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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50367912 |
Description Activated On: 2/27/2026 3:25:33 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Schedule E Week 1 Sat Off Sun Off Mon X Tue X Wed X Thu Off Fri Off Week 2 Sat X Sun X Mon X Tue Off Wed Off Thu Off Fri Off Major position responsibilities include the collection, coordination and analysis of time critical emergency incident and/or disaster information from municipal, county, various governmental entities, Commonwealth emergency organizations, open sources, media and non-governmental organizations to provide early warning, response, recovery and guidance resources. Employees must obtain, analyze and prioritize incoming data; determine appropriate response actions; convert information to data format, maintain a chronological log of events and actions, disseminate relevant information to appropriate individuals and organizations. Employees assist the Commonwealth Watch and Warning Center (CWWC) Supervisor in receiving and coordinating communications through the CWWC. Handles the intake, analysis, notification and processing of incidents, as well as preparedness, planning and resource coordination activities. Monitors all sources of information and evaluates appropriate disposition. Participates in efforts to improve operations |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Daily Operations Assists in the implementation of agency strategic initiatives in communication interoperability, rapid and effective activation, information analysis, media monitoring, threat and hazard identification and other strategic priorities. Utilizes all available resources to ensure open lines of communication with state and local agencies prior to and during all hazard events. Functions on a shift basis, in accordance with guidelines provided by the Director, Office of Internal Operations and the Emergency Management Supervisor for a 24-hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week schedule with routine and emergency operations in the Commonwealth Watch and Warning Center (CWWC). Performs response/recovery, situation awareness, resource support and planning functions using information analysis and standard operating guidelines to provide immediate assistance to any state agency, county or municipality during day to day operations and emergency incidents or disaster activities. Conducts briefings to provide critical and decision making information to supervisory personnel, agency senior management, and senior executive leadership staff. Becomes familiar with agency primary mission functions as related to other Emergency Management Specialists working outside the CWWC and collect and disseminate information to support their primary job functions. Coordinates response actions with the Commonwealth’s department Agency Representatives. Specialized Communications Maintain proficiency in all current and future modes of communication and equipment. Alerts all state officials and agencies, counties, federal agencies and contiguous states in the event of emergency warnings, such as national nuclear attack, severe weather, hazardous materials spills, nuclear power plant incidents, terrorism, etc. Operates a 2-way radio console, utilize computer terminals and a telephone to receive and prioritize incoming messages, relaying information and entering information. Establishes and maintains telephone, radio and satellite communications with incident locations, PEMA areas and county emergency management agencies to acquire disaster damage/injury data and compile for submission to the Federal government when requesting disaster assistance. Develop and maintain proficiency on all audio/visual systems in the CWWC, the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center (CRCC) and throughout the building. Develop and maintain proficiency in multimedia communications such as conference calling, bridge lines, Video Tele-Conferencing (VTC) WebEx or other systems and software. Looks for and recommends enhancements to communications – equipment, software, technology. Information Gathering/Analysis Performs the collecting, analysis and processing of information from disparate sources such as local, county state and federal reports, media broadcasts, open source media, radio traffic, internet searches, open source video feeds, NOC media, partner agency reports and others to produce timely caveated alerts followed by vetted actionable information. Participates in the CWWC coordination and management of initial emergency response support missions and functions including implementing initial crisis response action plan, initiating mission assignments to activate other State agencies, and identifying appropriate and available resources. Performs critical thinking and its application against Standard Operating Guideline’s (SOG), Multiple Incident Tagging And Notification Guidance (MITANG) and other guidance. Following SOGs, notification guidelines in MITANG, Executive Notifications, Partner Agency requirements and periodic updates, Watch Officers: -Are responsible for ensuring timely and accurate information concerning emergency events is conveyed to partner agencies, private sector organizations and senior PEMA staff. -Receive and process information and notifications required by drills, exercises and actual emergencies or events. -Are responsible for the timely and proper dissemination and disposition of radiological and other hazardous shipment information. -Are responsible for and the proper handling, dissemination and disposal of sensitive information. Monitor and maintain situation awareness of local, regional statewide and national weather, emergent incidents and special interest events and other activities for potential operational consequences and providing timely and accurate notifications, briefings or reports to senior PEMA staff with operational recommendations and projections or forecasts of future impacts. Enables information sharing capabilities between the CWWC, other State Agencies and Local Agencies. Supports the efforts of the CWWC in information dissemination to all State Agencies and Local Agencies, as well as neighboring states. Gathers and analyzes information in coordination with External Operations related to National Incident Management System (NIMS) typed teams, Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), and other statewide deployable assets to track readiness and deploy ability for use during terrorist attacks and other all hazard events Utilizes available resources to maintain situational awareness of all potential or occurring terrorist and all hazard events for the CWWC. Provide support to the CWWC in coordinating and managing initial emergency response missions and functions including implementing initial crisis response action plan, initiating mission assignments to activate other State agencies, and identifying appropriate and available resources. Participate in the development of standard operating guidelines, plans, and policy documents related to emergency operations and response during non-incident periods. Perform special studies or analyses to assess the magnitude of a planned or emergent event or disaster; to include analysis of initial impact and the resources available for response, and how the initial, current, and prevailing conditions will contribute to the disaster. Support the agency’s mission and goals and assist in the development of agency-wide programs and policies. Provides instant retrieval of Emergency Warning Information, special hazardous materials information and access outside agency databases for information vital to PEMA’s operation during emergencies or incidents. Develops and designs special databases utilizing agency standard database software and maintain other various databases by providing initial data input, making changes to existing data, and eliminating outdated or erroneous