What are the responsibilities and job description for the Preparedness Specialist position at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority?
On-Site Work Statement:
This is an on-site/in-person work opportunity.
Marketing Statement:
Metro is seeking an experienced and motivated candidate for the Preparedness Specialist position. The candidate will assist their director in the emergency preparedness of our workforce across diverse work environments. At Metro, we value professionals skilled at drafting emergency preparedness plans, training others on emergency protocols and supporting responses to safety events effectively. Our ideal candidates thrives in using their knowledge and experience to optimize business results and customer experience. If you're passionate about inspiring preparedness and fostering resilience, Metro is the place for you to contribute your expertise and make a lasting impact on workplace preparedness. Join us in shaping a safer, healthier future at Metro!
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Fire Science, or other related fields.
-
In lieu of a bachelor's degree, a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) and four (4) additional years of experience working in an operationally complex environment, coordinating
response and recovery activities in a manner that drives performance and results in addition to the experience requirement referenced below
Minimum Experience
- Four (4) years of experience in, safety event command, emergency response, or recovery in an operationally complex environment, in a manner that drives performance and results.
Minimum Certification/Licensure
- Valid Driver's License
Preferred Qualifications
-
Experience in multiple settings and organizations leading critical safety events in a command - and - control
environment -
Experience or certification as an instructor delivering emergency preparedness training related to
safety event management, emergency management, safety, or another related field - Completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency independent training courses
- Certification in fire inspection or investigation (e.g. NFPA)
- Certification in the field of Emergency Management
-
Certification as an instructor through a, emergency response, or emergency management-related
entity -
Knowledge of transit operations and relevant emergency management principles, risks, and
strategies in a transit or transportation operating environment -
Master's degree in Emergency Management, Operations, Business, Public Administration or other
related fields
Medical Group
Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.
Mission Essential Designation
In accordance with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority/s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) this job has been identified as critical to mission essential functions. Incumbents in this role may be required to report to or continue to work in the event of authorized office closings or service suspensions due to severe weather, natural disaster, fire, operational emergencies or related events.
SUMMARY
The Office of Emergency Preparedness mission is a 24/7/365 commitment to planning, preparing, and coordinating emergency response activities for planned and unplanned safety events. The office is part of the Department of Safety and Readiness's Safety Management function, which performs a range of safety functions across all areas of the Authority, including rail, bus, and paratransit, supporting the implementation of the Authority's Safety Management System.
The Preparedness Specialist is trained and qualified to research, analyze, and evaluate potential risks and hazards to develop and implement emergency response plans, policies, and procedures. The incumbent also educates and trains Metro employees, Metro contractors, and jurisdictional emergency response agencies on how to respond safely during emergencies involving the Authority's assets. The incumbent works well under pressure as a highly organized effective communicator. The Specialist has extensive technical knowledge and applied experience in safety events in complex operational environments, preferably in regional transit systems. The incumbent personifies emotional intelligence to effectively communicate with all levels of staff from both Metro and jurisdictional emergency response agencies during emergencies.
Job Duties
Principal Job Duties
- Leads and supports instruction of frontline, management, and executive personnel, as well as personnel from jurisdictional response agencies and other partners in emergency management and safety event command and coordination policies and practices. Maintains own knowledge, skills and certifications in order to effectively and professionally perform these instructor duties.
- Leads and supports the development and revision of general safety or response-related instructional materials and curriculum for internal and external stakeholders utilizing extensive written and oral communication skills.
- Supports on-scene representatives of emergency safety events including coordinating between all parties to ensure Incident Command is established; provides strategic, operational and tactical advice to improve decision-making; keeps critical stakeholders informed of developments; functions as a subject matter expert in transit related emergencies; fulfils other key Department of Safety pre-defined duties in relation to safety event response and the initial stages of investigation.
- Supports acquisition, distribution, maintenance and testing of fire/life/safety equipment; supporting exercises; completing inspections and audits; reviewing safety events; and feeding data into the Safety Management System.
- Ensures all safety events are managed in a safe manner governed by relevant policies and procedures to inform operational decisions are made in a safe and timely manner. Exercises authority of Safety Oversight to stop work or modify safety event operations at a specific location, job site, or contract if conditions are unsafe and pose an imminent danger to employees. Partners with impacted personnel and stakeholders to identify and communicate the hazards and assist with the development and mitigations to allow for operations to continue.
- Ensures effective communication between internal and external emergency personnel and other stakeholders. Coordinates the response of various Safety Department resources. Fulfils key pre-defined Safety duties in relation to safety event response, investigation, and administration including providing situational awareness of and making appropriate notifications in support of safety events operations.
- Plays a critical role in programs and projects to ensure continuous improvement of Safety Management of emergency preparedness functions to attain the Authority's goals for a comprehensive emergency preparedness and crisis management strategy.
- Incumbent must be willing to work any shift (i.e., days, evenings, or overnights) based on the needs of the Authority and must be able to serve in a rotating 24/7/365 on-call capacity. Must also be able to support surge safety event activities and planned events (including training and exercise activities) at all hours and during non-business hours.
Other Duties
- Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.
The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.
Evaluation Criteria
Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.
Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:
- Skills and/or behavioral assessment
- Personal interview
- Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
- Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
- Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
- Review of a current motor vehicle report
Closing
WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.
This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview
