Senior Specialist-Emergency Management

Salary range is $61k to $155k, with a midpoint of $108k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Director of Emergency Management, the Senior Emergency Management Specialist plans, develops, and coordinates all-hazard emergency prevention, protection, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities in support of Sound Transit's Emergency Management Program. Develops, implements, and maintains various emergency plans and operations per Federal and State regulations to ensure safe and efficient response to, recovery from, and management of emergency situations that may affect Sound Transit operations.

Ensures compliance with Federal and State regulations that impact daily operations; researches and develops emergency management plans; designs and administers training, drills, and exercises to prepare staff for effective response to major emergencies and disasters; performs other related duties as required. During an actual emergency, this position will support coordination of agency response and recovery operations. Develops and implements programs to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of emergency events; maintains awareness of trends and potential risks, processes, or systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards; develops and recommends emergency management process improvements and procedures to upper management; coordinates assigned activities with other programs.

Provides and coordinates emergency preparedness functions, processes, procedures, plans, training, and resources as needed or required to ensure employees are trained and prepared in response to emergency scenarios or incidents that may be encountered while at work. Designs and administers appropriate training for various emergencies, including medical emergencies, fires, earthquakes, power failures, civil disturbances, bomb threats, workplace violence, and active shooter incidents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• In coordination with the Director of Emergency Management, assist in the development, execution, and maintenance of an Emergency Management program. Act as a vital team member to ensure continuity of operations is maintained allowing Sound Transit to continue essential operations and to recover from disaster disruptions in normal business operations. Ensure emergency plans comply with local, state, and federal regulations and directives.
• Draft, organize, update, and maintain Emergency Management Program institutional emergency documents such as Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Agency Continuity Plan (ACP).
• Prepare and conduct a variety of Agency-wide technical studies and reports relating to current and long-range emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery needs and develop specific proposals to meet them.
• Establish effective liaison and coordination with local, state, and federal emergency management agencies. Participate in local, state, and federal planning and preparedness activities.
• Provide support to internal stakeholders, and others on matters as required; serve as staff on a variety of committees as requested; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporate new developments as appropriate; ensure processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensure accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Identify, develop, and conduct relevant and targeted training for agency personnel, and first responders to ensure awareness of ST's comprehensive disaster planning and preparedness requirements. Act as SME for internal and external agency customers in developing emergency management training and outreach opportunities.
• Identify additional outreach and opportunities for positive public relations outreach. Coordinate with ST Communications to increase public awareness of ST emergency management training and preparedness actions. Maintain knowledge of partner events and identify opportunities for involvement.
• Coordinate with other EM Specialist(s) and Senior EMs to develop training and awareness outreach as appropriate.
• Review identified Improvement Plan (IP) items, After-Action Reports, and Corrective Actions for possible education or outreach opportunities.
• Develop and implement EM awareness campaign within ST to increase understanding of EM responsibility and employee personal preparedness.
• Attend relevant meetings and outreach opportunities.
• Act as liaison for external Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordination between ST and partner agencies.
• Ensure ST leadership is kept up to date with EOC activations and ST engagement in events.
• Coordinate response protocols and training for EOC activations.
• Ensure EM planning for NWS Severe Weather Events and dissemination of Alert messages to agency personnel.
• Support agency as SME for emergency management elements for audits of ST transit modes.
• Ensure coordination with others for supporting documentation and corrective action regarding audit observations or findings, and corrective actions.
• Identify educational/outreach opportunities to promote emergency management to other agency departments.
• Support plan review and update processes to continuously improve emergency management functions.
• Primary contact with municipalities, contractors, and other entities within ST operational areas.
• Oversee completion of all action items identified in formal debrief process for internal stakeholders.
• Serve as SME for Emergency Management functions working with Employee Health and Safety in the areas of fire prevention, emergency preparedness, fire suppression, and emergency evacuation/response.
• Serves as the point of contact and subject matter expert on addressing employee emergency preparedness concerns and issues.
• Serves as an interface between Sound Transit employee security and safety.
• Ensures employee emergency preparedness functions, processes, procedures, plans, training, and resources are properly aligned and compliant with agency emergency protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Develops, updates, posts, and distributes Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans (procedures and maps) for agency-owned facilities as needed to comply with applicable fire codes and agency emergency protocols. Works with agency space planning to ensure required plans are in place prior to occupancy of new properties.
• Upon request, assist with coordination with local fire departments concerning code compliance, coordination, cooperation, and prevention.
• Provides support to emergency management programs for all agency employees, coordinates with various workgroups, divisions, and units on correcting fire/life and occupational safety hazards and addresses employee safety concerns as assigned.
• Provides support to other emergency management team members and safety programs as assigned.
• Collaborate and work effectively with multiple departments and personnel, and work as a team within own department.
• Communicate effectively and clearly using both written and verbal communications with employees at all levels in the Agency.
• Prioritize workload and complete projects and assignments with accuracy and timeliness.
• Organize, analyze, interpret, and clearly explain operation/technical information in simple terms.
• Conduct all business in a professional, collaborative, and respectful manner with both internal and external customers and staff.
• Research and create a comprehensive list of drill and exercise requirements for all modes.
• Evaluate possible requirement overlap and recommend efficiency improvements.
• Develop long-term plan that will incorporate training, as well as an incremental drill and exercise schedule to ensure first responders can develop baseline knowledge of alignment issues within their jurisdiction. Ensure coordinated and continued education to build upon current knowledge and skills.
