Emergency Management Specialist

The Emergency Management Specialist uses a full range of professional, administrative, and technical level skills to provide the Fire Chief/EMC with administrative and technical support on matters of significance with a high consequence of error requiring specialized knowledge in emergency management, community risk reduction, and geospatial information systems. The position requires the ability to interpret broadly defined policies and procedures and the ability to perform related duties as assigned. 

The primary focus of the Emergency Management Specialist relates broadly to the preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation functions of emergency management. In addition, the Emergency Management Specialist will assist with community risk reduction initiatives, Center for Public Safety of Excellence, CPSE, accreditation, and GIS data interpretation for the Fire Department. 

The position may require working hours outside the normal work schedule to assist with planned and unplanned events related to the emergency management function within the City of Scranton.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with the development, updating, and compiling of the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.
• Assists with the Scranton Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction, CRR, strategies, initiatives, and projects.
  • Community Rating System, CRS, under the National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP.
  • Semi-Quantitative Risk Assessment, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Flood Control Systems.
• Assists with all FEMA/PEMA Disaster Declaration projects to include management of the grant process, project management, and closeout procedures.
  • Assist City’s Emergency Management Coordinator with application process for disaster declarations including initial damage assessments and related processes. 
  • Works in coordination with the Scranton Police Department, Department of Public Works, City Project Management Team, and Code Enforcement, and City Planner with developing applicable scopes of work, RFP’s, RFQ’s, and contracts for disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation phases in the disaster management process/cycle.
• Assists with the management of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, CPSE, accreditation and credentialing for the Scranton Fire Department.
  • Community Risk Assessment, Community Driven Strategic Plan, and Standards of Cover development
  • Professional credentialing of members within the department.
• Assists Fire Chief/EMC and Fire Prevention Officer with geospatial information systems, GIS, and works with ArcGIS/ESRI to develop information platforms for decision making related to community risk reduction efforts.
• Project lead in the compiling of information and development of the Department’s Annual Report.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Three (3) years of experience in municipal, county, state, or federal government with emphasis in public safety, emergency management, or community risk reduction.
• Associate degree in public safety, emergency management, or related field is preferred.
• Read, clearly speak, and legibly write the English language. 
• Working knowledge and ability to work with ArcGIS or other geospatial platforms/solutions. 
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excell, Outlook, and PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, and other software systems as required. 
• Excellent customer service skills. 
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, using complex sentences, and proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar. 
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed instructions, prioritize multiple tasks, and work independently to meet deadlines. 
• Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and policies. 
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals. 
• Ability to work independently in the absence of supervision. 
• Ability to function successfully in a team environment. 
• Ability to analyze data and develop reports. 
• Ability to recognize and maintain confidential information.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR TRAINING

• Certified Flood Plain Manager 
• Pennsylvania Emergency Manager Certification (PEMA) 
• ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, & 800
• Additional years of experience of increasing responsibility within the fire department above the required minimum qualifications.
• Associate degree or higher in fire administration, fire science, or related field with course work in administration.
• Any other equivalent combination of experience/training that ensures the ability to perform the work requirements listed above. 
• Knowledge of the geography of the city, including the location of streets, and waterways.

Emergency Management Specialist | Job Description