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Emergency Preparedness Specialist

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Emergency Preparedness Specialist – Job Description

 

POSITION: Emergency Preparedness Specialist

 

SALARY: Full-time hourly position ($17-$20 per hour), benefits include: medical, dental/vision and life insurance, paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation after 6 months. (Non-exempt position)

                   

DEFINITION: Full-Time grant funded position (for 1 year, with possibility of extension) working for an Independent Living Center (ILC), whose mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to have choice and control of their lives.  The Emergency Preparedness Specialist is tasked with the responsibility of helping the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and the Executive Director with the general public and partnering organizations anticipate hazards and vulnerability and undertake measures to more effectively deal with disasters through a leadership model of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. This position also aids individuals with attaining items related to Assistive Technology to maintain or increase their independence.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

Full-Time grant funded position, position working for an Independent Living Center (ILC). Candidates applying for this position should expect to perform a full range of responsibilities of coordinating relief efforts. This position requires having the ability to communicate in an effective, polite, and professional manner with various people including persons with disabilities, while maintaining good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 

This position works under general supervision, working alone on routine or regular work assignments and reporting to the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. 

 

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

Emergency Preparedness Support

  • Assist with maintaining DDAR in-office functions, including intake & assessments, emergency supplies, personal protective equipment, emergency communication devices, emergency assistive technology, emergency preparedness flyers, back up battery charging stations, solar panels, and other back up power solutions.
  • Processing, scanning and filing paper/digital DDAR documents. 
  • Entering required items and services into CILSuite Databases and Excel sheets. 
  • Travel to and deliver equipment when necessary (pre-event battery distribution and active event battery distribution).
  • Train consumers on the use of emergency preparedness assistive technology.
  • Assist the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Executive Director with proofing, editing, developing materials, and reviewing reports including analyzing maps or other various related documents.  
  • Assist the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator with maintaining emergency preparedness assistive technology equipment, inventory labeling, serial number tracking, and inventory database management.
  • Collaborate with local County Offices of Emergency Services and Public Health teams and other government agencies as appropriate within DRAIL’s catchment in the creation, development, education, training, implementation of PSPS plans and disaster, including pandemic, and plans in the event of a wildfire or other emergency disaster deemed by the State office of Emergency Services.
  • Work with local government agencies to conduct periodic assessments to determine the Access and Functional Needs (AFN) community’s risk for wildfires, natural disasters, and public safety power shut offs.
  • Maintain DRAIL’s PSPS, wildfire, disaster including pandemic and emergency services plans and work to activate the plans and implement services in coordination with DRAIL management staff as appropriate.
  • Know each county’s alert and notification systems and procedures.
  • Participate in training and exercises to practice/ test emergency plans with community partners or statewide exercises.
  • Participate in each county’s emergency preparedness committees for AFN planning, coordinating, maintaining, and updating disaster plans, including internal and external event response.
  • Coordinate the use and routine testing of all disaster and PSPS related equipment.
  • Provide warnings and emergency data to the organization, and as directed to the public, operations and technical support to leadership before, during, and after emergencies that affect it.
  • Identify and maintain contact information for community response partners and identify how DRAIL’s clients and the AFN community will be notified of an emergency/ crisis situation.
  • Administer DRAIL’s Public Safety Power Shut Off (PSPS) response, includes back-up battery loan program by screening, administering distribution of batteries, tracking battery loans and maintaining devices.
  • Perform assigned incident command role during drills, exercises, and real-world emergencies.
  • Advocate for the needs of people with disabilities in state and national emergency preparedness policy.
  • Develop and prepare reports that fulfill grant contract requirements as outlined by the specific funding stream.
  • Carry out all other duties as assigned.

