CITY OF OVERLAND PARK - POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Community Preparedness Coordinator will prepare The Overland Park community for future emergencies and disasters. This is accomplished through programs and policies related to public education, community and professional training, exercises, public information & communication, as well as public promotion. The position is responsible for managing a city wide emergency management training and exercise program designed to prepare entities to respond and recover from disasters and validate emergency operations planning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordinate the development and implementation of an effective city wide community preparedness and public education program designed to increase the community's overall preparedness and reduce its vulnerability from the impacts of disaster.

Develop and implement strategies and tactics to significantly increase meaningful preparedness actions throughout the community.

Continually evaluate the preparedness gaps of the community and devise strategies to address the gaps and increase meaningful preparedness activities.

Continually improve the quantity and quality of community disaster education activities in Overland Park by engaging, increasing, supporting, and aligning disaster education activities.

Develop, support, and promote programs, activities, and initiatives focused on meaningful preparedness actions throughout the community.

Actively evaluate the outcomes of community preparedness activities to ensure continual improvement and optimal effectiveness.

Coordinate the development, implementation, and maintenance of the City's training and exercise program designed to meet the needs of Overland Park.

Continually evaluate and annually document the training and exercise needs of Overland Park Emergency Management and its stakeholders.

Inform the community leveraging a wide variety of technologies and tactics, including but not limited to social media, websites, videos, notification systems, broadcast media, print media, community presentations, and dissemination through partner agencies and community organizations.

In support of the organization's mission and serving as the Division's community/volunteer coordinator, collaborate with community organizations and volunteers to achieve common goals including providing direct support to the Division's volunteers and CERT program.

Conducts Support Emergency Management Program initiatives, projects and operational readiness and response activities including serving as “on-call” emergency EOC support to perform operational responsibilities such as activating the Emergency Operations Center during severe weather watches/warnings, significant hazardous materials incidents and other emergency/disaster situations requiring City coordination and response.

The employee must work the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with subordinates, supervisors, customers, vendors and any other persons or organization with which interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals. Must be available and in communications with City leadership on a 24/7 basis.

The employee must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks, where applicable.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & SPECIAL LICENSE(S)/CERTIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Disaster Management, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, or a related field of study is preferred.

Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain an insurable driving record.

Must possess certificate for ICS 100, 200, 700, 800.

Additional FEMA courses are desirable.

A Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certification is required within five years from date of hire.

EXPERIENCE:

Three years of experience in emergency/disaster management to include emergency planning, implementation of plans and procedures, training and exercises and emergency communications.

SKILLS:

Emergency planning and operations' management.

Coordinating disaster recovery operations.

Operating Emergency Operations Center.

Effective oral and written communication skills.

Requires proficiency in spreadsheet and word processing software applications.

Effective listening skills.

Effective interpersonal skills.

Organization and presentation skills.

Leadership skills.

Training & exercise development.

Basic understanding of weather systems

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and directives relating to emergency planning and preparedness.

Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

Ability to evaluate emergency situations and recommend courses of actions.

Ability to recognize and protect confidential information.

Ability to act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.

Abstract and logical reasoning.

Ability to train and guide others.

Ability to organize and retrieve data effectively.

Alpha and numeric recognition.

Ability to meet deadlines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Hand and eye coordination adequate to input computer and operate office equipment.

Ability to identify and distinguish colors.

Visual stamina and acuity adequate to review alpha/numeric data.

Ability to attend/conduct meetings and be attentive for extended periods of time.

Ability to make and receive phone calls.

Ability to speak clearly.

Ability to operate City vehicles.

Ability to work extended hours for an extended period of time.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (Direct & Indirect):

Volunteers.

Qualified CERT personnel.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.