Special Operations (Hazmat) Team Coordinator

County Of Lehigh Pennsylvania•Allentown, PA

About The Position

The Special Operations Team Coordinator is responsible for the management, support and operation of the Special Operations Team (Spec Ops) which is a combination of Hazardous Materials Trained Personnel, Technical Rescue Personnel and Drone Team Personnel that provides continuous 24-hour, seven-days-a-week emergency coverage to Lehigh County and other jurisdictions as required under contract, agreement or as requested. Essential Duties : Manage, coordinate and operate specifically within the guidelines of the Lehigh County Uniform Hazardous Materials Response Plan. Ensure the Spec Ops operates within all OSHA, EPA, NFPA, NIOSH, PEMA or other agency requirements, directives or recommendations. Manage Spec Ops members and develop team leaders to assist in the various Spec Ops management roles outlined in the uniform Hazardous Materials Response Plan and Spec Operations "Standard Operating Guidelines". Compile incident response coordination, documentation and invoicing for responsible party reimbursement. Utilize software and/or other specialized computer aided software to record and document responses and requests for specialized resources and equipment Develop and reinforce operational relationships with neighboring/state/federal certified hazardous materials teams, bomb squads, technical rescue, clean up contractors and other special duty teams. Interact with necessary Local, State and Federal Agencies as required. Participates in the Northeast Counter Terrorism Task Force. Assist in development, submission, monitoring and administration of the grant requests and reports for the Hazardous Materials Response Fund, Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Training, Hazmat Annual Assessment, Radiological Emergency Response Fund, Team Re-Certification and other grants as necessary. Conduct the monthly Spec Ops meetings / training sessions and assure that the required topics are addressed to maintain Spec Ops certification. Responsible for the Spec Ops driver and equipment training programs. Plan, implement and critique Spec Ops exercises on a regular basis in accordance with PEMA guidelines and HSEPP. Manage and maintain inventory stock levels, both on the vehicles and at the storage locations to support team operations for hazards associated with the needs of the response area. Independently coordinate with outside providers for regular preventative maintenance, annual or recommended calibration or servicing of all critical Spec Ops equipment to ensure optimal response readiness. Utilize software utilities to enhance the operation of the Spec Ops computer-based research and Spec Ops notification capabilities. Oversee and manage software implementations and manage the Spec Ops internal website and social media. Develop annual comprehensive, five-year strategic plan from which to guide the capital spending plan and determine future Spec Ops Development Opportunities for personal, equipment and vehicles. Interact with the CAD/Radio Coordinator and other EMA staff on an as-needed basis to support the Spec Ops program. Provide required reports or presentations to the appropriate County LEPC (Lehigh and Northampton) at regularly scheduled meetings. Management, programming and upkeep of PC based relational database software used to maintain equipment inventory, training, time, attendance, payroll and medical records. Function as a member of the EMA Emergency Operations Staff as requested / required. Perform related work as requested / required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum five years supervisory experience in Emergency Services, specializing in Special Operations (HazMat, Technical Rescue).
Minimum of ten years of public safety in career or volunteer organization(s).
Proficiency in computer operations including Microsoft Office Suite (Access, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and shows demonstrated ability to become proficient in new computer software programs and operations.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.
Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
Read and assimilate information from highly technical written manuals and materials.
Interact with public safety agencies, state and federal officials, media and cleanup contractors.
Develop and present ideas both orally and written to small and larger groups of both peers and the general public.
Conduct media briefings or prepare press release documents for events and incidents as needed.
Speak, read, write fluently in English.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Compiles incident response documentation and invoicing for responsible party reimbursement.
Review chemical data information to determine risk and hazards to the first responders, public and environment.
Develop plume and air flow modeling for incidents involving hazardous materials, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive to help and ensure public safety officials determine personal protective equipment to be worn by first responders, areas that will need to shelter-in-place or evacuated to limit exposure to the public.
Develop radiation decay rates for radiological incidents to determine concentrations and acceptable levels (parts per million, parts per billion, and lethal concentration).
Use of geometry to ensure proper shoring for technical rescue incidents, proper load size for equipment being utilized to rescue the victim from a precarious location.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Research chemical properties, concentrations, and interactions to determine the safest way to render scenes safe, determine precautionary levels for first responders and the public safety.
Follow recommended guidelines and instructions for shoring and securing scene integrity.
Read and interpret technical guides and diagrams for hazmat and technical rescue incidents, be able to clearly convey information to the Incident Commander to determine and develop plans.
Minimum certified competency at the OSHA Hazardous Materials Technician level.
NFPA 472-2008 standard with Pro-Board Certification for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents.
Hazmat Incident Command and Hazmat Safety Officer Training.
Operations Level in Technical Rescue Discipline.
Ability to be available on duty or on-call on a 24-hour, seven-day basis, with an ability to respond to emergency scenes in an expeditious fashion.
Emergency Vehicle Operations Certification, with class C or higher Pennsylvania Driver's License.
Successful completion of a criminal history investigation.

Responsibilities

Manage, coordinate and operate specifically within the guidelines of the Lehigh County Uniform Hazardous Materials Response Plan.
Ensure the Spec Ops operates within all OSHA, EPA, NFPA, NIOSH, PEMA or other agency requirements, directives or recommendations.
Manage Spec Ops members and develop team leaders to assist in the various Spec Ops management roles outlined in the uniform Hazardous Materials Response Plan and Spec Operations "Standard Operating Guidelines".
Compile incident response coordination, documentation and invoicing for responsible party reimbursement.
Utilize software and/or other specialized computer aided software to record and document responses and requests for specialized resources and equipment
Develop and reinforce operational relationships with neighboring/state/federal certified hazardous materials teams, bomb squads, technical rescue, clean up contractors and other special duty teams.
Interact with necessary Local, State and Federal Agencies as required.
Participates in the Northeast Counter Terrorism Task Force.
Assist in development, submission, monitoring and administration of the grant requests and reports for the Hazardous Materials Response Fund, Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Training, Hazmat Annual Assessment, Radiological Emergency Response Fund, Team Re-Certification and other grants as necessary.
Conduct the monthly Spec Ops meetings / training sessions and assure that the required topics are addressed to maintain Spec Ops certification.
Responsible for the Spec Ops driver and equipment training programs.
Plan, implement and critique Spec Ops exercises on a regular basis in accordance with PEMA guidelines and HSEPP.
Manage and maintain inventory stock levels, both on the vehicles and at the storage locations to support team operations for hazards associated with the needs of the response area.
Independently coordinate with outside providers for regular preventative maintenance, annual or recommended calibration or servicing of all critical Spec Ops equipment to ensure optimal response readiness.
Utilize software utilities to enhance the operation of the Spec Ops computer-based research and Spec Ops notification capabilities.
Oversee and manage software implementations and manage the Spec Ops internal website and social media.
Develop annual comprehensive, five-year strategic plan from which to guide the capital spending plan and determine future Spec Ops Development Opportunities for personal, equipment and vehicles.
Interact with the CAD/Radio Coordinator and other EMA staff on an as-needed basis to support the Spec Ops program.
Provide required reports or presentations to the appropriate County LEPC (Lehigh and Northampton) at regularly scheduled meetings.
Management, programming and upkeep of PC based relational database software used to maintain equipment inventory, training, time, attendance, payroll and medical records.
Function as a member of the EMA Emergency Operations Staff as requested / required.
Perform related work as requested / required.