Emergency Management Specialist

Position Summary

Position Summary: Under the general supervision of the Emergency Management Coordinator, the Emergency Management Specialist will assist with the implementation of the city’s whole community all-hazard emergency management program. General responsibilities include utilizing all phases of emergency management, including enhancing prevention, improving mitigation, building a culture of preparedness, ensuring response readiness, and expediting recovery to assist in the daily operations of the emergency management program or in support of emergency activities as required. Requires regular collaboration with departmental personnel, city staff, local, regional, state, federal emergency preparedness agencies and partner organizations. 
 
Distinguishing Characteristics: Under general supervision, positions at this level generally receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit, with most work being performed independently. More complex thinking and reasoning skills are required, as employees at this level perform more complex and responsible duties and may be assigned special projects.

Essential Functions

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. 

• Assists in the development, revision, and implementation of emergency management-related plans, including the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP), Disaster Debris Management Plan, and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Readiness Plans, to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines. 
• Responsible for maintaining and processing information for Homeland Security grants, Hazard Mitigation grants, and other emergency management grants as applicable. Reconciles available grant funds with program expenditures to maintain compliance.
• Maintains inventory of equipment and maintains accurate records of all grants or general funded purchases.
• Assists with initiatives to educate, train, and exercise City personnel to help prepare for disaster and ensure response readiness, to include the research, writing, facilitation, and delivery of emergency management related trainings and exercises.
• Responsible for oversight and organization of After-Action Reviews (AAR’s), providing analysis to identify areas for improvement in training, exercises, and / or actual emergency events.
• Maintains situational awareness of significant incidents and events utilizing various tools such as public safety radio, social media, and various websites.  
• Assists in the management and operation of the city emergency warning program to include the Outdoor Warning System (OWS) sirens, the emergency notification system, and other systems.
• Maintains and coordinates community outreach efforts to provide opportunities for stakeholders to engage with the whole community, including social media to its fullest potential, employ other nontraditional outreach methods such as teleconferencing, and implement novel uses to engage partners in planning and preparedness efforts.
• Responds to and assists with emergency threats and incidents, as appropriate. Performs emergency management coordination and support activities during incidents and events. Maintains Emergency Operations Center (EOC) equipment and assists and supports EOC activities.
• Serve as Emergency Management Duty Officer on a rotational, on-call basis to activate the EOC 24/7 as required by emergency and / or disaster situations that may require emergency management assistance. Works alternate shift schedules when necessary to meet the mission requirements, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required and assigned.
• Participates in regional disaster planning with external stakeholders.
• Represents the City of Lewisville on local and regional emergency management committees or councils, at emergency management scenes, special events, conferences, meetings, seminars, and training as directed. 
• In the absence of the Emergency Management Coordinator, activates, staffs, and manages the EOC to ensure a unified response, information sharing, prioritization of resource requests, tracking of expenditures, documentation of actions, and assisting leadership in decision-making. May serve as the Acting Emergency Management Coordinator during multi-operational periods.
• Responds courteously to public inquiries; provides information within the area of assignment; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner. 
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in Emergency Management, Public Safety, Public Administration, Homeland Security, or similar field of study required. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Emergency Management preferred. 
 
Experience: 1-year of general emergency management experience required; 2 years preferred. 
 
Additional preferred experience:

• A program coordinator in a public safety / emergency management organization
• An adult trainer or educator in emergency management
• Homeland Security Grants
• Emergency notification systems, i.e., Everbridge, CodeRed, Safe Alert, etc.
• Municipal government
• Successful completion of NIMS ICS 300 / 400 

Any combination of related education, experience, certifications, and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job will be considered on a case-by-case basis after careful review. 

Licenses and Certifications: Basic understanding of Texas Government Code, Chapter 418. Successful completion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Independent Study (IS) Programs IS-1, IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 (or FEMA recognized equivalents).
 
Conditions of Employment: Must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test. Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver’s License Class “C” and good driving record as defined by City policy.
 
Other Requirements: May be subject to emergency call back or extended work hours in response to emergency situations. Flexible schedule as needed to assist with special events and/or emergencies.
 
REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES
 
Knowledge: Emergency management best practices and municipal government operations, including emergency planning and preparedness, training and exercise development, and disaster recovery; applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; procedures and terminology related to the emergency services industries; Texas Division of Emergency Management grant system; eGrants system; National Incident Management System; basic principles and practices of public administration.
 
Skilled In: Applying sound judgment, solve problems, make quick and effective decisions under stress, and act with integrity; accepting responsibility and account for his/her actions; following instructions, safety practices and standard operating guidance in performing assigned tasks; effective problem solving and conflict resolution; interpreting, applying, and explaining laws, policies, and regulations; strong technical writing skills, public speaking; excellent customer service skills; applying independent judgment, personal discretion, and resourcefulness in interpreting and applying guidelines; reading, interpreting, applying, and explaining rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; preparing clear and concise reports; making recommendations based on findings and in support of organizational goals; using a personal computer including Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail, internet, and Google products; accepting responsibility for his/her actions; performing work accurately and thoroughly; following instructions, safety practices, and standard operating procedures in performing assigned tasks; communicating effectively, clearly, and concisely both orally and in writing; being punctual and attending work regularly; and working effectively with people regardless of their race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran' s status, genetics, or job type.

Work Hours

Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm, Friday 7:30am-11:30am.