EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

STARTING PAY: $36,450 - $45,000 annually (DOQ)

SUMMARY

This position serves as the Emergency Management Specialist and reports to the Planning Section Manager. Work includes coordinating emergency plan development and maintenance, assisting with the development and distribution of emergency operation plans, and assisting with exercise design for Emergency Management.  This position responds to actual emergency events either in the field or to the EOC; develops and conducts public awareness activities throughout the community; provides input into the development and maintenance of the Emergency Management Departmental budget and all grants from State and Federal sources and is responsible for completion of special and ongoing programs within Emergency Management.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• May serve as 24/7 Duty Officer on a rotating basis with other OEM staff.

• Participates in all Emergency Operations Center activations, with or without notice.
• Maintains a working knowledge of and ensures the reliability and readiness of all communications, warning, computer, and audio/visual equipment in the EOC and alternate EOC; tests all equipment periodically and arranges for repairs.
• Assists with the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures/ Guidelines for the set-up and operation of the EOC, and alternate EOC.
• Always assists with the maintenance of all associated PC hardware and software at an operational level.
• Meets with departments, personnel, and agencies for preparedness.
• Assists in the setup and operation of the EOC or alternate EOC, including the coordination of personnel, setup of equipment in the EOC, and operation of all communications, warning, computer, and audio/visual equipment in accordance with the EOP and SOPs/SOGs during EOC activation.
• Assists with the printing and distribution of the Emergency Operations Plan and Standard Operating Procedures/Guidelines for the City and contracted jurisdictions.
• Assists with writing and maintenance of the Emergency Operations Plan.
• Coordinates with individuals at all levels of City government in addition to residents, businesses, and the public to draft, complete, update, revise, and sustain plans.
• Assists with delivering presentations to community groups and other individuals relating to planning initiatives.
• Attends training, meetings, and briefings throughout the region that pertain to planning efforts.
• Assists with the maintenance of the Hazard Mitigation Program and Hazard Vulnerability Assessment. Develops and maintains a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for local government operations; Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP); Mutual Aid and Memoranda of Agreement (MOA)'s
• Support the planning, design, facilitation, and evaluation of disaster exercises using the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) at the direction of the Director of Emergency Management.
• Responds to actual emergency events either in the field or to the EOC.
• Assists in the development of and conducts public awareness and emergency management presentations on preparedness to businesses and at public events.  
• Assists with the coordination of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)    
• Other Duties as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

A degree in Emergency Management, Planning, Business, or Public Administration, or like field is preferred. Education may be supplemented by one (1) year of experience with planning and implementing emergency services response plans and activities, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Completion of command level NIMS/ICS courses (IS-100; IS-200; IS-700; IS-702; IS-703; IS-706; IS-800; G-300; & G-400) and FEMA Professional Development Series (PDS) courses (IS-120; IS-230; IS-235; IS-240; IS-241; IS-242; and IS-244) is required within one year of employment. Valid Texas Driver’s License required.

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and Certified Texas Emergency Managers (TEM) through the Emergency Management Association of Texas (EMAT) credentials are required within three years of employment.

Required to live within 30 minutes of the EOC facility with residence located in Potter and Randall Counties required; Bilingual communication is preferred; must be able to pass a Texas Criminal Information Center (TCIC)/National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) background check; and the ability to obtain U.S. DOE security clearance is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the use of effective writing skills to explain planning concepts clearly and concisely to a wide range of audiences.
• Knowledge of emergency management principles and the four phases of emergency management (mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery).
• Knowledge of National Incident Management System (NIMS) & Incident Command System (JCS).
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, particularly regarding emergency preparedness and planning.
• Knowledge of principals of project management.
• Knowledge of, and the ability to development, prepare, and maintain the Emergency Operations Plans and others for the city and contracted jurisdictions.
• Knowledge of facilitating or otherwise supporting After Action Reviews by leading AAR discussions or preparing AAR meeting materials.
• Knowledge to support every area of the Office of Emergency Management mission, including exercises, outreach, training, and grants.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Skills to assists with advising those responsible for specific sections of the Emergency Operations Plan in development of their annexes.
• Skills and abilities with personal computers, specifically with Microsoft Office suite of software, and related equipment; experience with software, including website development software and/or HTML, social media, weather monitoring systems, VEOCI, CAMEO, plume-modeling software, and GIS/mapping software is a plus.
• Skill to assist in the development of and conducts training classes as required.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences or proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to assists with planning and development of training programs for regular and volunteer personnel in the operation of the EOC and alternate EOC.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationship with City and other government officials, community groups, the public, and media representatives.
• Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephones systems.
• Ability to be a Team player with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Assist ability to development After-Action Reports and Improvement Action Plans.
• Ability to work independently on projects as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Occasionally lift up to 10 pounds; Occasionally carry up to 10 pounds; Frequently reach below shoulder height; Occasionally rotate upper trunk to right or left while sitting or standing; Coordinate eye, hand and foot movement in order to operate a vehicle.

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.