Supports the operations and activities of the county’s Emergency Management Department; coordinates with local, state, and federal agencies involved with the Hazardous Materials Division; assists in other specialization areas defined by current department needs.

Under the direction of the Senior Emergency Management Specialist, during major/critical incidents and/or disasters, coordinates and implements emergency response of Weapons of Mass Destructions/Hazardous Materials Team, requests and directs team as needed; assesses scene and coordinates internally and externally as appropriate. Conducts after action reviews and assessments.

Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal rules, regulations and standards concerning emergency response: Collects, maintains, analyzes and interprets data; provides recommendations and initiates corrective actions.

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $50,356 - $65,977 (Estimated Annual Salary)

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK

• Serve as the emergency management department’s representative with municipal, county, state, and federal partners as it relates to the Hazardous Materials Division.
• Serve as the: 
  1. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) Regional Weapons of Mass Destruction Team, County Hazardous Materials Team Coordinator. 
  2. County Local Emergency Planning Committee Coordinator.
• Manage the duties that fall within the Hazardous Materials Division: teams and programs; admin and logistics; budget and grant planning.
  1. Coordinates planning and training for assigned emergency response teams; works with team leads to determine current and future team needs; sets goals, priorities, and objectives. 
  2. In conjunction with the Hazmat Logistics Specialist assists with maintaining SLED D4H software data. Procures equipment and ensures equipment is operational, maintained, and regularly serviced. 
  3. In conjunction with the Hazmat Administrative Specialist executes the Charleston County Hazardous Substance Ordinance NO.1139: assist with other relating plans, standard operating procedures, guides, and checklists.
  4. In conjunction with the department's Finance and Project Manager; develops and maintains budget, grants, and other financial duties. 
• Assist with ensuring that the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is always in a state of readiness, able to respond to incidents that occur without warning and assisting team members to meet Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) standards. 
• Respond as required during emergencies or hazardous weather conditions, including assisting in set-up, maintenance, and operations of the EOC. Work could be at night, weekends and/or holidays. 
  1. Serves as the fire service liaison for EMD to assist Emergency Support Functions 4 (Fire Services), 9 (Rescue Services) and 10 (Hazardous Materials).
• Assist with the coordination of mitigation, response, relief and recovery activities following a disaster or emergency.
• Serves as an on-call duty officer on a rotating basis.
• Keep immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems, to include program shortfalls and requirements.
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Communicate and coordinate regularly with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Assist in performing public awareness presentations for civic groups, private and public organizations, town meetings, etc.
• Perform other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• 3-5 years of experience in hazmat operations and/or emergency management. 
• The following certifications are required or must be obtained within 3 years.
  1. National Incident Management System 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800.
  2. Special Operations Program Management and Leadership (R0254) 
  3. Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incident Command (R0243)
  4. Hazardous Material Operations and Technician training
• Must possess or have an ability to obtain a valid South Driver’s License indicating a clean DMV record. Ability to obtain a “Class E” license required. 
• South Carolina (or other state equivalent) Certified Emergency Manager or IAEM Certified Emergency Manager preferred, but not required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, but not required.

Knowledge & Skills 

• Relative and recent experience in Weapons of Mass Destruction/Hazardous Materials, use of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear detection equipment, Emergency Management, and Public Safety.
• Thorough knowledge of hazmat operations and emergency management.
• Thorough knowledge of National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• Thorough knowledge of functions and operations of local, state and the federal government as they pertain to disaster response.
• Needs knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, practices, policies and guidelines relating to hazmat operations and emergency management.
• Needs knowledge of Tier 2 reporting.
• Skilled in communicating effectively with others, both orally and in writing.
• Skilled in speaking in public before both large and small groups.
• Skilled in Office 365 required.

Abilities

• Able to complete additional training as required, examples: hazardous materials courses, FEMA courses, etc.
• Able to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions.
• Able to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Able to exercise critical thinking to respond to fast-changing environments in high-pressure situations.
• Able to make judgment calls and decisions and apply those decisions in the office and in the field operations.
• Able to plan, organize, and coordinate disaster preparedness activities involving variety of groups and organizations. 
• Able to use integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Able to work independently and establish priorities as well as plan for and meet deadlines.
• Able and willing to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Able to gain knowledge and skillset required to operate advanced emergency management operating software.
• Able to operate a motor vehicle at night, and in a variety of weather and traffic conditions.