POSITION PURPOSE:

The Emergency Preparedness Coordinator is responsible for planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating regional homeland security, emergency management, and community preparedness initiatives for the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG). This position develops strategic emergency preparedness plans, administers homeland security grant-funded projects, coordinates regional training and exercises, and facilitates training for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The Emergency Preparedness Coordinator serves as a regional technical resource and collaborates extensively with local, state, and federal partners to strengthen regional preparedness, prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities. Reports directly to the Public Safety Planning Program Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Planning

1. Author, revise, and maintain regional strategic plans to include the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA), Stakeholder Preparedness Report (SPR), Implementation Plan (IP), Regional Resource Guide, and Regional Interoperable Communications Plan, and Mass Fatality Plan.
2. Evaluate emerging threats, hazards, and national preparedness guidance to recommend regional planning priorities.
3. Coordinate, assist, and participate in emergency preparedness, homeland security, and first responder-related training and exercises throughout the region.
4. Identify and recommend emerging training needs for first responders, emergency management officials, and local jurisdictions.
5. Recommend new or modified policies, procedures, programs, and planning initiatives that support regional emergency preparedness and homeland security objectives.
6. Prepare and deliver presentations on homeland security planning, preparedness initiatives, regional needs, and program activities to committees, outside groups, local governments, and partner agencies.
7. Schedule and coordinate the monthly Homeland Security Advisory Committee (HSAC) meeting and the Communications, Intelligence, Strategic Documents, and Communications subcommittee meetings.
8. Serve as an advisory member on the HSAC, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and other regional workgroups or committees as assigned.
9. Serve as the regional point of contact for WebEOC user support and system maintenance for participating jurisdictions and regional partners.
10. Coordinate WebEOC training and technical assistance for regional users to support emergency preparedness, incident response, resource coordination, situational awareness, and disaster documentation.
11. Support the use of WebEOC during incidents, disasters, planned events, exercises, emergency operations center activations, and Multi-Agency Coordination Center activations.
12. Support implementation of the National Preparedness Goal and National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Community Preparedness

1. Develop, maintain, and support Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) capabilities throughout the Brazos Valley region.
2. Administer the BVCOG Citizen Corps program, including planning, outreach, organization, recruitment, volunteer coordination, and program development.
3. Coordinate and deliver CERT Basic Training, Stop the Bleed training, and other supplemental training to Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), CERTs, and other community organizations. 
4. Assist in educating the community on the importance of emergency preparedness, disaster readiness, and individual/family preparedness.
5. Maintain active involvement and working relationships with community organizations, volunteer groups, local governments, first responders, and emergency preparedness partners.
6. Serve as Volunteer Coordinator during emergencies, exercises, special events, or emergency preparedness-related activities when requested.
7. Manage Citizen Corps and CERT equipment, supplies, response materials, training materials, mannequins, and medical kits.

Grant Management

1. Administer and support the regional State Homeland Security Program grant in accordance with BVCOG’s contract requirements, Office of the Governor Homeland Security Division guidance, applicable state and federal grant rules, and regional homeland security priorities.
2. Assist with the planning, coordination, application, administration, monitoring, and closeout of SHSP-funded projects for BVCOG and eligible local jurisdictions within the Brazos Valley region.
3. Provide technical assistance to local governments and regional partners regarding SHSP eligibility requirements, allowable costs, application development, project documentation, procurement requirements, reporting requirements, and grant timelines.
4. Assist local jurisdictions with identifying homeland security needs, developing project requests, aligning projects with regional priorities, and ensuring proposed projects support emergency preparedness, prevention, protection, response, recovery, cybersecurity, interoperable communications, training, equipment, planning, or exercise objectives.
5. Prepare and submit grant reports, reimbursement requests, project updates, budget revisions, grant adjustment requests, and other required documentation as assigned.
6. Support the development, submission, administration, tracking, and reporting of other state, federal, local, or privately funded grants and special funding programs assigned to BVCOG Public Safety.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES:

This position requires the employee to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

1. Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.
2. Effective Communication: Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing; demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; and listens effectively. Demonstrates the ability to develop audiovisual presentations to both internal and external audiences.
3. Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work.
4. Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed; attends, supports, and participates in all team building exercises and events

CORE COMPETENCIES:

To perform this job successfully, the employee should have:

1. Strategic Planning: Develops and implements long-term goals, objectives, and strategies that support the organization. Aligns program activities with organizational priorities and identifies opportunities for program expansion and improvement.
2. Technical Expertise: Demonstrates working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and the ability to learn and use grant management systems, WebEOC, databases, reporting tools, and other software necessary to support program operations. Understands emergency management principles, homeland security planning, preparedness, response coordination, and regional public safety operations. Applies this knowledge to support local governments, first responders, emergency management officials, and regional preparedness initiatives.
3. Communication and Collaboration: Communicates clearly and professionally both verbally and in writing. Prepares and delivers presentations, reports, meeting materials, and program updates to local governments, public safety agencies, committees, community partners, and members of the public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training and Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in emergency management, homeland security, public administration, political science, criminal justice, or a related field is preferred. An associate degree in a related field may be accepted with relevant work experience, training, or certifications that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
2. Successful completion of a criminal history background check, education, and work history verification.
3. Must complete a minimum of 24 hours of professional development training each year as part of this position.

License and Certifications:

• Valid Texas driver's license at the time of placement and reliable transportation.
• Must have the ability to earn certifications as required by assigned tasks.

SUPERVISION:

Reports directly to the Public Safety Planning Program Manager and/or designee through supervisory channels. Ability to work independently and to assume responsibility for completion of complex workload without close supervision.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with occasional travel throughout the region to support county, municipal, and public safety partners. This position may require occasional travel to and from meetings, training events, and conferences. To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending meetings. The employee must be able to communicate via email and verbally via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 50 pounds and be comfortable driving a truck while towing a 12-foot trailer used to transport training materials. Primary activities are conducted within a well-lit, climate-controlled office, while some CERT/community preparedness activities must be conducted in an outdoor environment with exposure to the outdoor elements.

Occasional out-of-town trips may be required to attend special events and training sessions

Work week is Monday through Friday during normal business-type hours (8am-5pm). Weekend and after-hours work may be required during CERT/community preparedness training activities/events or during disasters or emergencies.

ADA STATEMENT

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, BVCOG will make reasonable accommodation to the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee to enable people with disabilities to enjoy equal employment opportunities, if it would not impose an "undue hardship" on the operation of the employer's business.

ETHICS

As a public agency, BVCOG is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards. Applicants selected for employment are expected to perform work responsibilities with the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and honesty, to merit the respect of our co-workers, clients, partners, vendors and the general public. Applicants selected for employment are also expected to serve the public with dedication, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.