EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS OFFICER SUPERVISOR

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (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 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 Department’s Center for Preparedness Excellence. The Emergency Management Operations Supervisor is responsible for the overall supervision of the Maryland Joint Operations Center (MJOC) at the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) on a twenty-four hour a day basis. The employee supervises requests for assistance from local emergency managers and emergency operations centers by assigning resources to fill unmet needs. The Emergency Management Operations Supervisor recommends the appropriate posture for the SEOC to the department’s Executive Staff by the monitoring of 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:

• Contiguous States Daily Incident Reports (Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National and Regional Reports
• Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement Watch Center Reports
• Situational Reports from Local, State and federal Agencies

• Maryland Coordination and Analysis (MCAC) Reports and Briefs

• Press releases from Local, State and Federal entities

The Emergency Management Operations Supervisor functions as the first line supervisor responsible for the operation of the Maryland State Warning Point. In this role, the employee supervises, and can perform the issuance and dissemination of all Federal and State issued warnings and protective action recommendations. 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 Department’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 Supervisor supervises and performs multiple communications related duties within the MJOC serving MDEM and the SEOC. These duties may 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.

SEOC staffing needs including understanding and mastery of all five components of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Maryland Emergency Management System (MEMS). Employee will support SEOC activities, which may involve extended work hours, as well as extraordinary stress levels, given that a disaster event would occur requiring SEOC activation. Employee will be expected to perform command and supervisory functions for incident management needs with competence and reliability under NIMS and MEMS. Employee is expected to support ongoing recovery operations as it relates to their specific Branch roles/responsibilities. Employee may be required to report to an alternate location to perform SEOC duties in support of MEMS stakeholders or in the event of a Continuity of Operations Program (COOP) Plan activation. Employee may be called to duty at any time, day or night, and is expected to report to the SEOC or assigned duty location within 2 hours of notification.

Perform and supervise the collection of information and data pertaining to emergency incidents and situations throughout the State. Such incidents may be crisis or disaster situations, both natural (e.g., hurricane, tornado) and manmade (e.g., hazardous material spill, terrorist attack). Also perform and supervise the monitoring of regional, national and international incidents which may affect the State. Ensure all activity has been appropriately logged and events are based on the State Critical Information Reporting Requirement (SCIRR) and the event/incident meets the threshold for reporting.

Provide directions to subordinates regarding the analysis and interpretation of collected incident information. Supervise contacts made by subordinates 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. Based on the data and analysis, decide appropriate course of action through the use of implied and regulated authorities.

Functions as the Center Commander of the State Emergency Operations Center during “ready state operations” to include receiving requests for emergency support from local emergency managers and public safety agencies. Appropriate tasks and tracks these requests to appropriate agencies.

Supervises and performs the clear composition and dissemination of emergency and routine information verbally and in writing using various complex communications devices to include, but not limited to radios, satellites systems, computer system applications and software packages and the telephone.

Performs and supervises the operation of all equipment associated with the State of Maryland 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. This process includes gathering tip information, determining the level of tip severity for all reported tips, categorizing the tip type, and contacting appropriate entities, including designated school officials or local public safety centers, first responders, including law enforcement, and/or personnel so that these agencies can support response and conduct further follow up investigation.

Facilitate the dispatch services for outside agencies to include, but not limited to, Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH), and the Baltimore City Environmental Police (BCEPD).

Trains subordinates on policies, procedures, practices, and systems. Ensures self and staff proficiency through routine training in systems and educational topics.

Provide initial technical support to the users of the department’s technical information systems to include but not limited to audio/visual systems, telephone, radio and software applications.

Organizes and directs 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. Additionally, provide real time observed conditions and data to support forecasts, warning and other public service programs of the NWS.

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.

Monitor building surveillance and alarm systems for intrusion, fire, electrical and water flow that could impact the safety of staff and visitors.

Completion of the departmental specific training program.

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

Experience: Three 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.

1. Experience working in a state level watch center.

2. Experience in using emergency communications systems to include mass notification,  NAWAS, and IPaws.

3. Experience training and on-boarding of new employees.

This is an internal recruitment limited to Current MDEM Employees.

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.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

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 410-702-3714, or email kiara.jones@maryland.gov. 

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: 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.