• Identify future events, drills, or exercises that may require additional temporary support personnel.
• Maintain awareness of past, current, and future events to ensure consistent coordination of training and activities.
• Coordinate outreach to ST staff for education on individual responsibilities at drills and exercises, as well as real-world events. Provide understanding of their role in evangelizing ICS and emergency management practices within ST.
• Coordinates modal and regional training exercises and evaluates results; prepare user manuals for emergency procedures.
• Coordinate with other specialists to ensure the validation of training through drills and exercises.
• Create baseline templates for drills and exercises to provide standardized training for new sections of alignment.
• Facilitates formal post-event debrief process of After-Action Report (AAR) and completion of an Improvement Plan (IP) and/or CAP. Coordinate with other specialists to ensure completion of IP/CAP tasks or mitigations identified.
• Responsible for all event logistics for drills and exercises.
• Develop relationships with local stakeholders, volunteers, and first responders to maintain a solid team effort.
• As required, coordinate with local jurisdictions to develop specialized drills and exercises.
• Seek out and foster relationships with other SMEs who can support and provide insight into specialized drills.
• Coordinate development and maintenance of all relevant agency emergency management plans.
• Identify any missing plans and identify process and schedule to create and maintain new plans.
• Emergency Operations Plan (EOP): Maintain the current plan and ensure regular review and update as operational changes occur. Assist and act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for internal customers.
• Provide regular updates on progress or concerns with plan maintenance.
• Agency Continuity Plan (ACP): Maintain the current plan and ensure annual review and update by section owners.
• Assist and act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for internal customers. Provide regular updates on progress or concerns with plan maintenance.
• Coordinate with relevant business units, such as Information Technology, to ensure their Disaster Recovery (DR) plans are developed and maintained. Provide SME insight to support the ongoing development and coordination of DR plans. Identify areas where plans are lacking and support development and maturation DR plans.
• Develop and maintain current Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) for each county along ST alignment. Ensure annual review and update of THIRA every five years. Coordinate review with all other plans to ensure updated responses for identified hazards as necessary.
• Ensure input is provided to ensure agency plans and projects meet federal/state/local regulatory compliance standards.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency and as an emergency management leader.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Community Planning, Business Continuity, or a related field. Four years of experience in safety, transit operations, or first responder experience; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid state driver's license. Position is required to transport PPE for first responders, training materials for classroom instruction, and continuity kit movement between locations.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Graduation from FEMA's Emergency Manager Professional Development Series.
• Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credentials.
• Completion of NIMS trainings IS100, IS200, IS700, IS800, and IS2200.
• Completion of ICS 300, ICS 400, G191, and G2300
• ICS Instructor.
• Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP) certification.
• Master Continuity Program (MCP) certification.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• General principles, practices, and procedures of emergency management.
• Methods and techniques of data collection, research, report preparation, and financial analysis.
• Organizational principles and management practices including the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the National Response Framework (NRF), the National Preparedness Goals (NPG), and the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF).
• All-hazard preparedness, response, and recovery impacts and planning issues.
• ICS and EOC operations.
• Federal and Homeland Security grant administration.
• Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
• Current emergency management planning principles, methods, and techniques.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including ADA.
• Applying principles and practices of emergency management.
• Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings.
• Coordinating employee emergency preparedness functions, processes, procedures, and resources for drill exercises or in response to an emergency.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all Sound Transit staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the public.
• Identifying emergency management training needs.
• Implementing programs, services, and training within functional area aligned with agency policies and emergency protocols.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Interpreting federal, state, and local regulations as well as agency policies and procedures to sufficiently administer programs and processes, discuss and explain to employees, and resolve issues.
• Maintaining confidentiality of information and managing and handling security sensitive information.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Monitoring emergency management programs and recommending adjustments.
• Principles and methods for curriculum and training design and instruction for individuals and groups.
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing various individuals such as employees, internal agency management, the public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Recent developments, current literature, and information related to trends in emergency management.
• Serving as an effective member of a department staff or team to ensure collaboration and team effectiveness.
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Using appropriate oral and written communication to respond to inquiries and concerns, provide training and instruction, and reporting out information in meetings.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs, databases, and management systems affecting assigned work and in compiling spreadsheets, reports, and documents.
• Working cooperatively with other divisions, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Familiar with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data and products.
• Familiar with Crisis Management Systems such as WebEOC, Veoci, and similar.
• Familiar with Mass Warning Notification (MWN) systems such as Everbridge, Adhoc, and similar.
• Experience in the transit/rail industry.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Positions working in the field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Position is required to transport PPE for first responders, training materials for classroom instruction, and continuity kit movement between locations; may be subject to bending, grasping, kneeling, sitting, and carrying and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Position is required to attend events in the field that may require accessing platforms, stations, and transit vehicles; may be subject to climbing, hearing, standing, talking, seeing, and walking.
• Position includes on call and weekend/night shifts when required for special/notice events or for no-notice events that require activation of an Emergency Operations Center or support/coordination at city/county EOC.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.