03/16/2004 75945

ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATOR

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

An employee in this job assists the regional Environmental Emergency Response Manager in the overall management of the regional emergency response program by coordinating specific operational, logistical and programmatic elements. Work involves reviewing schedules to ensure adequate coverage for after-hours incidents, planning and participating in hazardous material exercises, determining emergency equipment and supply needs, and serving as a duty officer to assess notices of emergencies and dispatch emergency response team members. As an on-scene coordinator, work involves independently determining staff and resources needed, directing team members and other agency staff dispatched to the incident, coordinating response activities with first responders, the EPA and other agencies, issuing field orders for any of the regional environmental protection programs, implementing and managing emergency cleanup contracts, and monitoring contractors performing response and recovery activities. Work may also involve ensuring proper maintenance and calibration of equipment, serving as the primary trainer for emergency response and health and safety training, and providing logistical and communications support. Important aspects of the work involve directing staff outside established reporting relationships during emergencies, and representing the region and the Department on interagency committees and task forces. Work is reviewed by the Environmental Emergency Response Manager for results achieved through observations, conferences and reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Assists in the management of the emergency response program in one of the six regional offices in the Department of Environmental Protection.

Directs the deployment of regional office 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, implements and administers emergency contracts to mitigate adverse effects on public health and safety or the environment.

Ensures 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.

Assigns or authorizes overtime work to ensure priority work is performed.

Provides input to the performance evaluations of regional emergency response team members on their availability, participation in training sessions and effectiveness as a team member.

Represents the Department at scheduled terrorism related meetings, workshops, seminars and training as assigned by the Environmental Emergency Response Manager.

Provides information to public relations staff for distribution to the news media.

Participates on committees, advisory groups, ad hoc groups and commissions dealing with emergency response program issues.

Oversees and conducts regional health, safety and security training as assigned by the Environmental Emergency Response Manager.

Assists regional programs in coordinating compliance activity during extended or unusual pollution incidents.

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.

Researches and recommends the purchase of supplies, equipment and protective devices related to the emergency response program, and provides training to regional emergency response team members and other regional technical staff in their proper use, maintenance and calibration.

Develops and presents technical training in 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.

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 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.

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 the organization and functions of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Knowledge of current 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 within the assigned region.

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 by employees, in responding to chemical or toxic spills.

Knowledge of emergency purchasing and contracting procedures.

Ability to direct emergency response operations and to make decisions quickly and calmly while responding to emergency and disaster situations.

Ability to plan, organize and assign work to emergency response team members and to evaluate their performance.

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

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to perform the mathematical calculations required by the work activities.

Ability to train members of the regional emergency response team and other regional personnel in the proper use, application, maintenance and calibration of emergency response test equipment, supplies and protective devices.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to operate an emergency response vehicle to travel to various work sites.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A bachelor’s degree in an engineering or scientific field related to environmental protection, and two years of professional environmental protection experience, including one year as a regional emergency response team member;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year as a regional emergency response team member.

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