STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Emergency Management Program Specialist

Hybrid

Recruitment #240322-0511AR-001

Introduction



Are you looking to grow your career in Emergency Management? If so, take a look at this great opportunity with the State of Connecticut!

      WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
      In addition, the State puts an emphasis on:
      • Providing limitless opportunities;
      • Hiring for diversity and fresh perspectives;
      • Performing meaningful work and;
      • Encouraging a healthy work/life balance!
      POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
      • This position is full-time, following a first shift schedule, 40 hours per week, scheduled Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
      • This position also offers the opportunity to work in a hybrid environment with the potential of following a flex schedule.
      • In this position, the incumbent will serve as hazard mitigation grant program coordinator, develop hazard and risk assessments and profiles, draft natural hazard plans to include topics such as resiliency and climate change. 
      ABOUT US
      DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology.

      For an inside look at what it is like to be an Employee for the State of Connecticut, watch the video below!

       

      Selection Plan

      Before you apply:
      • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
      • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified. 
      • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
      • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@CT.Gov.
      • For assistance in applying, please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
      Important information for after you apply:
      Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview: 

      State Employees
      • Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
      • Completed CT-HR-13
      Non-State Employees
      • Two (2) professional references contact information (Name, Email, and Phone Number)
      • Completed CT-HR-13
      Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process. 

      Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field. 

      • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
      • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
      • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
      • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
      • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.
      Questions about this position should be directed to Alejandro G. Dávila-Hurtado at Alejandro.Davila-Hurtado@CT.Gov.

      PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

      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.

      EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

      • Prepares periodic reports;
      • Uses personal computers to develop and maintain databases;
      • 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;
      • Performs related duties as assigned.
      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;
      • Performs related duties as required.
      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;
      • Performs related duties as required.

      KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

      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.

      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

      • 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.
      • 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.
      • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

      PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

      • Experience in emergency planning, program management, grants administration, and natural hazard mitigation and resiliency; 
      • Experience developing goals and objectives, evaluation standards, timetables, other program components, and department policy for program area and individual projects; 
      • Experience in natural and man-made hazard risk assessments and reporting;
      • Experience communicating in writing and orally with internal and external stakeholders (local, state, federal, non-profit and private sector partners); and 
      • Experience with preparing reports and statewide plans or sections of plans related to emergency management.

      SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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

      CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

      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.

      Conclusion

      AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

      As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.