Director of Public Safety

Benefits and Perks:

Northumberland County offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, and vision coverage)
• Generous Paid Time Off, including:
• Vacation Time
• Sick Leave
• Personal Days
• Retirement Plan/Pension through the county retirement system
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Position Summary:

Directs the planning, organization, operation, and readiness of the 911 Emergency Communications Center, Emergency Management Agency, and hazardous materials program for Northumberland County. Provides services of an enhanced 911 public safety answering point; multijurisdictional dispatch of police, fire, and emergency medical services; and County emergency management programs. Supervises assigned employees and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides for the judicious planning, assignment, and coordination of all available resources in an integrated program of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery for emergencies of any kind, whether from attack, or man-made or natural sources.
• Oversees operation, planning, service, and integrity of the County-enhanced 911 answering point and emergency dispatch center. Supervises assigned employees and volunteers. Develops and manages department’s annual operating budget.
• Ensures implementation of, compliance with, and administration of policies, practices, and guidelines relative to operations and functions of Emergency Management Agency and enhanced 911 Center.
• Directs delivery of services pertaining to emergency planning and response among general public, emergency services agencies, emergency management agencies, municipalities, countywide officials, and state and federal governments.
• Maintains appropriate communications between County and local municipal officials, police, fire, emergency medical services, and other EMA coordinators.
• Acts on behalf of County of Northumberland Board of Commissioners as liaison between state and federal agencies regarding administration and compliance of all programs and functions related to public safety.
• Coordinates County’s responsibilities for development of public safety plans specific to County of Northumberland and Northumberland County municipalities; updates all existing emergency and disaster plans.
• Maintains an emergency operations plan that meets state and federal mandates for accreditation in order to be allowed to participate in state and federal grant programs.
• Develops specifications for telephone, communications, and computer equipment. Ensures all emergency communications, telephone, and response equipment is monitored for proper maintenance and operation.
• Oversees grant application(s) for state and federal funds to enhance and ensure continued eligibility, programs’ exactness, and funding confirmation.
• Coordinates enhanced 911 Center and Emergency Management field activities.
• Provides training on emergency preparedness to local coordinators, school officials, public officials, hospitals, and any other relevant personnel.
• Gives public presentations to community, service, and social groups on topics such as the enhanced 911 communications systems or County of Blair emergency management.
• Ensures development and implementation of training programs for employees and volunteers. Implements training exercises. Provides employees and volunteers with needed training.
• Submits quarterly activity reports to Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). Attends quarterly PEMA training sessions, and other training sessions as required or authorized.
• Directs activation and functional operation of Emergency Operation Center.
• Performs other duties as assigned or directed.

Minimum Training & Experience:

• Holds high school diploma or GED. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Possesses a minimum of five years’ progressively responsible experience within a public safety and/or emergency management environment.
• Possesses EMA County Coordinator Basic Certification at hire or completes requirements necessary to obtain certification within one year of placement into position.
• Speaks and understands English.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state emergency management rules and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of emergency communications equipment and systems
• Knowledge of hazardous materials response planning, and hazardous materials emergency response practices.
• Possesses demonstrated experience with development and presentation of training programs for emergency response personnel.
• Demonstrated successful application of principles of employee relations, employment laws, human resources, labor relations, leadership, management, and planning sufficient to oversee operational divisions.
• Availability to provide on-call support 24 hours a day/seven days a week to address emergency issues; ability to travel, to work accommodating hours, and to respond to emergency situations when necessary.
• Possesses proficient interpersonal relations and communications skills (both oral and written).
• Possesses analysis, attention to detail, collaboration, customer service, initiative, and judgment.
• Keeps informed of industry-related information and trends.
• Regular, consistent presence at work site(s).
• Passes post-offer, pre-employment drug test and criminal background check(s).
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
• Reliable transportation.

Employment Category:

• Full Time
• Exempt

The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to successfully do the job.