Placer County

To prepare and maintain emergency plans and procedures for use during a countywide emergency; analyze emergency services needs and deploy personnel and resources as deemed necessary;  prepare, respond and recover from actual emergencies to include assisting in coordinating activities of organizations during actual emergencies and disasters.

This is the advanced journey level class in the Emergency Services Specialist series. As experience is gained, incumbents at this level are expected to perform the full range of duties as assigned with increasing independence.

This class is distinguished from the Emergency Services Coordinator in that the latter performs the more difficult and complex responsibilities of emergency services coordination and exercises technical and functional supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff.  The Emergency Services Coordinator may also assume staff functions as the Emergency Operations Center Director directing all staff at the time of the emergency.

Receives direction from the Emergency Services Program Manager and may receive technical and functional supervision from the Emergency Services Coordinator.

May provide technical and functional supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff.

• Advise and assist various groups, including County staff, special districts, cities and industry in reviewing and/or developing emergency preparedness plans.
• Analyze and evaluate emergency response plans of emergency services organizations and make recommendations relative to operating procedures and preparedness checklists. 
• Respond to emergencies and assist in the coordination of emergency efforts by cities and state, federal agencies and other public jurisdictions, private entities and volunteer organizations during emergencies. 
• Assist with planning and conducting simulated emergency exercises; and assist with developing and presenting emergency services training to public employees.
• Develop and oversee various County-wide emergency response programs, including the   hazardous materials response.
• Establish and maintain appropriate files and records, including maintenance and inventory of emergency supplies and equipment; prepare correspondence and reports.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer services.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Three years of responsible emergency services or disaster planning experience.

Training: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, with major course work in Public Administration, Business Administration, Public Safety, or a closely related field.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of emergency management including the Emergency Services Act, Chapter 7 of  Division  of  Title 2 of the Government Code and the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS).
• Policies and procedures pertaining to emergency management to include the incident command system and First Responder Operations.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Organizational structure and service delivery systems of county government, especially related to Placer County.
• Purposes and relationships of local, state, and federal governments as related to Emergency Management and disaster planning activities.
• Countywide policies and procedures and general practices of County Departments.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time.  Intermittently, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel or twist to observe emergency conditions or conduct training; Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift light weight.  Work in varied field conditions during varying types of weather. 
• Coordinate the activities of various groups in responding to emergencies and disasters.
• Prepare and conduct training exercises related to emergency practices.        Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Obtain information through interview; manage multiple projects; and deal firmly and courteously with the public.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Work unusual or prolonged hours during emergencies or disasters and during training programs or preparedness exercises.
• Use office equipment and technology.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.