What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director Emergency Management (7396) position at SEPTA?
Secure your FUTURE with SEPTA today!
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the sixth largest transportation system in the United States, with a vast network of fixed route services including bus, subway/elevated, trackless trolley, light rail, and commuter rail serving a 2,200 square mile service region. SEPTA has become an integral force in the economic success of the Philadelphia region, providing an efficient and reliable source of transportation.
We are seeking candidates for the position of Director Emergency Management (7396) in the System Safety.
Opening Date: 04/02/2025
Closing Date: 04/16/2025
Job Grade: SAM 42
Salary Range: $104,000.00 - $130,000.00
OVERALL DESCRIPTION
The Director of Emergency Management is responsible to develop and maintain a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan that includes prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery initiatives for the Authority’s Emergency Management Program. The position serves as the liaison representing SEPTA with various local emergency response agencies/departments, local Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs), and local Emergency Management Coordinators (EMCs) in the SEPTA region including the Philadelphia Fire Department and other local, state, and federal departments and agencies supporting all aspects of the Emergency Management Program. In addition, provides education, training, develops and oversees disaster training exercises, and outreach to internal and external stakeholders ensuring that the Authority is prepared to respond to natural and man-made disasters. Also, provides highly complex administrative support to the Chief Safety Officer or Designee and General Manager; and performs related duties as assigned.
Emergency Management is governed by SEPTA's Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP), Section 3 - Security and Emergency Preparedness, which outlines the responsibilities of the section within the Office of Safety Management and Risk Control. This position will be the sole state employee with responsibility for Section 3 focusing on the Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), Emergency Operations Plan and emergency drill and exercises and subsequent after-action reports. In addition, this position would become mission critical in the ongoing mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery for the agency or any public health emergency.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensures high staff morale and adequacy of manpower and staff training to ensure the department goals and programs are being implemented. Instills a professional, positive, and supportive philosophy in all staff.
- Supervises the daily activities of direct reports, develops individual goals, provides work assignments, ensures implementation of work assignments, and promotes success through training, support, and constructive feedback.
- Works with the Chief Safety Officer or Designee on Budgetary planning and spending for both Operating & Capital expenses and manages spending and utilization of the department budget.
- Facilitates two-way communication between internal and external stakeholders on SEPTA's Emergency Management Policy, performance targets, federal regulations, educational programs, training, and all aspects of advancing the Emergency Management System.
- Stays current with emergency regulations, standards, and industry trends to ensure that SEPTA’s safety programs are complying.
- Attends and participates in professional meetings; stays abreast of regulations, trends and innovations in the field of transportation emergency preparedness.
- Stays current with emerging and established technologies and products and evaluates both for suitability and effectiveness in addressing SEPTA’s emergency preparedness needs.
- Develops change management strategies that establish performance triggers and thresholds for invoking the safety risk management process.
- Designs, plans, and organizes disaster drills and exercises; develops and delivers training on emergency management topics as needed. Analyzes and evaluates drills, exercises, training performance and preparedness and adjusts as needed.
- Participates in Philadelphia License & Inspection and local municipality audits and inspections, follows up on outstanding issues.
ADDL / DISCIPLINE RESPONSIBILITIES
11. Organizes and conducts annual emergency evacuation drills exercises, with outside agencies per Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations.
12. Ensures audits are conducted for Fire/Life Safety equipment, fire alarm systems, fire suppression systems, fire extinguishers, etc.
13. Ensures all Fire/Life Safety related programs, guidelines, and fact sheets are maintained to current codes, regulations, and standards.
14. Creates and participates in and supports the Emergency Management Committee.
15. Works with insurance underwriters and representatives to ensure implementation of loss controls.
ADDL / DISCIPLINE RESPONSIBILITIES
16. Ensures Authority infrastructure and physical plant improvement projects maintain compliance with the NFPA standards, the International Fire Code, and any codes, standards, and regulations required by SEPTA and/or an Authority Having Jurisdiction.
17. Develops, updates, and coordinates the management of Emergency Preparedness programs including the Emergency Management Operation Plan (EMOP), Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness Plan (PTEPP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and the Emergency Response Information Guidebook (ERIG) to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, codes, and standards. Conducts periodic compliance audits of programs and plans.
18. Develops relationships with, and acts as a liaison with other local, regional, state and federal governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies, and businesses to ensure coordinated emergency/disaster response. Consults with agencies and businesses to determine needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.
19. Prepares emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs and preliminary damage assessments.
ADDL / DISCIPLINE RESPONSIBILITIES
20. Supports SEPTA with emergency preparedness functions and programs including the study and analysis of vulnerability to disaster and response capabilities; long-term disaster mitigation plans and programs.
21. Maintains the operational readiness of key District facilities and systems for emergency operations and manages compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), NIMSCAST, and other rules and regulations.
22. Identifies opportunities for process improvements and innovations to enhance safety practices and outcomes.
23. Collaborates with various departments within System Safety, Operations, HR, Communications and Legal to ensure alignment of safety efforts with broader SEPTA wide goals.
24. Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Safety Officer or his/her Designee.
25. Responds to and investigates emergency management incidents/emergencies as needed/required.
26. Maintains a cell phone for 24-hours a day/7-days a week accessibility.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- B. S. degree in emergency management, criminal justice, public safety, public/security administration or a related field and a minimum of 10 years of progressive work experience in emergency management, disaster planning, and business continuity planning or a related field required.
- Must possess a valid driver's license.
- Strong knowledge of NFPA, ICC, NIMS/ICS, City of Philadelphia, FTA, FRA and other local, state, and federal codes, standards, laws and regulations as it pertains to emergency management as well as hazardous material handling and storage preferred.
- Knowledge of Operations of a comprehensive emergency preparedness management program, preferably in a transit environment, Principles and practices of security-related oversight, compliance, and enforcement, Principles and practices of policy development, implementation and administration.
- Knowledge of current and emerging emergency preparedness technologies and products and best practices for their use on transit systems.
- Experience in operations in the Public Transportation Industry preferred.
- Must demonstrate the ability to pursue/perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Must be able to satisfy rigorous and demanding work schedules, which include non-traditional working hours, and short-term deadlines.
- Must have a strong understanding of union and management environment and demonstrated the ability to address health and safety matters directly to Union employees and leadership.
- Must have excellent verbal, and strong technical writing skills and interpersonal skills.
- PC experience with MS Office 365 Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint required.
- Must have completed required Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) courses (IS 100, 200, 700, and 800).
- Must work to complete ICS 300 and 400 courses within two years of appointment.
BENEFITS
SEPTA offers a comprehensive benefits and retirement program:
Medical – Minimal annual premium contribution
Benefit plans with No Employee annual premium contribution:
Prescription
Dental
Vision
Additional benefits we offer:
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Voluntary Governmental 457B Deferred Comp Plan, with available Financial Advice and Planning Services
Life Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
Tuition Reimbursement
SEPTA Transportation Pass – FREE travel on all SEPTA modes of transportation
SEPTA employees qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
Generous Vacation Allowance
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
SEPTA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Nearest Major Market: Philadelphia
Salary : $104,000 - $130,000
