Deputy Emergency Management Director

Job Summary

Provides support and coordination assistance to the Emergency Management Director. Assists with planning, organizing, and coordinating county-wide efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters caused by natural, human, technological, terroristic, and other factors. Collaborates with local First Responder Agencies along with other emergency preparedness professionals to coordinate planning and response efforts. Assists with coordinating and training local emergency preparedness personnel and internal county staff for response and recovery efforts. Incumbent fulfills the appointed role of Deputy Emergency Management Director as defined by MS 12.25, subd. 2."

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assists with Coordinating the Emergency Preparedness Program in Scott County, collaborating and coordinating with other units of government and professionals; conducts an annual review of the program and response plans to ensure their effectiveness; makes policy and program changes as warranted.
• Maintains Emergency Operations, Damage Assessment, Debris Management, Radiological Emergency Preparedness, and Hazard Mitigation Plans for the county, which includes working directly with other local jurisdictions and tribal partners to ensure their plans align with and meet state and federal requirements.
• Serves as a resource to others in the areas of emergency preparedness and disaster planning. Teaches emergency preparedness and disaster recovery techniques to both adult and child learners; sometimes in outdoor environments and often at remote locations. Delivers training on emergency management functions to city, school, and county staff.
• Assists with state and local grant applications and actively pursues program funding; plans, administers, and implements budgets and grants programs as authorized.
• Develops and implements tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises in alignment with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) including completion of after-action reviews and improvement plans. Aids private healthcare providers with emergency and exercise plan implementation to meet Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandates.
• Serves in an on-call role outside of normally scheduled work hours; Responds to emergencies including severe weather, hazardous materials spills, mass casualty incidents, major fires, and utility compromises. Demonstrate safe emergency vehicle operations when necessary. Work the time and in the conditions necessary to resolve the incident.
• During time of emergency, disaster, or preplanned event, serves in a command or general staff role, typically in the logistics or planning section. Assigns, supervises, directs, and evaluates staff and volunteers assigned to subordinate roles in the incident command system. Assists, oversees, manages, and directs disaster recovery operations, including the surveying of damage and related investigations. Work hours may involve extended operational periods spanning across weekends and holidays.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records and reports in accordance with county, state, and federal rules, and regulations; submits reports to agencies and required; Provides court testimony as needed for incidents and emergencies involving prosecution.  
• Plans, implements, and evaluates training, public information, operation and administration of local emergency preparedness programs; interpret emergency management rules and regulations; recommends policy and program changes to respond to changing requirements.
• Collaborates with ambulance, first responders, public safety officials, medical directors, and municipal and civic groups on technical and programmatic emergency preparedness issues.
• Prepares, introduces, and administers policy and procedure for emergency preparedness based on standards set by state and federal agencies. Assists others with understanding and developing policy and procedure as it relates to their own emergency preparedness planning.
• Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, a closely related field; or equivalent years of related work experience.

Requires four years of increasingly responsible experience in emergency management, public health, public safety, and/or business continuity and disaster program planning and operations including incident command experience.

State or national certification as an Emergency Manager is required within two years from date of hire. Hazmat Awareness Level certification is required within six months of hire. A valid driver's license is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

Experience as an instructor is highly desired. Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician or Emergency Medical Responder is desired.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general guidance and direction from the Emergency Management Director. Assignments received orally and in writing, consist of general statements of objectives and approximate time schedules. Guidance is available when required; however, the employee is expected to work independently as a technical lead and according to prescribed procedures.

The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others; including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of current law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and motor vehicle regulations.

Knowledge of county and department's policies, procedures, and labor contracts.

Abilities – Ability to manage disaster recovery and coordinate efforts.

Ability to develop cooperative working relationships with diversified groups of people, including staff, agency officials, elected officials, contractors, maintenance/construction  professionals, and from local, state and regional agencies.

Ability to lead committees and achieving desired results through team concepts.

Ability to work in arenas of conflict and bringing diverse opinions to resolution or consensus.

Ability to analyze complex law, policy, and issues, and develop solutions to address them.

Ability to coordinate and activate emergency and disaster plans of action and to be effective with collaborating with other jurisdictions and agencies.

Ability to organize work effectively, to include staff, volunteers, and peer groups.

Ability to assume command of a situation, remain composed under periods of great stress, and to be available in the event of emergencies.

Ability to express ideas and convictions clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; skilled at public speaking and presenting to small and large groups.

Ability to obtain grant funding for programs and to effectively administer and oversee grant activities and budgets.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use MS Office and other software for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.