Emergency Management Coordinator - Mt Vernon, United States - Skagit County, WA

Description

Salary: See Position Description

Location : Mount Vernon, WA

Job Type: Regular Full-Time

Job Number:

Department: Emergency Management

Opening Date: 05/09/2024

Closing Date: 5/31/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

Summary

The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management seeks an Emergency Management Coordinator to conduct Training and Exercise programs and to manage Alert and Warning systems, as well as other described requirements. First review of applications will take place May 27th.

Under the Direction of the Chief of Emergency Management, performs duties and functions in support of the Department of Emergency Management's purpose of serving Skagit County, the cities, and towns therein, and residents through effective collaboration in preparing for, protecting against, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of all potential hazards and threats. May also report to Emergency Management Supervisor for specialized projects.

- Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3 ($35.02 to $37.52 per hour) for an Emergency Management Coordinator, dependent upon qualifications.

- Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 8 total steps (top step $44.55 per hour). Emergency Management Coordinator is range 16 of salary schedule DEM (PROTEC).
Essential Functions

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification; they are only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Coordinates activities within the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program and the FEMA Community Rating System, in order to: Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property; Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program; Foster comprehensive floodplain management.

Assists the Chief in planning, training, conducting, reporting on, and maintaining a cycle for identifying community-specific threats and hazards; achieving targets for each core capability as identified in the National Preparedness Goal; utilizing FEMA and CDC products including but not limited to: Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR), and Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVA).

Assists the Chief in preparing and maintaining the County's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and the County's Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, including writing and coordination of annexes, and in compliance with various local, state and federal requirements.

Reviews and guides emergency plans for other County departments, or partner agencies; and coordinates emergency response plans with local cities, towns, and public serving agencies, with regional county partners, with the State of Washington; and with local federally recognized tribes, when requested.

Develops and promotes public emergency preparedness awareness materials including brochures, flyers, press releases and promotional materials; coordinates Flood Awareness Week, National Preparedness Month, and other such activities as assigned; coordinates messaging with local, regional, and state and tribal Public Information Officers.

Convenes, facilitates, and/or participates in emergency preparedness planning meetings and committees as assigned; maintains appropriate meeting documentation, and briefs the Chief on noteworthy activities; makes presentations to government committees, the community, volunteers, and business group, as requested by the Chief.

Attends various Emergency Management-related meetings, as requested, on behalf of the Chief. Assists the Chief and other staff members in preparing documents for meetings, briefings, testimonies, seminars, etc.

Supports the Skagit County Emergency Management Advisory Board (EMAB) activities as directed.

Performs a County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) position as assigned; inventories and maintains the County EOC supplies and deployable emergency supplies and resources, in a state of readiness.

Assists with provision of all necessary EOC support to Incident Command such as policy guidance, response priorities, situational awareness, resources, enhanced communications capability, alerts and public warnings, and media interface, as directed.

Assists the Chief with disaster recovery efforts to include, but not limited to, administration of Presidential Disaster Declaration applications, development of long-term disaster recovery plans, and coordination with long-term recovery group/ organizations.

Assists the Chief and other EOC staff to implement and manage processes quickly and efficiently in order to submit initial damage assessments within required timelines set forth by County, State and Federal timelines.

Coordinates with other County departments to submit applications for disasters assistance; completes, submits and tracks claims to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and prepares other written and/or verbal reports, logs and statistics.

Researches and prepares grant applications for services, equipment, supplies, and programs related to emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery; as directed by the Chief, implements and administers grants and maintains financial and other grant related records; oversees grant administration, grant reimbursement and record keeping. Prepares detailed grant activity summaries upon request and ensures grant compliance.

Designs, conducts, and evaluates training and exercises as assigned, in compliance with the Department of Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP).

Assists in the scheduling and delivery of FEMA, State Emergency Management Division, and Homeland Security consortium courses as directed.

Develops plans and training as assigned, including but not limited to: Community Rating System, the National Flood Insurance Program, Emergency Alert System (EAS), Evacuation, LEPC, IPAWS, CEMP, CPOD, Damage Assessment, COOP, and SERA III.

Plans and schedules ICS/EOC courses prescribed by the National Incident Management System (NIMS); as assigned.

Collects and maintains required data for the County's SARA Title III Reporting of Extremely Hazardous Substances Program as well as update "Annex O - Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan".

As assigned, may schedule and facilitate regular Local Emergency Planning Committee meetings, in compliance with State and Federal standards.

Provides administrative support for the Chief and other staff as directed; assists staff, interns and volunteers to accomplish computer-related tasks using work processing and specialized emergency management software.

Orders and tracks departmental equipment, including emergency preparedness, mitigation, recovery and response supplies and equipment. Assists with annual asset inventory and equipment mobilization and demobilization activities, as assigned.

Assists with maintaining department and EOC equipment and supplies such as but not limited to: Lights, trailers, generators, heaters, air conditioning units, cots, blankets, etc. Maintains and updates a department resource and materials book. Ensures it is accurate and up to date on a quarterly basis. Keeps equipment in peak operational condition; communicates immediately with the Chief when equipment is in disrepair, unsafe, or otherwise not functional.

Assists with mass care activities such as shelter operations and evacuations.

Responsible for the development, training, testing, and implementation of the overarching Emergency Communications and Alert Plan, including but not limited to: Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) program, IPAWS Alerting, AHABS sirens, and others; and assuring that standards are met for limited English proficiency, access and functional needs, as well as all other relevant Local, State, and Federal standards.

Oversees weekly DEM EOC amateur-band and other radio equipment checks. Supports regional communications planning efforts, as assigned. Recruits amateur band radio operators in meaningful numbers. Ensures they are trained and exercised to provide augmented public safety communications during a disaster response. Directs or delegates oversight of the ARES/RACES organization when mobilized or deployed.

As assigned, manages a countywide Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program that includes training and exercises integrated with first responders. Provides cross-training opportunities to increase CERT capability. Directs or delegates oversight of CERT members when mobilized or deployed.

Assists with the preparation and administration of the adopted departmental budget as directed.

Administers departmental bookkeeping, voucher payment system, payroll, accounts receivable and budgeting as directed.

Responds to Public Records Requests in full compliance with Public Records Act Washington RCW Chapter 42.56.

Attends professional conferences, seminars and other meetings or professional training as requested.

SUPERVISORY:
Provides training to DEM team members, volunteers, and interns to increase their capabilities and potential, as directed. This position may oversee the work of volunteers, interns, and part-time staff.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
May be tasked with performing other related duties as assigned. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee's classification of work.

Keeps Chief apprised in a timely manner of critical or important duty related activities, and of essential and/or critical information.

Collaborates with all County staff members, partner agencies, and the public in a positive and professional manner.
Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the inequitable impact of disasters and emergencies on vulnerable communities.
• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Health, Natural Resources, Climate Resiliency, Planning, Human Services, Education, or closely related field; and
• 3 to 5 years of experience in Emergency Management OR
• 7 to 8 years of experience in Emergency Management
• Completion of FEMA courses IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 within 6 months of hire date.
• Completion of FEMA courses ICS-300 and ICS-400 within 1 year of hire date.
• Completion of Professional Development Series (PDS) Emergency Management courses or equivalent training within 1 year of hire date.
• Completion of Emergency Management Basic Academy within 2 years of hire date.
• Completion of current (within the last five years, unless FEMA has updated the curriculum within that timeframe), fundamental and advanced FEMA classroom and Independent Study, Homeland Security Consortium, and other professional courses, as assigned by the Chief, appropriate to a mid-level emergency manager.
• Previous grant writing and tracking experience, with successful results.
• Previous experience in community outreach; proficiency in public speaking and professional presentations.
• Must be able to pass a County background check.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted which demonstrates progressively responsible and applicable skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR), and Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVA)
• Management of an EOC activation to coordinate an emergency response to an incident or disaster.
• Floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, and/or the National Flood Insurance Program
• General hazard preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery planning
• Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers (FEMA)
• A thorough understanding of the Incident Command System and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• A thorough understanding of the National Preparedness Goal, the National Preparedness System, and the National Preparedness Framework.
• Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
• Relevant local, state, and federal emergency management laws.
• Intermediate level grant and contract management practices, budgeting practices, and records management.
• Computer applications such as Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.

REQUIRES ABILITY TO:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communications with officials, local municipalities, other employees, and the public.
• Use, understand, and interpret local, state, and federal statutes and codes.
• Write, understand, and interpret complex materials such as grant applications and deliverables, notices of funding opportunities, and other written material inherent to the position.
• Quickly analyze and assess information and make sound decisions at all times.
• Practice sound stewardship of public resources, within the laws, regulations, and best practices of government accountability.
• Work as a team member in a positive and professional manner.
• Communicate, collaborate, and coordinate with others in a caring and compassionate manner.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Provide clear, concise, and accurate communication to the public and partner agencies.
• Maintain confidentiality when appropriate.
• Use computer applications such as Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook as well as specialized emergency management software.
• Prepare, compile and/or edit comprehensive reports, records, correspondence, narratives and statistical reports with a high degree accuracy and professionalism.
• Proofread effectively for content and grammatical composition and assure all pertinent information from appropriate sources is included.
• Use appropriate safety equipment and follow established work safety policies, practices and procedures.
• Operate office equipment including two-way radios, multi-line telephone system, fax machine, photocopier, document scanner and calculator.
• Organize, prioritize, and coordinate work assignments with little or no supervision.
• Work effectively in a multi-task, high-stress environment.
• Safely load, hitch, and tow a trailer.
• Follow directions from a supervisor, or EOC member in a superior role.
• Professionally accept constructive feedback.
• Work occasional weekends, evenings, and holidays during non-emergent and emergent times.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid Washington State Driver's License is required. Must have a driving record that would not impact ability to operate County vehicles.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with outings to meetings, exercises, public education functions, and training opportunities. Though infrequently dispatched to Incident Command Posts, duration of dispatch could extend beyond normal work hours for several days at a time, including the potential to work nights and weekends for long durations of time.

Work may be also performed in a field setting under a full range of environmental conditions including wind, rain, heat and cold temperatures. Occasionally may work in confined spaces, in large crowds, in close proximity to structural, environmental, electrical, noise and mechanical hazards including bio-hazardous materials.

Requirements include participation in a one-week repeating rotation as Duty Officer that requires: carrying a county issued cell phone and/or radio; 24hr response expectations while on duty; abstinence from medications or substances that would prevent driving or making rational decisions; ability to report to the Emergency Operations Center within 1 hour, and to any other location in Skagit County within in 1 hour 30 minutes; compliance with all other report to duty conditions as required of the position. f.

Physical effort is required to lift materials and equipment more than 25 pounds.

Skagit County offers a competitive benefits package for Full-Time employees, including:

• Health Insurance: A variety of plans to choose from, including the County's Standard Medical Plan, for which the employee only pays $70 a month for medical and the County pays 100% of the dental and vision premiums for employee and dependents depending on the plan selected. Spouses may be added to the plan for $130 per month.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Retirement: All employees must participate in a Washington State Department of Retirement Services plan, and may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan if desired.
• Group Life Insurance: Basic insurance and Long-Term Disability is provided to employee and dependents, with additional insurance available to purchase.
• Employee Assistance Program for employees and family members for help with personal or family problems.