EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS OFFICER

Our mission is to proactively reduce disaster risks and reliably manage consequences through collaborative work with Maryland's communities and partners. 

NOTE: Position will be required to work in an emergency/disaster capacity according to assignment within the State Emergency Operations Structure (SEOC) and according to the Consequence Management Operations Plan (CMOP). This may involve working 12 hour shifts extended periods of time in support of 24 hour consequence management activities.  

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management Agency (MDEM) is the Department of State Government with primary responsibility and authority for emergency preparedness policy, and for coordinating hazard mitigation, incident response, and disaster recovery.  MDEM works to ensure that all Marylanders engage in preparedness activities and that the entire state is more disaster resilient.

ASTD11

5401 Rue St. Lo Drive

Reisterstown, MD 21136

NOTE: This position is considered emergency essential, and supports emergency functions during times of heightened activity, including operating within an on-call, rotating schedule to attend to all emergencies on a statewide 24/7 basis, supporting the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

MDEM is the agency of State government with primary responsibility and authority for emergency preparedness policy, and for coordinating hazard mitigation, incident response, and disaster recovery. MDEM works to ensure that all Marylanders are prepared, and to make Maryland more resilient. Emergency preparedness planning is a critical part of MDEM’s mission and the successful execution of the Agency’s Center for Preparedness Excellence.

The Emergency Management Operations Officer is responsible for the readiness and operation of the Maryland Joint Operations Center (MJOC) and the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at the MDEM on a twenty-four hour a day basis. The employee coordinates requests for assistance from local emergency managers and emergency operations centers by assigning resources to fill unmet needs.

The Emergency Management Operations Officer ensures an appropriate posture for the SEOC through monitoring emergency incidents and situations throughout the State as well as regional, national and international events which may affect Maryland public safety. The position collects, organizes, analyzes and reports critical incident information and data for use by emergency managers, emergency operations centers, fusion centers, and other officials and decision makers at local, state, and national levels. The position also receives, reviews and vets accordingly the following reports for events/items of significance that may affect Maryland public safety. Some examples include but are not limited to:

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report

• Contiguous States Daily Incident Reports (Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia)

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National and Regional Reports

• DHS National Operations Center Reports

• Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement Watch Center Reports

• Situational Reports from Local, State and Federal Agencies

• Maryland Fire Chiefs (MFCA)

• Maryland Coordination and Analysis (MCAC) Reports and Briefs

• Washington Regional Threat Advisory Centers (WRTAC) reports

• Press releases from Local, State and Federal entities

The Emergency Management Operations Officer functions as the primary employee responsible for the operation of the Maryland State Warning Point. In this role, the employee coordinates the dissemination and issuance of all Federal and State issued warnings and protective action recommendations to other state agencies and local governments.

Additionally, this position assists in answering calls/texts/emails that come through the dedicated Maryland School Safety Tip Line and to route and/or escalate calls per established protocols. The Tip Line supports the Agency’s mission by providing an additional tool to ensure that Maryland families and communities have the ability to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from the consequences of emergency and disaster events. This position will directly support the Governor’s Maryland Safe to Learn Act of 2018 initiative.

The Emergency Management Operations Officer performs multiple communications related duties within the MJOC serving MDEM and the SEOC. These duties include the provision of dispatch services for outside agencies and can act as a backup center for other outside agencies such as MCAC, The Maryland State police Aviation Command (SYSCOM) and the Emergency Medical Resource Center (EMRC) for the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services (MIEMSS). In addition, the MJOC serves as a “control station” for several interoperability communication systems to include the statewide 700 MHz radio system – MDFiRST.

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Monitor, collect, analyze and prioritize information and data pertaining to emergency incidents and situations throughout the State
• With guidance from the shift supervisor contacts and discusses situations with on-site emergency managers, fusion centers, EOC’s and other officials (including local, state, and federal officials) to obtain updates and clarifications and determine their response and resource needs
• Execute and assist with the operations of the SEOC through Level-4 and Level-3 operations to include receiving requests for emergency support from local emergency managers and public safety agencies
• Clearly compose and disseminate emergency and routine information verbally and in writing using various complex communications devices to include, but not limited to radios, satellites systems, computer systems, applications and software packages and the telephone
• Operate all equipment associated with the Maryland State Warning Point in order to clearly communicate emergency warnings and protective action recommendations to local emergency managers and the public through the use of the National Warning System (NAWAS) and Emergency Alert System (EAS)
• Answer calls, texts, emails, etc. from the dedicated anonymous reporting system and route and/or escalate according to established guidelines
• Provide initial technical support to the users of the agency's technical information systems to include but not limited to audio/visual systems, telephone, radio and software applications
• Participate in special projects assigned to the shift including development and maintenance of databases and procedures to improve emergency operations capabilities and respond to field incident sites or alternate operations centers when required to provide communications and coordination
• Monitor, collect and report meteorological data from the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Cooperative Observation weather station located at the SEOC for the purpose of defining the climate of the United States and help measure long term climate changes
• Operate the SEOC’s video and audio teleconferencing system for effective scheduling and participation of both routine and emergency briefs amongst executive staff and senior elected officials

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience in emergency communications work related to police, fire/rescue, medical service or military operations; or in coordinating emergency, safety or disaster relief efforts.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience in emergency response communication work responding to emergencies or coordinating emergency, safety or disaster relief on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in emergency communications systems and equipment operations classifications or specialty codes in the emergency management field of work on a year for year basis for the required experience.

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

• First Responder and/or dispatcher experience is preferred
• Strong communication and organizational skills, as well as proficiency in the following technologies: (Basic word processing, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.)

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call 24 hours a day and will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Maryland Department of Emergency Management, 5401 Rue Saint Lo Drive, Reisterstown, MD 21136. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please call 410-517-3600, x3615.

MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.