CONTRACTUAL HOURLY

Emergency Response System of the Maryland-National Capital Region, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems is seeking an individual to serve as a Planner/Volunteer Manager.

Planning and organization are an important component of the preparedness process for building and maintaining capabilities.  According to the National Incident Management System (NIMS), “Preparedness is achieved and maintained through a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action.” Presidential Policy Directive 8 confirms this by stating, “The national preparedness system shall include guidance for planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises (POETE) to build and maintain domestic capabilities.”   For preparedness activities, the MDERS focuses on developing response capabilities for its stakeholders in both Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency management, public health, and the hospitals.  An important focus of the MDERS is the development of capabilities that are multi-jurisdictional and/or multi-disciplinary.  Development of plans for capability development is essential for successful attainment of target capabilities.  Similarly, creating regional plans that complement and unify individual jurisdictional or disciplinary plans ensures optimum interoperability and response capability during routine and disaster events.  Creation and adoption of effective planning requires the organization of multiple stakeholders with a diverse background of experience, subject matter expertise, and interest.  Incorporating volunteers into planning and preparedness activities enhances response capacity and capability, but requires specialized management.  The Emergency Response Planner/Volunteer Manager supports the creation of internal plans for capability development, as well as managing volunteer personnel.

9998

5111 Berwyn Road College Park, Maryland 20740

(Note that this position requires routine reporting to locations outside of the office, primarily in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and the District of Columbia.)

The Maryland-National Capital Region Emergency Response System (MDERS) is seeking a highly-qualified Emergency Response Planner/Volunteer Manager to support the internal and external planning and preparedness efforts related to emergency response capabilities and operational procedures executed during routine and large-scale emergency incidents.

The Planner will be responsible for creating Capability Development Plans, which encompass every aspect of project management from inception to full operationalization. Development of these plans requires a high degree of collaboration among numerous stakeholders, including coworkers, stakeholders, leadership, responders, and the community.

The Planner will also work closely with stakeholder agencies to evaluate response plans for operational readiness and interoperability challenges, then assist in correcting issues to optimize response capability.

The Planner will assume the lead on managing volunteer personnel involved in governmental programs that support emergency response operations. This involves the necessary administrative and operational activities associated with the community-based programs designed to organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and professional skills to prepare and respond to emergencies.

Supports the MDERS by leading planning projects and serving on planning working groups.  

Supports the MDERS planning-related activities, including developing, promoting, and implementing assigned plans, documents, and other materials. 

Creates Capability Development Plans that guide the management of each individual project and program from inception to full operationalization. 

Conducts capability assessments, develop operational plans, develop contingency plans, and develop crisis action plans.  Supports other planning-related activities, including by leading and managing planning working groups, providing planning-related technical assistance to stakeholder agencies.  Teaches planning-related courses. 

Participates in strategic planning activities that involve coordinating with MDERS stakeholders to assess needs and requirements.  In cooperation with ERS coworkers, stakeholders, and leadership, assists in the creation of the MDERS multiyear Strategic Plan with measureable outcomes. 

Works collaboratively with Data Analyst to incorporate measurable outcomes for data-drive management of projects and programs. 

Assists with development, maintenance, and updating ERS Target Capabilities List. 

Coordinates closely with personnel from Finance and Logistics Program, Training and Exercise Program, and others groups to ensure planning incorporates all aspects of capability-building cycle and all efforts are synchronized.  Crosswalks existing plans to determine discipline-specific readiness and interoperability challenges; addresses challenges among impacted stakeholders through future planning efforts. 

Develops plans that complement those of other disciplines and provide for overall interoperability and coordinated response. 

Applies the POETE cycle principles to all aspects of planning process.  Establishes relationships with exercise counterparts in the National Capital Region and coordinates for regional interoperability that supports MDERS capability development.

Establishes relationships with each stakeholder discipline to facilitate the development of capabilities.   

Works with Metropolitan Washington Council of Government Emergency Support Function Committees, Regional Programmatic Workgroups, Specialty Subcommittees; partner ERS programs; State committees; and other regional groups to ensure Maryland ERS participation, representation, and coordination. 

