05/07/2009 75943

ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE MANAGER

DEFINITION: This is professional and managerial work directing the emergency response program in a Department of Environmental Protection regional office.

An employee in this job plans, directs, implements, coordinates and evaluates regional environmental emergency response program activities, and directs staff and resources during environmental emergencies, such as natural disasters, toxic or hazardous materials spills and releases, chemical fires, floods and incidents of terrorism. Work involves conducting program planning and assessing program effectiveness, selecting and training emergency response team members, supervising one or more environmental emergency response coordinators, and authorizing the purchase of detection and personal safety equipment. Work also involves providing technical advice and support to state and federal agencies, regional counter terrorism task forces, and local first responders on emergency planning, coordination and training matters. An important aspect of this work involves acting with the authority of the regional director in emergency situations with regard to staff deployment, enforcement action, emergency contracting and media relations. Work is reviewed for program effectiveness by the assistant regional director through observation, conferences and reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, schedules, implements, directs, coordinates and evaluates all program activities involving the emergency response program in one of the six regional offices in the Department of Environmental Protection, including establishing regional program goals, objectives, priorities, policies and procedures.

Directs the deployment of regional staff in response to natural and manmade disasters.

Assesses health, safety and environmental hazards during emergencies and recommends to officials measures for the protection of the public, protection of emergency workers and the containment, collection, mitigation and removal of contaminants released into the environment.

Develops, awards, implements and administers emergency contracts to mitigate adverse effects on public health and safety or the environment.

Develops, implements and manages a program designed to ensure adequate staff coverage to respond to emergencies and disasters during non-working hours, weekends and holidays.

Issues field orders in any regional environmental protection program area in order to compel the immediate implementation of mitigation measures and removal activities.

Participates on statewide emergency response efforts including the development of policies and procedures to address new and emerging threats.

Prepares budget and re-budget requests for the emergency response program.

Represents the regional director in managing regional health, safety and security issues through subordinates and regional committees.

Develops training courses, seminars and workshops for members of the regional emergency response team and regional technical staff who may be required to respond to disasters or Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incidents to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

Serves as the liaison and coordinator between Department staff and county emergency management agency personnel.

Approves purchases of safety supplies, equipment and protective devices related to all programs, and provides training to regional emergency response team members and other regional technical staff in their proper use, maintenance and calibration.

Ensures compliance with federal and state training requirements mandated under OSHA and the Right to Know regulations.

Serves as a State Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) Officer in the planning, preparedness and response to terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction, and serves as a DEP regional point of contact on terrorism matters.

Coordinates a response plan to biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical and explosive (BNICE) weapons, with emphasis of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) for determinations of probable effects on population and appropriate responses.

Advises Department Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers and Executive Staff on the impact of the incident on the organization and its mission, what actions should be taken to preserve the work force, rapid response procedures and the imminent requirements for recovery.

Provides technical environmental or health and safety direction to subordinates on unusual or difficult problems.

Serves as the principal spokesperson to answer questions and to release information regarding Departmental actions and activities during disasters, in conjunction with the agency’s public liaison staff.

Participates on committees, advisory groups, ad hoc groups and commissions dealing with emergency response program issues including the Regional Counter Terrorism Task Force, EPA Inland Area Committee, Field Operations safety committee and local emergency planning committees.

Maintains appropriate liaison with federal, state, county and local response agencies.

Provides information to facility operators, Commonwealth and municipal officials, consultants, special interest groups, federal officials and the public regarding Departmental functions, rules, regulations, policies and procedures regarding spill reporting, mitigation measures and removal activities.

Testifies as an expert witness before District Magistrates, the Environmental Hearing Board or the courts.

Delivers speeches and presentations to a wide variety of groups and individuals regarding the emergency response program.

Prepares letters, reports, memoranda and correspondence to exchange information and to explain Departmental actions.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with county emergency management agency officials, State Police officials, local police officials, public and volunteer fire company officials, local government officials and other individuals involved in responding to and managing emergency situations to exchange information, promote cooperation, seek assistance, establish lines of authority and ensure disasters are handled in a timely and efficient manner.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Operates a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of theories, principles, practices and techniques of emergency management organization.

Knowledge of the biological, chemical and physical sciences utilized in environmental protection emergency response.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in preparing and managing emergency response plans and programs.

Knowledge of issues, practices and programs involving homeland security from an environmental protection standpoint.

Knowledge of the emergency response plans, policies, functions, resources and capabilities of local governmental units and other groups involved in emergency response.

Knowledge of the principles, methods, techniques, practices and laboratory work applicable to public health toxicology.

Knowledge of the procedures and techniques utilized in the investigation of hazardous or toxic chemical spills and cleanup operations.

Knowledge of the common chemicals used in industry, schools and institutions and the safety precautions required for their use, exposure control, handling, storage and disposal.

Knowledge of the safety precautions, including personal safety equipment used in responding to chemical or toxic spills.

Ability to read and interpret technical material relating to emergency response, occupational safety, public health toxicology and environmental counter terrorism crisis and consequence management.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Three years as an Environmental Emergency Response Coordinator;

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Five years of professional environmental protection experience, and a bachelor’s degree in an engineering or scientific field related to environmental protection;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.