 

Assistive Technology Service provision duties

  • Responsible for coordination and delivery of the six “core" services
  • Travel within our six counties and work at our satellite offices as needed.
  • Information and Referral to appropriate community-based organizations as needed Answer phones and provide assistance to consumers, caregivers, and the general public.
  • Work with the disability community within San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Mother Lode communities in developing local resources.
  • Coordinate, network, and maintain working relationships with various agencies, and Independent Living Centers to facilitate coordination of independent living options, programs, services, and accessibility for persons with disabilities. 
  • Advocate with agencies, business, and government bodies to assist persons with disabilities to live as independently as they choose.
  • Advocate for and with consumers that need AT through Medi-Cal, Medicare. 
  • Gather and organize information on a wide range of AT topics; maintain information in ready-reference format.
  • Resolve inquiries of a general nature and make referrals to community resources and agencies when appropriate.
  • Network with other professionals in the field of AT throughout the state.
  • Educate consumers regarding AT Network.
  • Promotes the use of Assistive Technology within under-served and under-represented consumer populations.
  • Advances the importance of AT in helping people with disabilities to live independently, with a specific emphasis on physical disabilities, durable medical equipment (DME), and other mobility-related devices.
  • Implements strategies to increase the use of AT in the business sector.
  • Identifies potential funders for acquisition of AT.
  • Updates and posts new resources for the AT Directory
  • Provides AT-related information and referral assistance.
  • Engages with other AT Coordinators in an effort to strengthen and expand acquisition and use of AT.
  • Conducts training on AT equipment, devices, accessibility software, and supportive systems, as well as formal assessments to identify AT-related consumer needs.
  • Works directly with consumers to achieve their AT goals through coordination of services.
  • Maintain accurate records of services provided in the community center such as class registrations, center check ins, and documenting CILSuite and consumer participation. 
  • Attend trainings or certificate programs related to position.
  • Submit individual quarterly reports.
  • Network with other professionals in the field of AT or IL Services throughout the state.
  • Carry out all other duties as assigned.

 

Knowledge of:

  • Community based nonprofits.
  • Independent Living Philosophy concepts.
  • Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point
  • Communications skills, used in one-on-one settings and in large group meetings.
  • Problem solving skills and thinking both strategically and tactically about organization needs.

 

Ability to:

  • Ability to establish and maintain friendly and professional working relationships with consumers and their family members, the general public and agency personnel in both group and individual settings.
  • Organize and prioritize work activities.
  • Read and understand rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with politeness and professionalism with staff and the community at large.
  • Use good judgment, discretion, and maintain confidentiality.
  • Set the tone for an organizational culture that combines respectful collaboration with disciplined productivity within a business-like and process-sensitive environment.
  • Ability to take initiative and ability to work away from the office with integrity with limited supervision.
  • Ability to work well under pressure.
  • Aptitude for working with various mechanical devices and equipment.
  • Ability to demonstrate skills and experience in:
    • Promoting an understanding of disability related concerns to diverse audiences.
    • Communication with persons of diverse backgrounds and professional communication styles.
    • Informal instruction, coaching and tutoring skills.
    • Statistical data collection and reporting.
    • General office procedures and office equipment.
    • Organization, time management and prioritization skills.

 

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Standard office environment, working with and around people with varying degrees and types of disabilities.
  • Various working hours based on project or event.
  • Various working locations including travel with field work during disaster events.

 

Physical Standards:

 

  • Mobility: ability to sit for long periods, moves about an office, stand occasionally, and reach above and below desk level.
  • Dexterity: fine manipulation sufficient to operate a computer keyboard, handle individual papers, write, and take notes.
  • Lifting: frequent lifting of papers, files, equipment, and material weighing up to approximately 50 lbs., but not limited to.
  • Visual Requirements: close vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up work; ability to adjust focus frequently.
  • Hearing/Talking: ability to communicate with people with disabilities.
  • Interpersonal Skills: ability to make decisions and concentrate; frequent contact with others including public contact; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., but not limited to.

Education and Experience:

 

  • High School graduate or GED. 
  • Experience and knowledge in communicating with people with disabilities is preferred.
  • Prior experience in program coordination is preferred.
  • Analytical skills necessary in order to evaluate and make recommendations regarding emergency service provisions.
  • Self-motivated with good verbal, written, and organizational skills.
  • Strong oral and written communications skills, used in one-on-one settings and in large group meetings.
  • Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point
  • Grant writing experience.

 

Additional Skills Desirable but Not Required:

 

  • Spanish Speaking and Writing
  • American Sign Language (ASL).
  • Grant Writing.

 

DRAIL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

 

To request an alternative format of this document, or further information concerning the position, please e-mail info@drail.org