Assistant Platoon Leader

Chester County PA; Westtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chester County Department of Emergency Services seeks an Assistant Platoon Leader to provide tactical leadership and supervision of ECC personnel, ensuring timely, accurate emergency communications. This role requires 24/7 availability, extensive field and EOC operations knowledge, and ability to activate the EOC when needed.

The incumbent will coach staff, manage scheduling, performance, and ensure high quality service to county residents.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Five years of job-related experience in public safety or emergency services.
• Minimum of two years as Telecommunicator IV or equivalent responsibilities.
• Preferred Associate’s degree in Public Safety or related field.
• Six+ years of job-related experience with supervisory preference.
• Public safety field experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and direction to staff including hiring, coaching, and evaluating performance.
• Assist Platoon Leader with daily tasks and manage platoon in leadership absence.
• Ensure call reception and dispatch functions are performed timely and accurately.
• Conduct monthly quality reviews of emergency calls and supervise ECC operations.
• Lead and train staff; support DES programs and activities; foster excellence within the platoon.
• Coordinate activations and drills in the Emergency Operations Center.

Skills

Leadership skills

Public speaking

Verbal and written skills

Listening and Communication skills

Detail Oriented/Accurate

Performance Management skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer Service skills

Organizational skills

Time Management Skills

Prioritization/Multi-tasking skills

Team Player

Flexible/Adaptable

Sound Analysis/Judgement skills

Confidentiality

Honesty, Integrity and Professionalism

Education

GED or High School Diploma

Associate’s degree in Public Safety or related field

Tools

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)

Microsoft Office

Timekeeping and performance evaluation platforms

Job description

All Department of Emergency Services employees are essential personnel and may be required to work during non-business hours for extended periods of time. Essential employee duties may involve assignments within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), deployment to a field location, or other duties as required during periods of emergencies or training/exercise. Emergency assignments may be performed under adverse conditions, continue for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks, and may require travel. This position requires availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The Assistant Platoon Leader provides tactical leadership and first-line supervision to emergency communications personnel ensuring efficient, accurate and timely operation of the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in accordance with Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) guidelines and Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) standards and assumes responsibility for the shift in the absence of the Platoon Leader. The Assistant Platoon Leader possesses a working knowledge of the Emergency Operations Center and must be capable of initiating the appropriate steps to activate the EOC, when necessary. Supports the mission of the Department of Emergency Services by promoting and assisting in providing safety and security to Chester County citizens so they can work, live and grow in a healthy and safe community.

• Provides oversight and direction to staff including hiring; communicating expectations; planning, monitoring and evaluating performance; coaching, counseling, and developing employees; recommending compensation actions, and coordinating and enforcing systems, policies, and procedures. (Nodirect reports and 16 indirect reports.)

• Assists and provides support to the Platoon Leader with daily tasks and responsibilities while helping to manage and direct the platoon.
• Handles supervisory responsibilities in the Platoon Leader’s absence (conflicts, scheduling, reprimands, coaching, counseling, etc.)
• Provides continuous coaching, mentoring, performance feedback, recognition, and corrective action to assigned staff to promote high performance, accountability, and professional growth.
• Ensures that all call reception and dispatch functions of the ECC are performed timely and accurately by monitoring all activity being performed by staff.
• Ensures quality of service of work performed by staff and completes monthly quality reviews of emergency calls to ensure quality assurance is maintained.
• Functions as part of a team responsible for over 25,000 calls per month.
• Provides training as needed.
• Provides positive input and support to Department of Emergency Services (DES) programs.
• Encourages and assists with staff participation in DES and ECC activities.
• Creates and fosters an atmosphere of excellence for the platoon to follow.
• Ensures that the ECC work environment is safe, comfortable, and free of negativity.
• Openly communicates with the platoon, DES, and the public, as necessary.
• Assists with activations and drills in the Emergency Operations Center.
• Performs other duties, tasks, and special projects, as assigned.

Required:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Five years of job-related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience in the public safety field and/or emergency services.
• Minimum of two years of experience as a Telecommunicator IV, or equivalent job responsibilities.

Preferred:

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university, in Public Safety, Emergency Management, or a related field;
• Six or more years of job-related experience, with preference for supervisory roles.
• Public safety field experience.

Other Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and abilities

Strong demonstrated abilities required:

• Leadership skills, including ability to lead by example
• Public speaking skills
• Verbal and written skills
• Listening and Communication skills
• Detail Oriented/Accurate
• Performance Management skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Customer Service skills
• Organizational skills
• Time Management Skills
• Prioritization/Multi-tasking skills
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn new tasks
• Analytical/Problem Solving skills
• Motivated/Works Independently
• Team Player
• Flexible/Adaptable
• Sound Analysis/Judgement skills
• Confidentiality
• Honesty, Integrity and Professionalism

Also required:

• Ability to perform effectively while under pressure.
• Ability to interface effectively with all levels of county government, DES, public, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to follow protocols to handle and resolve recurring problems.
• Ability to use common sense understanding to carry out written and verbal instructions.
• Occasional requirement to work extended hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Driver's License is required.

Certifications/Continuing Education Requirements:

• Association of Public Safety Officials (APCO) Basic Telecommunicator Certification, or the ability to obtain within one year of hire.
• Completion of basic training, police/LEDO, and fire dispatch training, or the ability to obtain within one year of hire.
• Completion of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), phone systems, mapping and radio dispatch training or ability to obtain within six months of hire
• Must maintain certifications in CPR, APCO EMD, TTD, CTO, HazMat Awareness, County Police/LEDO and Fire dispatch.
• Completion of an approved Emergency Communications supervisory course within one year of hire.
• Completion of training in the set-up and operations of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
• Participation in Emergency Management Training.
• Must complete 50 credits of continuing education each year.

Preferred:

• Basic knowledge in Instructor Methodology.
• General knowledge and understanding of Chester County emergency response operations.
• General knowledge and understanding of Chester County policies and procedures.
• General knowledge and understanding of the Department of Emergency Services Emergency Communications policies and procedures.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge and skill in using the Internet for research purposes.
• Knowledge in the use of timekeeping and performance evaluation platforms.
• Knowledge in the use of Computerized Scheduling
• Strong knowledge and skill with the Computer Aided Dispatch program

Other:

• Ability to work extended hours.
• Must maintain excellent attendance.
• Confidentiality is crucial to this position.
• This position requires professionalism.
• Must complete 50 credits of continuing education a year.
• Public safety may be jeopardized when the Department of Emergency Services functions are not performed and accomplished perfectly.