Emergency Preparedness Manager

The City of Norwalk is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Emergency Management Professional with demonstrated expertise in various aspects of emergency management, including the functions of the emergency operations center, and overall coordination of an emergency management program.

The Emergency Preparedness Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and coordinating the city-wide Emergency Management Program, covering the preparedness, response, and recovery phases for local disasters, emergencies, and national security situations, including local environmental alerts or issues. The Emergency Preparedness Manager reports to the Director of Public Safety and may supervise administrative staff, Management Analysts, Senior Management Analysts, seasonal personnel, and support staff.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Participate in developing and maintaining the City's strategic emergency management plan and supporting plans and procedures; monitor and analyze trends in emergency management planning and recommend improvements in emergency preparedness, response and recovery; consolidate the strategic emergency management plan with the City's standardized emergency management program and related databases and records; 
• Writes memos, City Council Reports, Damage Reports, and other administrative reports. 
• Maintain and organize the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). During emergencies, provide support and assistance to the City’s Incident Commander and oversee the functioning of the EOC.
• Develop, maintain, and update the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Emergency Operations Plan, strategic emergency management plan and all supporting policies and procedures, including Continuity of Government, Continuity of Operations and others.
• Analyze and monitor trends in emergency management; recommend and implement improvements to ensure the City is well prepared for all hazards, advises departments on their emergency plans and coordinates interdepartmental activities.
• Prepare and practice exercises on a continuous basis to evaluate and improve the City’s ability to respond to disasters and emergencies.
• Ensure the proper maintenance, training and development of emergency personnel, including disaster volunteer resources such as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
• Develop, utilize and expand emergency warning and notification systems and capabilities.
• Stockpile, inventory, and maintain disaster supplies and equipment.
• Develop organizations of trained volunteers among civilian populations, such as Advanced Community Emergency Response Teams (ACERT).
• Provide training and required certification and preparation of all City personnel in order to sufficiently respond to emergencies, including those emergencies requiring activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC); 
• Monitor potential emergencies and disasters and notify appropriate personnel;  maintains the EOC and ensures equipment is in working order; 
• During emergency and disaster situations take direction from and support the work of the City Incident Commander; oversee and support the functioning of the EOC; coordinate and participate in recall of employees and other support resources; ensure that each EOC position is staffed and that personnel are trained to perform assigned duties; 
• Serves as the City’s liaison on emergency preparedness issues with the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency, the State of California Office of Emergency Services, the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, Area E, and other local municipalities; 
• Follows emergencies, facilitate preparation of FEMA/OES financial reimbursement claims, maintains required documentation and prepares After Action Reports and critiques; 
• Research, develop, apply for, allocate and implement grant funding to enhance the City’s ability to respond to disasters and emergencies; manages grant programs and projects; maintain eligibility requirements for county, state and federal financial reimbursement programs; 
• Maintain and develop strong working partnerships with local, State, and Federal agencies; 
• Represent the City with local and state regulatory agencies, utility and other services, planning committees, and media representatives; provide briefings, develop written literature and presentations to inform the public;
• Perform a variety of administrative, operational, research and analytical duties in support of the program; develop reports, recommended policies, procedures, and forms; 
• Manages the emergency preparedness budget; recommends and monitors expenditures;
• Investigates complaints and responds to inquiries about the emergency management plan; 
• Maintains inventory of supplies for emergency management plan program; and 
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Director of the Department of Public Safety.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Knowledge of: Full-service municipal operations; principles and practices of emergency preparedness development, planning, management, policies, operations, services, and response procedures; methods and techniques in emergency preparedness training; community emergency and disaster support and assistance resources; federal, state, county and local regulations, policies and guidelines related to civil defense, disaster and emergency preparedness; principles and practices of organization, administration, budget, and human resources management; research methods and techniques and methods of report presentation.  

Ability to: Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; prepare, maintain, plan and organize a comprehensive emergency management program ensuring knowledge and implementation of County, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and practices pertaining to emergency management; research and write technical documents; build community and organizational support for emergency service programs; develop and conduct emergency service training programs; conduct community education programs and presentations; manage volunteer organizations; organize and prioritize activities to meet deadlines; prepare administrative and financial reports; interpret basic descriptive statistical reports; write grants relating to Emergency Management; operate a personal computer including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access Database applications; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; conduct related special projects; develop and conduct EOC Exercises; lead special purpose teams of employees and outside agencies; establish and maintain effective relationships with all employee levels, including management and the City Council and external resources contacted in the course of work; work creatively and collaboratively; exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines; analyze problems and develop logical solutions; and, handle stressful or sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy. 

Education:  Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university with major coursework in emergency management, public policy, planning, public or business administration, or a closely related field.   

Formal training and/or certification in disaster response, emergency operations center functions, emergency management planning, or public information is desirable. 

Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience in emergency management, emergency preparedness, and/or emergency response programs. 

License Requirement: FEMA certification in ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-700 and ICS-800 training.  Certification as an Emergency Manager by the International Association of Emergency Managers is highly desirable. Due to the performance of field duties, which will require the operation of a motor vehicle, a valid California Class C Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and through the course of employment are required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

An incumbent must be able to attend evening and weekend meetings and travel to various locations within and outside the City of Norwalk to meet the program needs of the position. Additionally, an incumbent must reside in close proximity to the City of Norwalk in order to respond to emergencies within a reasonable period.  In the event of an emergency, the incumbent must be available to perform the duties and responsibilities required of the position.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The work is performed primarily indoors in an office environment and requires working outdoors when conducting emergency drills. In the event of an emergency, must be able to work indoors/outdoors under adverse conditions for an extended period.  May work in high temperatures (above 80 degrees) and low temperatures (40-60 degrees).  Work will require frequent driving, lifting, reaching, climbing, stretching, and pushing.  May be required to work weekends, evenings, holidays, or prolonged periods when receiving emergency alerts or for events and/or training.  

Apply online at http://www.norwalkca.gov/city-hall/departments/human-resources.  An employment application must be completed.  Resumes will not be accepted but in place of a City application. Applicant must be specific in describing qualifications for this position on application. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.  Faxed materials or postmarks will not be accepted.  Applications will be screened about the criteria outlined in the job announcement.  Candidates with qualifications that best relate to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.  Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure continuation in the selection process.  The selection process will include an oral interview and other testing processes designed to predict successful job performance.
 
The City provides preference to military veterans under consideration for initial employment. Applicants must submit their most recent DD214 form to claim a veteran's preference.  An eligible veteran has served in the United States armed forces and has received an honorable discharge.
 
Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be requested by calling the Department of Human Resources at least three (3) business days before the scheduled examination/interview date.  The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.  Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
 
The City of Norwalk, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in its employment actions, policies, procedures or practices.

Salary : $118,272 - $153,744