State Emergency On-Scene Coordinator

 

The Emergency Prevention and Response Section (EPRS) includes the Emergency Response Group (ERG).  Responders work with the officers in DNREC's Environmental Crimes Unit and additional volunteer DNREC staff to form DNREC's Emergency Response Team (ERT). 

 

Click here for additional information about the Emergency Prevention and Response Section.

 

This position responds to hazardous materials releases statewide on land and water. This position is responsible for the direction of the hazardous materials branch and utilizes scientific procedures and methods along with advanced field analytical equipment to expeditiously identify the chemical(s) of concern and determine the potential harm it may pose.  The State Emergency On Scene Coordinator (OSC) is also responsible to ensure or conduct the appropriate mitigation actions are being taken in a safe and timely manner.  Once the mitigation has occurred the OSC will manage the remedial actions of the incident to complete restoration.

This position is a member of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) and will be expected to respond to incidents during and after normal work hours, weekends and holidays. The OSC will be part of the Department's medical monitoring program and will be expected to wear appropriate chemical/fire protective clothing to safely mitigate/render safe incidents in which the OSC is dispatched.      

Upon satisfactory completion of department promotional standards and job requirements, employees may be eligible to be promoted to the next level.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Respond on a 24-hour emergency basis statewide to sudden actual or potential hazardous materials releases that are accidental or intentional in nature and may present an immediate threat to life safety, public health, and the environment; may include response beyond State boundaries. 
   
• Supervise and direct on-site personnel, other responding agencies, responsible party representatives, and contractors during emergency response, hazmat operations, and subsequent remedial activities to achieve strategic, tactical, and safety objectives. 
   
• Exercise necessary delegated authorities, including determining and deploying necessary resources, contract management and cost control, directing response personnel activities, and the issuance of enforcement documents such as field orders.
   
• Apply expert scientific knowledge, and utilizes complex equipment to make independent, expeditious determinations about the necessary response efforts to mitigate a spill or release; provide technical review, as well as technical and regulatory oversight, and support enforcement actions as required.
   
• Direct the responsible party to take necessary corrective actions and advise on cost recovery policies and procedures; assume control of the spill or release and all mitigation, abatement, and remediation if a responsible party cannot be determined and conduct cost recovery as necessary. 
   
• Utilize a variety of complex equipment such as toxic air monitoring equipment (such as photoionization detection and mass spectrometer), radiation detection instrumentation, and infrared spectroscopy for the identification of unknown substances; interpret the data obtained from this equipment to make critical real-time public safety decisions that affect human health and the environment.
   
• Use personal protective equipment, communications equipment, and computers; as well as operating emergency vehicles.
   
• Serve as the on-call State OSC on a rotating basis.  Answer after-hours phone calls, assess the severity of reported incidents, and independently determine the appropriate response effort and necessary personnel.  Respond at night, on weekends, and on holidays, in addition to responses that occur during the scheduled shift.
   
• Serve as a point of contact and on-scene representative for incident-related and routine questions and concerns with the general public; state, federal and other agencies; high-level officials; fire companies, emergency personnel; contractors; and local, state, regional and federal response communities.
   
• Serve as a State OSC and hazmat specialist as a member of a Joint Hazard Assessment Team (JHAT) on special assignments where safety and security are of utmost importance, including large public events, political events, and protection of public figures.
   
• May be called upon to provide technical support and expert testimony in court proceedings or other judicial procedures.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for State Emergency On-Scene Coordinator
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Engineering, Environmental Science or related field.
2. Three years’  experience in working with chemical, biological or radiological hazards including proper transport, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials.
3. Three years’ experience in environmental or natural resources project management which includes planning, developing, implementing, managing and evaluating environmental or natural resources projects to ensure objectives are met.
4. Three years’ experience in analyzing and evaluating scientific data.
5. Three years’ experience in interpreting environmental laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
6. Six months’ experience in emergency response.
7. Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

This position will have Statewide responsibilities which requires travel throughout the State.  The State of Delaware provides transportation services to State agencies.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.  DNREC does not provide sponsorship for holders of H-1 B Visas.

Criminal background check:  A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.  The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.    

DNREC Medical Exam:  To meet the Division of Waste and Hazardous Substance Health and Safety requirements, applicants for this position must successfully pass a baseline medical examination to demonstrate fitness for duty.  For additional information concerning the Division of Waste and Hazardous Substance Health and Safety Program, please visit our website at 

Http://www.awm.delaware.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/AWM%20Gallery/AWMSafety.pdf

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at www.delawarestatejobs.com.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.  The State of Delaware – An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.