JOB TITLE: DIRECTOR, EXTERNAL OPERATIONS OFFICE, PEMA

JOB CODE: 76189

DEFINITION: This is responsible administrative work in directing all aspects of external response operations in the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

The employee in this job is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the External Operations Office. Work involves developing, implementing, and interpreting policies and procedures for the development, staffing, mobilization, deployment, training, and setting of training and certification standards for specialized response teams; directing and managing PEMA’s participation in state and federal mutual aid systems; and determining supply and equipment quantities needed to support disaster response and recovery operations. An important aspect of this work involves developing policies to direct the deployment of resources including equipment, personnel, and supplies across the commonwealth in response to disaster response and recovery operations; developing policies and procedures which control the request and utilization of PEMA’s emergency response resources by local political subdivisions; providing on-site leadership at various emergency situations; and ensuring compliance with a variety of federal and state laws and funding agreements related to the development, utilization, and maintenance of disaster and emergency response resources. Supervision is exercised over a professional staff. Work is received in the form of broad goals, objectives, and program priorities. Work is performed under the general direction of the Deputy Director for Response, PEMA, and is reviewed for conformance to established standards and for results obtained.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Develops, implements, and interprets policies, procedures, and rules related to the deployment and utilization of emergency management resources during disaster response and recovery operations.

• Manages the administrative and operational aspects of Specialized Statewide Response Teams (SSRT) to include responsibility for developing policies and procedures associated with team development, staffing, mobilization, deployment, training, and setting of qualification standards.

• Develops, implements, amends, and interprets policies, procedures, and regulations related to reimbursement of state funds to teams responding to an incident.

• Coordinates, in conjunction with other state, regional, and local agencies, the inventorying and cataloging of various specialized response teams and resources available throughout the commonwealth.

• Oversees the maintenance of warehouses, and equipment and supplies stored in the warehouses, which may be used in response to emergency situations or to support recovery operations throughout the commonwealth.

• Serves as a liaison between PEMA and the SSRTs as well as affiliated government agencies, professional associations, and appropriate private and public sector organizations.

• Develops and presents briefings, orientations, and seminars as required.

• Oversees and manages the Pennsylvania Intrastate Mutual Aid System (PIMAS) in accordance with Act 93 of 2008.

• Oversees the management and administration of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) program for the commonwealth, to include processing of requests for assistance and coordinating any response to requests for assistance from other states.

• Oversees and manages the All Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) to include management of the IMT professional qualifications system.

• Functions as an agency representative and performs agency related emergency duties on a 24 hours, seven (7) day a week basis during emergencies and disaster response operations.

• Manages, directs, and coordinates state provided or coordinated special rescue services.

• Acts as the PEMA representative to Incident Commanders or Unified Command in response to requests for PEMA assistance, guidance, or support from counties or local jurisdictions during incident response, training sessions, or exercises.

• Assists in the development of operational budgets, grants, and cooperative agreements in order to further develop or sustain programs.

• Coordinates related external disaster programs and activities among governmental agencies, non-governmental entities, and private sector partners.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the theory, principles, techniques, and practices of emergency management operations.

• Knowledge of emergency management preparedness and response plans, policies, procedures, regulations, capabilities, and resources.

• Knowledge of emergency management systems.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to interpret and apply legislation and regulations.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be evaluated by the State Civil Service Commission or used for Civil Service examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Knowledge of legislation relative to public health and safety and emergency response and management programs.

• Knowledge of warehousing methods and procedures used in the receipt, storage, and issuance of a variety of goods.

• Knowledge of safe working practices and procedures as required in a disaster environment.

• Knowledge of the capabilities and applications of a variety of communications devices as related to emergency management operations programs.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• Six years of professional emergency management experience in disaster operations, public safety, or related emergency services programs that includes four years of emergency response experience which involved the direct delivery of services or management of operations for a municipal, county, regional, state, or federal agency involved in emergency or disaster response, and one year of supervisory experience, and a bachelor’s degree in public administration, public safety, or a closely related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes four years of emergency response experience which involved in the direct delivery of services or management of operations for a municipal, county, regional, state, or federal agency involved in emergency or disaster response, and one year of supervisory experience.