data through a data review process. Implements the agency’s database for briefings of officials during emergencies and scheduled demonstrations for visitors. Learns basic concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data retrieval process Prepares and enters, by keystroke into a computer, a chronological log of all events and incidents during the shift. Provides weekly and “as required” written and voice situation reports, during emergencies or disasters, or significant events and scheduled or anticipated emergency disaster activities. Initiates, reviews and prepares correspondence memoranda, and other document as directed or required. Correspondence includes such items as: SOGs, equipment-specific checklists, emergency management checklists, situation reports executive summaries and briefing materials. Research and provided analysis and reports on complex issues. Provide technical reporting of meteorology, hydrology, seismology, geospatial, and other subjects to ensure appropriate information is provided to facilitate sound analysis. Utilize the necessary software, systems, and processes needed to analyze data and create reports then crosscheck the data to make sure the reports are accurate. Identify issues and information gaps in reporting and analysis of operational information. Coordinate or assist in research with other local, regional, state, or federal agencies to obtain needed information. Design and conduct computer modeling. Activation Roles During an activation of the CRCC, may work in the CRCC as part of the response organization assigned to work for the Situation Awareness Section or the Resource Support Section as needed, performing duties described above or other tasks as assigned. Planning/Training/Exercises Participates in planning workgroups as they relate to incident response, resource allocation and tracking systems. Develops departmental plans and standard operating procedures for terrorist attacks and other all hazard events that coordinate between jurisdictions and better facilitate the CWWC’s response to the events. Provides input for the development of CWWC response training and exercises for all hazard events. Assists in the training of other Watch team members/augmenters and Commonwealth Agency Representatives in the use of telecommunications equipment and operational coordination. Develop exercise scenarios and supporting data and act as program manager during the exercise. Participates in exercises for testing of operational plans, procedures and policies. Maintain situational awareness of local, regional, statewide and national level events that may require a state agency response and make operational recommendations, projections, or forecasts about future expectations. Preparing plans and reports or other working documents related to complex issues and coordinate the contributions of others to the documents. Testing/Reporting Conducts periodic operational tests of dedicated circuitry, coordinating deficiencies with the Bureau of Technical Services. Conducts checks and of equipment, software, procedures Operates all automation/computer equipment in the CWWC. Makes reports, enters tickets and follows up on discrepancies. Maintains and tests personal skills in the use of equipment, software, systems and other requirements, especially low use or low demand skills. Proofreads own work and assists other watch officers with proofreading to limit errors Miscellaneous Participates in CWWC-related research projects or studies as assigned by the Director of Operations and Training or the Emergency Management Supervisor. Attends all required classes, schools, seminars, lectures and workshops provided by the agency deemed necessary as a job-knowledge skill for Emergency Management Specialists assigned to a watch position within the CWWC. Thoroughly understands the basic concepts of severe weather forecasting information provided by the National Weather Service and analyze then disseminate required information to specific state and county Emergency Management Agencies. Perform ancillary and related duties such as training officer, exercise officer, employee engagement representative, safety officer, contact management or others as deemed necessary in the unit. Travel as needed or directed including to disaster sites. Performs related and other duties as required or assigned. Operate a motor vehicle to travel to various field sites and emergency/disaster locations. Responsible for completing mandatory FEMA Independent Study Courses as requested. Including: IS-100 Introduction to ICS IS-700 Introduction to NIMS IS-800 National Response Framework IS 2200 – Basic EOC Functions (online) Certain positions require certification in the FEMA Professional Development Series(PDS) or the Emergency Management Professionals Program(EMPP) Basic Academy courses, within six months of hire. Performs other related duties as assigned. NOTATION OF SCHEDULE: During an emergency, employee may be required to work shifts that differ from normally assigned. Employee may have their work schedule and/or hours changed or modified based on the emergency and assignment needs. Except for emergencies, changes to schedules and work hours will be provided at least two weeks in advance. EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT This employee is an Essential Worker. Performs tasks to be assigned during periods of emergencies. Such tasks may differ from normal day-today routine. These emergency assignments are, at times, received with little or no advance notice and may last for any period of time ranging from a few hours to several weeks or more, depending on the nature of the circumstance. The emergency assignments are sometimes performed under adverse (less than favorable) conditions and may require travel to a disaster site for short or extended periods of time. This position performs operational assignments as required during actual emergencies. Position may serve in the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center and must be available to work outside of the employee’s normal work hours when activated. Operate a motor vehicle to travel to various field sites and emergency/disaster locations. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Responsible for decision making related to external notifications and information dissemination, initial action or resource requests, execution of applicable plans, procedures and checklists, and interim COOP implementation. When acting for the Supervisor, makes decisions regarding adequate staffing and overtime for immediate workload issues due to weather, incident workload, illness call offs, employee leave within Bureau guidelines and notification to the Internal Operations Director of the decision. May decide to deviate from guidance when necessary to assure customer service and appropriate incident response as long as deviation enhances situational awareness, common operating picture or response for the Agency, partner agency or customer. Duties involve independent judgement concerning processes to be followed, the appropriateness of information to be processed and the actions taken. Work is performed with considerable independence and limited review, however changes in standards, work policies, relaxation of guidelines or escalation of complexity or sensitivity requires escalation and discussion with the Internal Operations Director or higher prior to implement that action. Position responsibilities and duties are carried out in accordance with established Commonwealth and Agency policies, practices and guidelines. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Achieve Basic Qualification per the PEMA Qualification System within a year of hire or implementation of the PQS, whichever is later. Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. OTHER 2. Class C Driver's License 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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