Linn County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is seeking an Emergency Management Specialist to join the team and serve as the Operations & Readiness Officer. Linn County EMA believes in strengthening our communities through pro-active planning, response, and recovery by creating a culture of exceptional all-hazard preparedness.
About Emergency Management Specialist: Full-time position to assist the Linn County Emergency Management Agency with all activities as authorized by Iowa State Code 29C. Works under the direct supervision of the Emergency Management Coordinator who reports to a 20-member executive Emergency Management Commission comprised of each elected municipal Mayor, the County Sheriff, and a representative of the County Board of Supervisors. Linn County, Iowa has a population of approximately 230,299 and covers 720 square miles located in east central Iowa. The County has 18 incorporated municipalities, the largest being the City of Cedar Rapids. The Linn County Emergency Management agency has a team of six staff members dedicated to providing services to all of the residents and communities of Linn County, Iowa. May perform all duties listed, with the majority of responsibilities in the operations function.
Hourly Wage: $28.13
- Performs work at the direction of the Agency Coordinator.
- Assists in the coordination of response to multi-hazard emergency or disaster conditions such as terrorism, earthquakes, major fire/wildfires, hazardous materials, nuclear incidents, imminent/actual flooding, imminent/actual dam failures and transportation networks.
- Assists with coordination of emergency preparedness procedures and resources for all county unincorporated areas and for individual cities.
- Confers with various public and private agencies and officials during emergent and non-emergent events.
- Participates and provides support for the Emergency Management Commission as directed by the Coordinator.
- Works with local responders, media and other agencies to monitor, coordinate and take appropriate actions to protect the public relating to changing weather conditions.
- Receives training in specialized technical fields; develops and conducts in-service programs for emergency response personnel and presents public education demonstrations in areas of expertise and/or certification; compiles, prepares and/or provides instructional materials, training and public education.
- Works with local, county, state and federal agencies and personnel on activities relating to homeland security and emergency management.
- Assists with coordination and activation of Emergency Operations Center (EOC) facilities and equipment.
- Coordinates the activities of the Emergency Operations Center and its supporting personnel during exercises, drills, or actual events.
- Ensures EOC communications and administrative equipment is operational 24 hours a day.
- Assists with severe weather incident coordination.
- Coordinates and develops volunteer support from various agencies to include: American Red Cross, Salvation Army, volunteer fire departments, ambulance services, Civil Air Patrol, Amateur Radio Clubs, Linn County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Linn County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and the Linn County Hazmat Team.
- Assists with designing and conducting emergency management exercises; provides instruction, guidance to exercises, and event participants; evaluates effectiveness and efficiency of exercise and event responses.
- Conducts public education training for all age groups.
- Assists other EMA staff members as needed.
- Other job duties and responsibilities as assigned.
- A two-year degree from an accredited college in Emergency Management or a closely related public safety field is required; graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree or equivalent in Emergency Management or a closely related public safety field is preferred.
- A minimum of two (2) years of public service or public safety-type employment or volunteer service at the local, county, state, federal level or military service in operations or disaster preparedness is required.
- Experience should include public contact and functions involving planning, organizing, or controlling human or physical resources.
- Current possession of an Iowa Certified Emergency Manager (IACEM) designation from the Iowa Emergency Management Association (IEMA) or ability to earn designation within three (3) years if qualified under other Minimum Training and Experience provisions; OR current employment in a position that is the equivalent of a local Emergency Management Assistant/Assistant Coordinator with twelve (12) months of full-time service and two (2) years’ experience shall be considered as qualifying; OR International Emergency Managers Association (IAEM) certification.
- Knowledge of the principles of planning, developing, and coordinating emergency management services; the techniques of emergency response and recovery; interrelationships, responsibilities, goals and functions of local, state, and federal government in planning and implementing emergency services.
- Knowledge of emergency communications and computer systems and applications; techniques of training and public speaking; public relations.
- Knowledge of and ability to operate office-oriented computer systems and computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) or other similar office products.
- Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely in both oral and written communications.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with full-time staff and community partners.
- Knowledge of or ability to organize assigned technical work and to develop effective work methods and task accomplishment procedures.
- Ability to anticipate, analyze, and evaluate potential disaster problems.
- Ability to understand and apply local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and directives governing disaster/emergency preparedness.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of agencies, organizations, and individuals.
- Ability to elicit the cooperation and support of county, city personnel and volunteers.
- Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and plans involving detail and coordination; communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
- Ability to meet with and deal effectively with differing groups of people from elected and appointed officials at the local, state, and federal level as well as local residents and voluntary organizations.
- Ability to work non-standard office hours during practice exercises and simulated or actual emergencies as required including availability for after duty hours recall by telephone, radio, or paging device to provide or coordinate Emergency Management operations or response.
- Ability to operate vehicles of various sizes and operate vehicles towing trailers.
- Ability to occasionally lift items of moderate weight (20-49 lbs).
- Ability to rarely move/lift items of heavy weight (>50 lbs).
Special Necessary Requirements:Valid State of Iowa Driver’s License required. Criminal background check and credit check required. Must pass a County physical examination which includes a drug test after offer of employment. Residency within a twenty (20) mile radius of Linn County Emergency Management Agency/EOC within three (3) months of completion of probation (extensions to both may be granted with approval of the Commission).Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
May work non-standard hours