Operations Section Chief, Grant Services Specialist III (NCS) - Baltimore City Fire Department, OEM

Baltimore City • Baltimore, MD

5d • $67,687 - $116,360 • Onsite

About The Position

The Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is seeking an Operations Section Chief for a non-benefit, contractual, non-civil-service position. The role supervises and supports OEM operations for natural and man-made emergencies, including staffing and oversight of the Duty Officer Program, emergency response, emergency operations center management, training, communications, and coordination with City, regional, state, and federal partners. The position may require on-call availability, field response, and staffing operational locations outside normal business hours during emergencies or special events.

The Operations Section Chief develops and maintains operational procedures, advises OEM leadership, supports community outreach and emergency preparedness, and maintains awareness of developments in hazardous materials, emergency response, and disaster management. The position also manages Auxiliary Communications Services, serves as a liaison for critical infrastructure and key resources, supports emergency alerts, and coordinates training and exercises with other OEM sections and City agencies.

This is a contractual position and is not eligible for retirement benefits. The City describes the position as non-benefit. The selected candidate must complete a mandatory six-month probation. Candidates under final consideration for positions of trust must complete the required criminal background check and/or fingerprinting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, political science, public health, emergency management, planning, or a related field.
• The posting’s minimum qualifications require at least internship-level experience in public policy and administration, public safety, emergency management, or other relevant experience.
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid Maryland Class C noncommercial driver's license or equivalent, and eligibility to obtain a Baltimore City driver's permit; provisional licenses and learner permits are not accepted.
• Upload a copy of a valid driver's license with the application.
• Knowledge of public and business administration and management, including planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling.
• Knowledge of information collection, organization, interpretation, and presentation; accounting, budgeting, fiscal controls, and statistics; and management practices and methods.
• Knowledge of applicable state, federal, and departmental laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and processes.
• Knowledge of needs assessment, effective communication, program evaluation, performance improvement, and the theoretical disciplines relevant to the work.
• Knowledge of budget, grant, or contract administration and strategic policy formulation and evaluation.
• Ability to apply administrative-analysis concepts and techniques to specific projects; identify problems and recommend solutions; and interpret and apply laws, regulations, standards, and procedures.
• Ability to prepare and present clear, concise reports and recommendations; compile and analyze financial and operational data; and coordinate organizational units.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others; research and write complex narrative and statistical reports; and speak and testify effectively before governmental and legal bodies, the media, and community and business groups.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, community and business groups, and diverse individuals.
• Skills in collecting, analyzing, evaluating, and presenting data; conducting needs assessments; management and administration; and budget, grant, or contract administration.
• Successful completion of required background checks and/or fingerprinting for candidates under final consideration for positions of trust.
• Completion of a mandatory six-month probation.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree or certification in public administration, political science, emergency management, public health preparedness, or a similar field.
• At least one year of professional experience, including direct experience with federal grant programs.
• Background in developing catastrophic planning initiatives.
• Experience with project management, especially large emergency-management planning projects.
• The job summary also describes four or more years of professional experience in emergency response, direct experience with community outreach programs, project-management experience, and staff-supervision experience as desired.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the OEM Duty Officer Program, including staffing on-call shifts, ensuring smooth shift transitions, and maintaining staff professionalism and discipline.
• Train OEM and other staff in hazardous-material identification, handling, abatement, and disposal; equipment and supplies; disaster protocols; and emergency-management response techniques and procedures.
• Receive impending emergency weather warnings and take appropriate preparatory actions.
• Respond to major natural and man-made incidents, including mass disasters and hazardous-material events; assist with patient triage and transfers, communications with hospitals, and evacuation and shelter operations.
• Maintain effective working relationships with fire suppression, emergency medical, and other public and private responders in Baltimore and neighboring jurisdictions.
• Ensure decontamination of vehicles, equipment, and personnel to address communicable diseases, pest infestation, and hazardous biological or chemical materials.
• Review and edit emergency-management reports for accuracy and completeness.
• Investigate citizen complaints, commendations, accidents involving OEM personnel, and on-the-job injuries or deaths; document findings and determine the guilt or innocence of accused personnel.
• Oversee and maintain OEM radio communications technology, training, and equipment.
• Advise Deputy Directors and the Director on operational issues and areas of concern.
• Provide information to the media at emergency or disaster scenes in accordance with City public-information and privacy guidelines.
• As needed, notify families of injured personnel and arrange family or personnel transportation to or from hospitals.
• Work with the Preparedness Section Chief on community outreach projects and programs.
• Maintain awareness of developments in CBRNE and other hazardous materials, emergency-response technologies and strategies, and relevant City, state, and federal laws and policies.
• Manage Auxiliary Communications Services (RACES).
• Serve as liaison for Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR), including management of priority lists.
• Provide Incident Command System (ICS) training to other City agencies, such as the Baltimore Police Department.
• Work with the Training and Exercise Section Chief to develop a multi-year training and exercise schedule.
• Attend Urban Area Working Group subcommittee meetings, including Special Operations, Hazmat, and Training & Exercise.
• Serve as a liaison among OEM, BPD, DHS, MCAC, MJOC, and other partners.
• Develop and maintain operations-section standard operating procedures with assistance from the Planning Section Chief.
• Work with the emergency alert system.
• Serve as an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) point of contact.
• Ensure the applicable Emergency Operations Center (EOC) location opens when needed; manage, maintain, and operate the EOC.
• Perform other work as required, including Duty Officer Program coverage, field response, and staffing the City's EOC, staging area, or other operational command outside normal business hours during emergencies or special events.
• Work rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, in an office and at incident scenes as needs dictate.

Benefits

• The City generally offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and flexible spending account plans, as well as wellness programs, support groups, and workshops; this position is described as non-benefit and grant positions are not eligible for retirement benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level