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Emergency Management Operations Manager

Category: Exempt
Pay Grade: E26 
Job Code: 10978

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.  Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. 

JOB SUMMARY

Performs advanced professional, administrative, supervisory and technical work supporting and assisting the Director with the daily operations of the Emergency Management (EM) department.  The position performs in a highly independent leadership role day to day and during activation of the County Emergency Operations Center; leads, oversees EM operations, planning, and coordination and monitoring of programs; performs difficult and advanced duties in delegated operations and diverse programs of EM.  The incumbent is responsible for ensuring seamless coordination and oversight of specific phases of the EM divisions activities such as planning, preparedness, readiness, response operations and recovery.  Work is performed under general supervision of the Director with considerable independent judgement and initiative exercised in carrying out the daily operations of the division.  The position reports to the EM Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)

• Provides leadership and management principles and processes for a division within EM to include working directly with the director for the effective operation of the department, which includes the oversight of time cards, purchasing, contract negotiations and monitoring, programmatic budgeting, report management, employee hiring and development and supervision of assigned staff;
• Oversees Program Leads and other personnel and coordinates activities within their division assignments;
• Serves as Director in the absence of the Director or as requested;
• Ensures divisional oversight for strategic planning and implementation of innovative and efficient maintenance of position assignments, plans, databases and coordinates with internal and external partners to ensure operational status and compliance with deadlines;
• Performs analysis of data and systems to identify areas for improvement, support community or partner requests of threats, hazards, resource capability, and provide professionally written documents;
• Identifies potential funding sources, initiate grant proposals and support the management of grants to enhance emergency management programs and activities;
• Takes responsibility for the development, update, review and implementation of departmental strategic, operational and tactical level plans and ensures compliance and congruence with local, state and Federal planning criteria and guidance;
• Exercises oversight responsibility for the development of departmental procedures as they pertain to both the EM office and the Emergency Operations Center; 
• Exercises oversight responsibility for ensuring readiness across all programmatic areas including planning, training, exercises, equipment, resources and contracts;
• Coordinates and communicates plans, planning initiatives and overall program updates with County departments, municipalities, adjacent and regional counties, and the state;
• Assists and supports the Director with participation and support of planning, training and exercise initiatives with various regional groups such as FDEM Region 4 meetings, Tampa Bay UASI and RDSTF;
• Fulfills a highly responsible supervisory role during Emergency Operations Center activations as a Section Chief or filling in for the Director as needed;
• Assists and supports the Director with management of the County’s Federal and state disaster cost recovery efforts;
• Responds to requests for information and assistance and prepares reports or correspondence to the state, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), elected officials, municipalities, County departments, and other disaster related agencies;
• Maintains and demonstrates an understanding of current Federal and state guidance for planning, training exercises, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation;
• Demonstrates understanding and promotes internal and external compliance of disaster declaration processes including documentation, project worksheets, public and individual assistance and available programs;
• Ensures compliance with Federal, state and local regulations and guidance;
• Analyzes and prepares summation of new guidance and legislation, to promote internal and external understanding of Federal and state guidance and legislation for all phases of emergency management including planning, training and exercises and oversight of local compliance;
• Promotes internal and external understanding of hazard mitigation program and collaboration to assist with identification and implementation;
• Coordinates with the Director for hiring, ensuring compliance with county policies and procedures;
• Supervises staff and writes performance evaluations, issues counseling forms/disciplinary actions, handles employee complaints and grievances and recommends hiring, termination and promotion of staff;
• Participates in staff development through the identification and implementation of suitable opportunities and certifications and monitors career path and ladder accomplishments;
• Assists in the development and monitoring of the department’s strategic plan, metrics, aligning measurable objectives to the budget;
• Assists the Director with the development and /or delivery of reports and / or presentations for County Administration and/or the Board of County Commissioners (BCC);
• Establishes, facilitates and delivers outreach and training to community and civic organizations to further the whole community response of EM for all phases;
• Coordinates mutual aid response of County personnel, county partners or volunteers as appropriate for disaster response, ensuring all County policies are followed;
• Administers and oversees the department’s Duty Officer Program, directing and coordinating the tasks of staff members to support incident response as necessary;
• May be asked to work indoors or outdoors depending upon the needs of the office or activation;
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Must possess (or be eligible for) designation as a Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) (or equivalent) or a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) with twelve (12) years of directly related professional experience in emergency management, emergency preparedness, response or recovery, or related field and program administration experience that includes at least two (2) years of direct responsible management or supervisory experience, documented  disaster response or recovery experience; or an Associate’s degree and ten (10) years of experience as described; or a Bachelor’s degree and eight (8) years’ experience as described; or a Master’s degree and six (6) years of experience as described; or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience.

Special Qualifications (May be required depending on area of assignment):

• Florida Driver’s License or Florida Commercial Driver’s License and endorsement, if any.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
• Candidate to demonstrate highly advanced proficiency, competency, and satisfactory completion of management of regularly assigned work and oversight of subordinates, in an independent manner.
• Candidate to have or be eligible to apply for and maintain an International Association of Emergency Managers or Florida Emergency Preparedness Association certification within one (1) year of hire.
• Employee’s name must not appear on the Health & Human Services exclusion list.
• Other knowledge, skills, abilities, and credentials required for a specific position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of policies and principles of emergency management and ability to apply this knowledge in varied work situations, planning, training, and exercises;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration;
• Knowledge of Federal and state disaster programs, policies, and procedures;
• Knowledge of Federal and state homeland security policies, procedures, and capabilities;
• Knowledge of the Threat, Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and all hazards that pose a threat to the county, including vulnerable populations and at risk communities,  critical facilities, resource availability, protective measures, and human needs, built environment, environmental and economic impacts;
• Knowledge of hazardous weather principles, along with the identification of tools for monitoring and plans and procedures to address appropriate protective measures and response in relation to their effects on lives and property, specifically Tropical Weather Systems, Tornadoes, flood threats and climate change related issues;
• Knowledge of all hazards as identified in both the State and County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans as well as the Local Mitigation Strategy and development of and implementation of planning, training and exercises to ensure operational readiness;
• Knowledge of and ability to assess proposed or actual changes to state, Federal and local legislation, land use and development, procurement and other policies related to emergency management.
• Knowledge of communications systems, principals, and procedures;
• Knowledge of government budgeting, administrative, legal and personnel procedures and the ability to apply this knowledge;
• Ability to write professional and concise reports and plans and speak clearly, concisely, and effectively;
• Ability to work under pressure for extended periods;
• Ability to prioritize and make quick decisions;
• Ability to maintain situational awareness, manage multiple projects and meet deadlines, even when accelerated;
• Ability to obtain consensus/support for plans and procedures county-wide;
• Ability to speak professionally and with confidence to provide accurate information to the BCC, County Administration, other Federal, state or local partners, the media and the public at large on emergency management topics;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with entities across all sectors, including but not limited to governmental agencies, civic groups, and other interested organizations;
• Ability to conduct research, develop and  review strategic, operational and tactical level emergency plans as well as prepare professional reports of a technical nature in relation to emergency management;
• Ability to use small office equipment and computers;
• Ability to identify new technology systems that may improve or enhance operations and determine process for potential implementation.  

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

The work is light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.  Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Visual Acuity: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an environment where errors can lead to significant physical or mental consequences for self or others.