EMA Operations and Training Officer/ Deputy Coordinator

Marie-Hélène Blain Styliste; Sunbury (Northumberland County); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Northumberland County EMA is seeking an Operations and Training Officer / Deputy Coordinator to lead emergency management activities across preparedness, response, and recovery. You will handle hazardous materials planning, training, and EOC operations, coordinating with first responders, industry, municipalities, and state/federal partners.

The role requires strong project management, broad emergency management knowledge, and 24/7 availability for emergent incidents, with the Officer serving as

Qualifications

• Experience with emergency management planning and response.
• Knowledge of NIMS/ICS and CERT protocols.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Operate and support EOC leadership for incidents.
• Respond 24/7 to emergencies including fires, floods, hazardous materials.
• Develop Incident Action Plans and perform after-action reviews.
• Coordinate with counties, municipalities, and state/federal partners.
• Coordinate training and exercises county-wide.
• Maintain hazardous materials and radiological plans.

Skills

Emergency management

Project management

Communication skills

Training coordination

Staffing and leadership

Tools

WebEOC

Crisis Track

Emergency communications equipment

Job description

The EMA Operations and Training Officer / Deputy Coordinator leads and supports emergency management preparedness, response, and recovery activities for Northumberland County. Responsibilities include hazardous materials planning (Act 165/SARA Title III), emergency operations training and exercises, coordination with first responders, industry, municipalities, and state/federal partners, and operational leadership within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The role requires strong project management skills, broad emergency management knowledge, and 24/7 availability for emergent incidents. The Officer serves as Deputy Coordinator upon completion of required PEMA certification.

Description

The EMA Operations and Training Officer / Deputy Coordinator leads and supports emergency management preparedness, response, and recovery activities for Northumberland County. Responsibilities include hazardous materials planning (Act 165/SARA Title III), emergency operations training and exercises, coordination with first responders, industry, municipalities, and state/federal partners, and operational leadership within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The role requires strong project management skills, broad emergency management knowledge, and 24/7 availability for emergent incidents. The Officer serves as Deputy Coordinator upon completion of required PEMA certification.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Operations and Emergency Response
• Support and take direction from the Director of Public Safety/EMC within the NIMS/ICS structure.
• Respond 24/7 to emergency or disaster incidents including fires, floods, hazardous materials events, radiological incidents, severe weather, pandemics, evacuations, sheltering, and other all-hazards events.
• Assist in coordinating county resources, developing Incident Action Plans, performing incident reviews, critiques, and damage assessments.
• Act as Emergency Management Officer when the Director is unavailable.
• Staff and support the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), including activation, coordination of emergency functions, and supervision of EOC operations.
• Assist County and municipal departments with continuity planning, emergency procedures, and essential services support.
• Hazardous Materials / Act 165 Responsibilities
• Conduct site visits, coordinate with municipalities and emergency services, and maintain accurate off-site response plans.
• Assist industry in developing disaster and emergency response plans.
• Plan, coordinate, and observe facility exercises required under SARA Title III.
• Attend and support Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meetings and sub-committees.
• Training Coordination
• Develop a county-wide three-year emergency management training schedule.
• Identify, deliver, and coordinate training opportunities for responders, officials, volunteers, NGOs, critical infrastructure, and the public.
• Facilitate partnerships with training agencies at local, state, federal, nonprofit, and private-sector levels.
• Ensure departmental compliance with National Incident Management System (NIMS) requirements.
• Recruit, train, and exercise volunteers and county staff for disaster response roles.
• Exercise Coordination
• Develop and maintain a county-wide three-year exercise schedule.
• Lead orientation, tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises; coordinate with departments, regional/state agencies, and partners.
• Develop measurable objectives, evaluate performance, write after-action reports (AARs), prepare improvement plans, and integrate lessons learned into county plans.
• Participate in regional exercises and maintain coordination with county and state exercise initiatives.
• Radiological Preparedness
• Coordinate training and exercises involving radiological response and nuclear power plant (SSES) preparedness.
• Attend regional meetings with utilities and PEMA; update and test county radiological plans.
• Provide training and briefings for EOC staff and volunteers.
• Participate in bi-annual evaluated exercises.
• Maintain radiological equipment, calibration schedules, and related records.
• Administrative and Technical Duties
• Prepare correspondence, reports, plans, spreadsheets, policies, and training materials.
• Maintain hazardous materials, radiological, emergency plans, and emergency services records.
• Use Microsoft software, WebEOC, Crisis Track, and emergency communications equipment.
• Maintain inventories of emergency management equipment; coordinate procurement and distribution.
• Assist with grants including EMPG, HMEP, RERF, and HMRF (applications, tracking, purchasing, documentation).
• Additional Functions
• Support the update of the Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years.
• Complete annual HAZMAT assessments with the Director.
• Coordinate warming and cooling shelters during extreme weather events.
• May serve as a 911 telecommunicator if required.
• Perform special projects and duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge

• Emergency Management laws and regulations including PEMA, FEMA, DCNR, Title 35, Act 165, and Act 147.
• Community disaster planning, county geography, emergency response capabilities, and departmental programs.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
• Hazardous materials operations and emergency planning requirements.

Required Certifications

• Within 6 months: ics-100, ics-200, ics-700, ics-800.
• Within 1 year: ics-300, ics-400.
• HAZMAT Operations 24-hour (NFPA 472).

Skills

• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to read and interpret technical materials and regulations.
• Report writing, procedure development, public presentations.
• Typing, computer literacy, and use of emergency management software.
• Basic math and analytical skills.

Working Conditions

• Work outside regular hours including nights, weekends, and emergencies.
• 24/7 on-call status with frequent overtime during incidents.
• Travel for training, meetings, site visits, and emergency response.
• Interaction with distressed or upset individuals during emergencies.
• Possible exposure to hazardous materials during facility support or incident response.

Physical Demands

• Periodic lifting up to and over 50 lbs.
• Standing for extended periods during training, operations, and drills.
• Work in extreme heat or cold during incidents or exercises.
• Ability to drive emergency management vehicles and trailers.

Disclaimer

This description outlines the general nature and responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties. Responsibilities may be modified or expanded as needed.