Emergency Communication and Management Chief

Emergency Communication and Management Chief is responsible for planning and coordinating equipment utilization; overseeing the division’s budget; playing a mission‑critical role in supporting the overall strategy and operational deployments of emergency resources both in the day‑to‑day operations and during times of natural and man‑made disaster. The Emergency Communication and Management Chief is responsible for the coordination of the Emergency Management Plan in the City of Lancaster in cooperation with the Regional Emergency Management Operations Coordinator as well as providing management support for the city’s Emergency Communications Division through the Dispatch Manager. Interpret and apply department standards, policies, and procedures, along with pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Work with vendors, contractors, and consultants regarding the maintenance and repair of critical emergency operations equipment. Oversee the preparation and administration of the Emergency Management and Dispatch division’s budget, inter‑agency grants, and requisition of supplies and materials. Work cooperatively with department members, other City departments, government officials, and members of the community; resolve problems; investigate and respond to citizen complaints and inquiries; conduct highly complex or sensitive investigations; and respond to inquiries from City representatives and the general public. Develop and improve standards, policies, and procedures, and monitor compliance. Present information before public safety or City Council Committee meetings upon request. During periods of non‑disaster or emergency state, the Emergency Communication and Management Chief will coordinate with regional partners to ensure training, annex reviews and preparation approval from the staff, emergency plan reviews, resource inventories, and contacts are up‑to‑date and made available to city staff. During periods of disaster, emergency state or any other time and place the emergency operations center (EOC) is activated, the Emergency Communication and Management Chief serves as the primary coordinator for the emergency management plan and serves as the city’s emergency manager. Supervises assigned employees; prioritizes and assigns work; conducts performance evaluations to ensure staff are sufficiently trained; makes hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations. Facilitates employee relations, to include mediating workplace conflicts, advising and assisting in the resolution of grievances, preparing management responses, participating and advising in employee performance management processes, participates in conducting internal investigations. Assesses daily activities of direct reports; reviews dispatch audio recordings; evaluates statistical reports; counsels and mentors assigned employees as needed. Contributes to the development of the annual budget. Participates in the development and review of policies, procedures, long and short‑range plans and strategy guidelines for operations to ensure reliable emergency communications. Must be available to respond to critical issues during non‑business hours. Demonstrates a strong leadership presence that promotes the City of Lancaster mission, vision, and strategic plans. Supports the relationship between the City of Lancaster and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City of Lancaster staff. Maintains high level of confidential and sensitive information in a discrete and professional manner. Punctual and regular attendance to work; able to work in a 24/7 work environment (weekends, holidays, inclement weather) and any shift (day or night). Supervises and directs outreach to promote the City’s public education program to include the development of materials promoting personal preparedness and safety for family, school, business, and community. Interacts with community groups to promote emergency preparedness, including directing and providing demonstrations and presentations. Serves as program administrator for the Department of Homeland Security Grant Program to include researching, writing, and submitting grant proposals; managing awarded projects; and completing required reporting per state and federal compliance guidance. Facilitates and coordinates exercises involving city departments, local, state, and federal partners and multiple outside agencies to further emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across the community. Develop readiness initiatives to include training delivery and coordination of training efforts amongst city departments and community partners including but not limited to Emergency Operations Center processes, National Incident Management System and Incident Command System requirements. Maintain, revise, review, and/or modify the Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan, citywide Continuity of Operations Plan, Continuity of Government Plan, Hazard Mitigation Action Plan, Disaster Debris Management Plan and various other planning documents, standard operating guidelines, policies and procedures necessary to meet local, state, and federal standards. Serves as the emergency management liaison to the business community, volunteer agencies active in disaster, and other community and partner organizations to promote economic recovery, public/private partnerships and whole community preparedness. Serves Command Staff positions during Emergency Operations Center activations. Serves as on‑call emergency management officer providing weather monitoring, siren activation expertise, and support to incidents involving multiple departments or high‑profile public safety events. Oversee the maintenance of the Emergency Operations Center in a near‑ready state. Maintain an up‑to‑date listing of existing personnel, equipment, supplies, resources, and other services that could be utilized during an emergency. Manages public warning and communication systems including activation of systems when necessary. Oversee administration of department finances by approving purchases and developing department and grant budgets including tracking and accountability systems. Create and give presentations to City Council and senior administration. Responds courteously to public inquiries, providing information on a variety of emergency management topics, and works to resolve citizen complaints. Continuously seek to improve processes and products provided by the Office of Emergency Management. Supervisory Responsibilities Directly supervises multiple employees in emergency communications which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Oversee and implement the city emergency management plan. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management or a related field such as public administration or public safety. Experience in at least one emergency management operations center event involving a natural or man‑made event such as a tornado or terroristic response; which required coordinating multiple resources/agencies at the local, state or federal level. Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, citizens, and the general public. Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations National Incident Management System (NIMS)‑FEMA required certification for levels 100, 191, 200, 300, 400, 402, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 706, and 800. Additional NIMS certification for 775, 701, 703, 706, 702 and 250 preferred. A valid Class C Texas driver’s license is required. Other Skills and Abilities Night, weekend, and holiday work required. Must be able to pass extensive background investigation, including drug screen. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. #J-18808-Ljbffr City-of-Lancaster-1