Emergency Preparedness Specialist

JOB CODE: 1974

PAY GRADE: 1190

SALARY RANGE: $37,291 - $63,487

LOCATION OF WORK
Mayor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of the Director of the Mayor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, assists in planning, promoting, coordinating and implementing emergency preparedness activities. Work involves recommending programs to efficiently utilize local, state and federal resources. Work also includes assisting local community groups with developing emergency management plans and coordinating emergency planning with local, state and federal agencies and/or organizations. Employees in this classification keep in constant communication with local law enforcement agencies about training and changes in emergency preparedness plans; attends meetings and training sessions. Incumbents are responsible for maintaining information on all resources available through local, state and federal agencies or sources. The incumbent is subject to twenty-four hour call out to assist colleagues in the event of an emergency. Performs other work as requested.

ESSENTIAL WORK TASKS
Coordinates disaster response or emergency management activities. Maintains, oversees and updates all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness operations, procedures and plans. Designs and manages emergency/disaster preparedness training courses for effective and timely response to major emergencies and/or disasters. Examines equipment and facilities, such as the emergency operations center and communications equipment with the purpose of establishing their capabilities for use in emergency situations. Develops and maintains liaisons with municipalities, parish departments, and similar entities in order to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination and exchanges of personnel and/or equipment. Handles efforts to teach and provide training to the community, as well as local businesses and organizations how to plan for and what to do in case of an emergency; conducts educational programs. Prepares plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies such as: hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks; maintains information that chronicles actual response given during events. Trains personnel in emergency center operations in addition to cross-training with other staff positions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of the background and objectives of federal, state, and local civil defense programs and the various agencies in the community involved in disaster operations. Knowledge of local, state and federal guidelines pertaining to advanced radiological emergency planning and/or any other hazardous incident plans. Knowledge of the methods of organization, planning and supervision of projects. Knowledge of government structures and resources. Skill in the use of emergency response materials and equipment and some technical office equipment. Ability to organize, direct and evaluate the work of others in both normal and emergency situations. Ability to interpret rules and regulations. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to speak publicly to groups of varying sizes. Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating emergency situations and in making decisions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other local government officials, staff members, colleagues and the general public. Ability to apply good work habits such as punctuality, reliability, preciseness, and dependability in order to effectively complete assigned tasks and contribute to the smooth operation of the department and division.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS