Job description
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) Engineering Services Division is hiring for an Emergency Manager (Strategic Advisor 2) to serve as SDCI’s expert advisor in all matters related to emergency response (ER) and recovery. This position will be directly responsible for updating and implementing the SDCI Emergency Response Plan, coordinating and monitoring training for SDCI staff on the plan and specific responsibilities, and partnering and coordinating with the SDCI Department Directors, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and other City departments on exercises, initiatives, and strategic planning for emergency response and recovery. This position will also serve as internal liaison in supporting and facilitating communication and response processes in relation to various emergency and hazardous incidents. Ultimately, this position will help SDCI, and the City be prepared for emergency incidents and major disasters in Seattle.
SDCI has a culture of promoting an equitable work environment that allows us to thrive by understanding how racial outcomes impact the individual employee and the community members we serve. To guide and strengthen our culture, this position requires a strong foundation in diversity, equity and inclusion and is a key player in promoting racial equity in the workforce and service delivery.This is a new role for SDCI and will involve taking responsibility for organizing and updating, implementing new processes and procedures related to SDCI’s Emergency Response Plan as well as the City’s overall emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery effort.
Areas of focus will include:
Serving as key advisor to SDCI executives, managers, supervisors, and first responders, with a significant role in planning and managing SDCI’s emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery policies and programs to ensure compliance with City of Seattle directives.- Serving as lead in developing, coordinating, and maintaining SDCI’s Emergency Response Plans and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) that incorporates plans, policies, and procedures for variety of emergency and catastrophic events as well as response and recovery programs.
- Serving as lead in facilitating training and exercises of SDCI’s Emergency Response Plan to ensure department staff, other City departments, and external agencies are adequately informed of the department’s programs and protocols.
- Regularly providing training to staff serving in the Emergency Response Division, ensuring staff know and understand individual roles and responsibilities during emergency response and recovery.
- Developing, coordinating, and implementing internal training to perform rapid building damage assessment (ATC-20).
- Coordinating development, procurement, and maintenance of essential supplies for emergency preparedness and response for Emergency Response division.
- Maintaining records of all emergency response trainings and related activities.
- Providing leadership and representing SDCI at the monthly City Disaster Management Committee (DMC) and the bi-weekly DMC Strategic Work Group (SWG).
- Serving as liaison for response, recovery, mitigation, and preparedness planning efforts between SDCI and the Seattle Office of Emergency Management, King County Office of Emergency Management, and Washington State Office of Emergency Management.
- Planning and coordinating emergency response functions with regional emergency management and response exercises such as Cascadia Rising.
- Planning and coordinating deputization program for engaging local licensed structural engineers as deputies in the event of a seismic event.
- Acting as SDCI’s primary liaison for internal emergency management working under direction of SDCI’s Emergency Response Director and Deputies.
- Developing and engaging with SDCI leadership with policy recommendations on emergency response, disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation, and related emerging issues.
- Participating in shared responsibility of coordinating SDCI emergency responses at all hours in response to emergencies such as structural failures, landslides, windstorms, as well as requests from other City departments.
- Commitment to City’s and SDCI’s Race and Social Justice (RSJ) approach to managing workgroups and making decisions.
- Emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery policies.
- Documenting, updating, and maintaining written plans.
- Coordinating training and tracking training schedules.
- Project management skills, including the ability to produce, track, and manage multiple deliverables with overlapping deadlines in a high-performing environment.
- Cultivating strong, authentic, and personal relationships and facilitate partnerships.
- Conducting rapid evaluations of buildings damaged by disasters.
- Working on projects involving different types of construction and the expected performance of those buildings in a seismic event.
- The geography as well as geologic hazards in Seattle.
- GIS systems that map roadways, building stock, and infrastructure.
- Logistics management, such as making sure appropriate staff have access to PPE, hardware, manuals, radios, and other essential supplies and equipment.
- Microsoft 365 products.
- Public speaking and training in both large and small group settings.
- Five years of progressive experience in emergency management, planning, response, recovery, and continuity planning for a large operational department. (Other combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis or comparability.)
Ideal candidates will possess the following skills, experience, and abilities:
- Experience acting as a key advisor on technical matters and developing policy recommendations for senior management.
- Ability to process a fundamental knowledge of government emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, and related policy development processes.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and proactively resolve issues.
- Experience in demonstrating good judgment and decision-making processes in an emergency event.
License, Certification, and Other Requirements:
- Provide evidence of successful previous training on FEMA National Incident Management Series core classes on the Incident Command System: ICS 100 and 200, IS 700.
- The Emergency Manager will be required to complete FEMA National Incident Management Series core classes on the Incident Command System: ICS 300, 400 and IS 800 within their first year or provide evidence of successful previous training.
- Trained in ATC-20 – Procedures for Post-Earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings or equivalent within their first year or provide evidence of successful previous training within last five years.
- Current, valid Driver’s License or evidence of equivalent mobility.
Please submit a current resume and a cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections is a proud participant in the Race and Social Justice Initiative, a citywide effort to realize the vision of racial equity. We require a strong commitment to customer service and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences; people of color, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.
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