Assists in development of MDERS Annual Report to summarize progress of ERS over past year and planned next steps. 

Schedules and leads a variety of internal MDERS meeting and external meetings with stakeholders and others. 

Creates agendas, documents the meetings, and follows up on action items.  Develops, analyzes, and documents metrics for measurement of the outcomes of the planning initiatives. 

Works with state and local officials to coordinate volunteer program implementation and promotion. 

Works with MDERS Fiscal and Program Managers to develop and manage budget, purchase supplies, equipment and contractual services to support volunteer personnel. 

Communicates with local emergency response team partners to help plan local emergency response plan and define the role of volunteers. 

Verifies volunteer credentials and maintains a database of volunteer staff detailing skills and credentials of each.   

Oversees scheduling and training of volunteers. 

Assures all volunteers general orientation and mission-specific training.  Links volunteers to local emergency response drills and exercises. 

Maintains communication with volunteers through digital messages, newsletters and emails. 

Prepares reports and maintains records as required by state and federal regulations.  

Conducts presentations on volunteer opportunities to the public and local organizations. 

Prepares marketing materials and works with media to promote volunteer recruitment. 

Assists with maintenance of website with public-facing content, as well as secured site with all plans, policies, and other pertinent documentation for stakeholder access. 

Creates a variety of reports using MS Word, Excel spreadsheets that document the work of the MDERS effort, PowerPoint presentations for MDERS staff, stakeholders, and others. 

Deliver a variety of oral presentations to MDERS staff, stakeholders, and others.

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in emergency management, public health, public safety, planning, organizational leadership, law, policy, or related discipline.  

Experience: Two years of experience in emergency planning or emergency management policy work.    

Experience as a responder in law enforcement, fire, EMS, public health, emergency management, or hospital setting.  

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

Master’s degree in emergency management, public health, public safety, planning, organizational leadership, law, policy, or related discipline.    

One year experience in consensus building in a multidisciplinary and/or multijurisdictional environment.         

Completion of the Advanced Planner Track of the Maryland Preparedness Planning Certificate Program (MPPCP).   

Experience in program planning, implementation and evaluation.     

Experience in volunteer recruitment, retention, and management.      

Experience in public relations and marketing.    

Ability to initiate, design, develop, execute, and evaluate emergency response and project management plans.

Ability to lead groups of stakeholders, MDERS staff, and leadership to achieve consensus on developing response plans for a variety of MDERS stakeholders that include fire, EMS, law enforcement, public health, emergency management, and hospital personnel.          

Ability to create polished, visually appealing written products to effectively convey plans and other critical materials to staff, stakeholders, volunteers, and public.        

Knowledge of volunteer management, recruitment, training, retention, and recognition.      

Knowledge of emergency preparedness/disaster response concepts.       

Knowledge of community service organizations serving diverse populations and their role in emergency preparedness and response.

Ability to work with MDERS staff and stakeholders in a manner that fosters a collegial, cooperative, and friendly working environment for all.       

Ability to effectively communicate, in writing and verbally, to individuals and large audiences.       

Ability to create written and verbal reports, as well as presentations, to convey status updates on project progress, risks, mitigation, adjustments, and future plans.  

Proficiency in standard office productivity computer applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite.      

Ability to pay attention to details.

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.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.  It is important that you report all related education and experience that is relevant to this recruitment qualifications. All information concerning your qualifications, including a copy of your diploma or transcripts must be provided if selected for an interview.  We will not consider information submitted after this date.  

Successful candidates will be placed on the employment (eligible) list. 

The resulting list may be used for future vacancies with this agency or other state agencies.

Contractual employees who works for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. 

As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled.

The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Online application process is STRONGLY preferred.  If the online application process is not available, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire (by the closing date) to:  

Department of Budget and Management Recruitment and Examination Division

301 W. Preston Street, Room 705,

Baltimore, MD 21201

Attn: DeNean Washington

Information received after the closing date will not be considered. 

Application inquiries may be directed to 410-767-8691. 

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

TTY  Users: call via Maryland Relay  

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