Preparedness Training Specialist to assist in the development and execution of preparedness exercises, develop Just in Time Trainings, and writing of after-action reports or other exercise-specific documentation. • Represent HCPH PHEP in disaster planning activities, collaborative exercises, and real-time response activities with internal and external partners. • Maintain a high degree of proficiency within the incident management framework, and other duties as assigned including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.
Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university in public health, emergency management, environmental health and safety, healthcare, chemistry, biology, or a related field of study.
Experience:
At least one (1) year of experience in emergency management, public health, technical writing or a related field.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) • Excellent communication skills (verbal & written) • Knowledge of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) preparedness and response • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment • Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information • Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment • Knowledge in emergency response planning, training, and exercise methods
Core Competencies:
• Organizational Leadership • Collaboration • Innovation • Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics
Organizational Leadership:
• Understands the organizational mission • Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust • Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others • Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs
Collaboration:
• Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission • Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group • Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs
Innovation:
• Ability to adapt to change
Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics:
• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect • Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner • Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses • Uses sound judgment • Self-motivated • Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity
Communication:
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Response, outreach, training, and exercise activities could be outdoors or in a warehouse with various public health response equipment. Work will require initiative and good judgment.
Physical Demands
The incumbent will be required to work during stressful emergencies. Must be able to speak in a manner easily understood by the average person. Must be able to competently perform duties assigned during emergencies. Must be able to work extended hours for a minimum of 96 hours. The incumbent must be able to work in the field when required.
Work Location:
1111 Fannin St. Houston, TX 77002
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
• Medical Coverage • Dental Coverage • Vision Coverage • Wellness Plan • Life Insurance • Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service) • Eleven (11) County-observed holidays • One (1) floating holiday per year • Paid Parental Leave • Sick Leave • Retirement Savings Benefit • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
Professional learning & development opportunities Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan) Flexible work schedule
METRO RideSponsor Program
Participation may vary by County department.
The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the Countys behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website: www.benefitsathctx.com