GRADE : 15
JOB TYPE : Full-Time
LOCATION: Martinsburg, WV
FLSA STATUS : Exempt
DEPARTMENT : Emergency Management
REPORTS TO : County Administrator
GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:
Performs professional, administrative, and supervisory work planning, organizing, and directing the comprehensive emergency management program for Berkeley County. Serves as the County's principal emergency management official, building and maintaining collaborative partnerships across all disciplines of public safety and emergency services (law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency communications, healthcare, schools, and the private sector) to positively impact public safety countywide. Directs public outreach and education efforts and coordinates emergency management activities with municipalities, other counties, state agencies, and federal partners. Work is performed with considerable independent judgment and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and results achieved.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed and not inclusive of all activities. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)
- Plans, organizes, and directs the comprehensive Emergency Management program for Berkeley County, including development and maintenance of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), Commodity Flow Study, Hazard Mitigation Plan, and related plans for the County and its municipalities.
- Directly supervises the Emergency Management Specialist(s) and other assigned Emergency Management staff, including hiring, training, scheduling, performance evaluation, and discipline.
- Builds and maintains effective partnerships with all disciplines of public safety and emergency services, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency communications, healthcare, schools, and the private sector, to positively impact public safety countywide.
- Serves as the County's primary point of contact and liaison with the WV Division of Emergency Management/Homeland Security, FEMA Region III, and neighboring county, municipal, and state emergency management agencies.
- Establishes and maintains mutual aid and other cooperative assistance agreements with local, state, and federal partners to secure needed services, equipment, and resources.
- Directs and oversees the County's Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) activities and Tier II hazardous materials reporting program.
- Directs public outreach, education, and preparedness campaigns for County residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations.
- Serves as Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager; directs EOC activation, staffing, and coordination during declared emergencies, disasters, and significant incidents.
- Represents Berkeley County at local, regional, state, and national Emergency Management meetings, committees, and conferences.
- Prepares, monitors, and manages the Emergency Management Department's annual budget and pursues, administers, and reports on emergency management grants (e.g., EMPG, HSGP, and similar funding sources).
- Coordinates emergency management planning, exercises, and testing programs with municipalities, other counties, and state and federal agencies.
- Oversees the readiness of emergency equipment, mobile stock, supplies, and materials for the Department.
- Oversees the County's drone program.
- Maintains required training hours and certifications for Emergency Management credentials and ensures Department staff do the same.
- Advises the County Administrator and County Commission on emergency management matters, threats, readiness, and resource needs.
- Performs other duties as assigned and necessary.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Considerable knowledge of emergency management principles, National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to public safety, emergency management, emergency preparedness, and hazardous materials.
- Considerable knowledge of, and experience in, law enforcement, fire, and/or EMS operations is highly desirable and strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative partnerships across all disciplines of emergency services and public safety to positively impact public safety outcomes.
- Strong leadership, supervisory, and personnel management skills, including the ability to hire, train, mentor, and evaluate staff.
- Ability to plan, organize, and direct public outreach and education programs for diverse audiences.
- Ability to coordinate emergency management activities effectively with other jurisdictions, including municipalities, counties, and state and federal agencies.
- Strong and effective spoken and written communication skills, including public speaking and media/public information relations.
- Ability to manage multiple, high-pressure incidents and competing priorities simultaneously, including during activation of the Emergency Operations Center.
- Ability to develop and manage departmental budgets and grant funding.
- Proficient in the use of computer applications (spreadsheets, word processing, email, mapping/GIS, etc.).
- Available to work varied hours and be available on an on-call basis for emergency situations.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other agencies, officials, and the public.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, or a closely related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Considerable (five (5) or more years preferred) progressively responsible experience in emergency management, fire service, EMS, or law enforcement is required, including experience in a supervisory, command, or leadership capacity.
- Candidates with considerable experience in Law Enforcement, Fire, and/or EMS are highly sought after, even if they do not hold all Emergency Management certifications listed below at the time of hire (see Special Requirements).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have the use of sensory skills to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public using telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls.
- Capability to effectively use and operate various office-related equipment.
- Standing, walking, moving, climbing, carrying, reaching, bending, kneeling, crawling, handling, pushing, pulling and lifting.
- Ability to perform various duties and functions under emergency conditions, including moderate to severe weather, and other adverse situations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Possession of a valid driver’s license.
- Successfully pass a criminal history and background investigation.
- West Virginia Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations.
- NIMS ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700, and IS-800.
- FEMA National Emergency Management Basic Academy Certification.
- FEMA Advanced Professional Series (APS) or Professional Development Series (PDS), or equivalent advanced EM training, preferred.
- Certification in Public Alerting through FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), including completion of all required training and application processes.
- Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or WV Professional Emergency Manager (WVPEM) credential preferred.
- Candidates hired with considerable, demonstrable experience in Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, or other emergency services who do not already hold the minimum Emergency Management certifications listed above (WV HazMat Awareness/Operations, NIMS ICS-100/200/300/400, IS-700, IS-800, and IPAWS Public Alerting Certification) will be given twelve (12) months from the date of hire to obtain them, as a condition of continued employment.
- Ability to travel when necessary.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Available when and as necessary, including outside of normal working hours, weekends, holidays, etc.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
The Berkeley County Commission provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
