Emergency Management Program Specialist

Looking for a new challenge?

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), is accepting applications for a full-time Emergency Management Program Specialist position. This position is located within the Division’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Unit.

This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position located in Middletown.

We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year!

JOB DETAILS

This position will focus on implementation of the state’s radiological emergency program and will be responsible for, among other duties:

• Drafting, review, and revision of state and local plans, public information products, and other documents.
• Delivery of planning and response training and education to the public, local and state workers and other partners.
• Coordinate or otherwise participate in REP drills and exercises.
• Assist with the training on and distribution of radiological instruments and equipment.

The successful applicant will be expected to support emergency operation, including during State Emergency Operations Center activations.

Candidate selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview: 

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Department of Public Health, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in planning, monitoring, evaluating and implementing the State's Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Plans, Homeland Security Plans or statewide public health emergency preparedness plans and drills.

May serve as assistant to an Incident Commander or as an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Assistant Operations Officer (functional titles) in simulated or actual events; may serve as EOC communications duty officer, including Emergency Alert System Coordinator; may serve as agency public information officer; attends meetings, workshops, conferences and training sessions; prepares periodic reports; uses personal computers to develop and maintain databases; performs related duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION

RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM: Develops and updates the Radiological Emergency Response Plans (RERP), as required in Section 28-31 of the Connecticut General Statutes, to respond to and recover from the effects of a catastrophic event at a nuclear power plant; provides technical support in the areas of research, planning, data collection, data analysis and training for state agencies and local community emergency responders; implements the Connecticut Radiological Emergency Response Plan; acts as liaison to the Federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and local communities and agencies; aids in development of state and local RERP mitigation measures, including developing new programs to implement new national public precautionary actions; develops and updates public information publications; gives briefings; trains state and local officials in the preparation of long-term plans compatible with federal and state plans; develops, reviews and revises RERP training programs, including conducting annual and biannual drills and exercises; analyzes and prepares evaluations of Connecticut’s emergency preparedness status; analyzes technical information regarding transportation resources.

CATASTROPHIC ALL HAZARDS PROGRAM: Develops and updates plans to respond to and recover from the effects of a wide range of catastrophic all hazards events, including terrorism/homeland security events; provides technical support in the areas of research, planning, data collection, data analysis and training for state agencies and local community emergency responders; maintains and implements the State’s Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness (CEMP) Plans, procedures and guidance documents; supports planning for hazard-specific events such as homeland security/terrorism events, major aircraft accidents, debris management, mass casualty and other topics; acts as liaison to the Federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and local communities and agencies; aids in development of local CEMP mitigation programs, plans and measures; assists local communities in developing grant applications, guidelines, programs and protocols; coordinates activities of State and Federal Disaster Assessment Teams; administers the Public Assistance (PA) and Individual Assistance (IA) programs; develops and updates public information publications; gives briefings; participates in Emergency Operations Center Operations; participates in periodic drills and exercises; analyzes and prepares evaluations of Connecticut’s emergency preparedness status; coordinates and provides staff support for multi-agency emergency preparedness committees and work groups; researches, identifies and recommends emergency preparedness equipment and systems to improve readiness of state and local agencies.

GRANTS ADMINISTRATION: Performs specialized related duties in the area of grants management; performs research including needs analysis, literature review and regulations critique to identify problems and determine priorities; develops alternatives; gathers information related to program area; develops goals and objectives, evaluation standards, timetables, other program components and department policy for program area and individual projects; facilitates direct grant process; provides technical assistance and acts as resource person to grantees; evaluates program proposals and applications for conformance with regulations and state goals; recommends funding; monitors and assesses ongoing programs for conformance to reporting requirements, general budget and timetable guidelines and program effectiveness; prepares quarterly and annual reports and statewide annual plan or section of plan related to program area; attends meetings of appropriate state, local and regional organizations and performs other liaison functions to coordinate efforts in program area.

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION

RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM: Knowledge of information dissemination practices and techniques; knowledge of the principles of nuclear power generation and the principles of radiological hazards; knowledge of federal and state regulations applicable to emergency management and associated programs; knowledge of personal computers, desktop publishing and database management; knowledge of the incident command system; knowledge of equipment and systems used in a radiological emergency; knowledge of current state and local RERP plans and procedures; knowledge of the background and objectives of emergency management programs; knowledge of the nature and effects of various types of natural and man-made disasters; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to analyze problems, interpret data, determine alternatives and propose solutions; ability to prepare and present oral reports of considerable complexity with clarity and persuasiveness; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to prepare comprehensive hazard response plans; ability to utilize computer software.

CATASTROPHIC ALL HAZARDS PROGRAM: Knowledge of information dissemination practices and techniques; knowledge of the principles and phases of emergency management/preparedness; knowledge of federal and state regulations applicable to emergency preparedness/homeland security and associated programs; knowledge of personal computers, desktop publishing and database management; knowledge of the incident command system; knowledge of current state and local CEMP plans and procedures; knowledge of the background and objectives of emergency management programs; knowledge of the nature and effects of various types of natural and man-made disasters; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to analyze problems, interpret data, determine alternatives and propose solutions; ability to prepare and present oral reports of considerable complexity with clarity and persuasiveness; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to prepare comprehensive hazard response plans; ability to utilize computer software.

GRANTS ADMINISTRATION: Considerable knowledge of grant preparation and administration; considerable knowledge of program evaluation and monitoring functions; knowledge of research methods and techniques; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; some supervisory ability; ability to utilize computer software.

Six (6) years of experience in planning, technical writing, program management, grants administration, training or public information.
Note: Planning is defined as collecting and analyzing technical data (social, environmental, economic, governmental), determining problems and concerns and developing long term plans accordingly. These are formal, written plans, i.e. statements of goals and objectives, recommended alternatives for action and policies and programs to achieve the goals and objectives. Generally, these plans will impact statewide activities or a large-scale corporation, which has branch or satellite facilities. Candidates must perform these types of duties the majority of time and the planning function must be the major thrust of the job.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in emergency preparedness/homeland security, planning, public administration, public information or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Demonstrated ability to draft complex planning, training and exercise documents.
• Familiarity with Emergency Management and Homeland Security initiatives and systems.
• Familiarity with radiological emergency preparedness would be a plus but not required.
• Experience organizing, leading, coordinating and documenting meetings and training sessions.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast moving environment, including during activations of the State Emergency Operations Center.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
3. Emergency management drills and actual emergencies may require work outside of normal hours.
4. On-call status may be required.

DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and/or the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection before persons are certified for appointment.

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.