OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Director of Emergency Management works in strategic partnership with all SEPTA departments, providing leadership and direction for the Authority’s emergency management strategy, programs, and personnel. This position has primary responsibility for managing and improving the Authority’s emergency preparedness, coordination, mitigation, and recovery efforts, while ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local standards. 

The Director leads the development and continuous improvement of emergency plans, continuity of operations strategies, and training and exercise programs. The role emphasizes data-driven decision-making, collaborative engagement, and robust planning, reinforcing a culture of safety throughout the Authority. 

The primary focus of this role is on strategic planning for preparedness, mitigation, and recovery planning efforts, rather than leading incident response during active emergencies. The incumbent exercises discretion and independent judgment in meeting overall objectives and establishing broad strategies and plans for emergency management.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leads, manages, and directs the Authority’s emergency preparedness and management functions, and the programs, policies, plans and initiatives that emergency management personnel are responsible for delivering. Directs the development, implementation, training, and periodic review and revision of SEPTA’s Emergency Management Operations Plan.
2. Ensures plans align with federal, state, and local regulations, including DHS, FEMA, FRA, FTA, SSOA and state-specific emergency management standards.
3. Oversees the development, acquisition, and maintenance of emergency response equipment and resources, ensuring readiness for deployment in emergencies.
4. Coordinates with Fire Life Safety personnel in the development and implementation of fire/life safety policies, procedures, inspections, and evacuation plans.
5. Coordinates with Fire Life Safety and Location Management personnel to develop and continuously improve Building Emergency Management procedures, procedures, and training.
6. Leads the development of Continuity of Operations Plans to ensure service can be maintained and restored during and after emergencies.
7. Collaborates with SEPTA communications personnel to develop crisis communications materials as needed and to disseminate public information during emergencies, including service disruptions and information updates.
8. Develops materials to educate passengers and the public about emergency procedures and preparedness.
9. Recruits, trains, directs, and manages emergency management personnel.
10. Responsible for effective coordination between all departments in preparation for and during emergencies/crises.
11. Develops and implements strategic initiatives addressing long-term emergency preparedness needs to support SEPTA’s readiness to respond to emergencies in coordination with multiple agencies across the region.
12. Plans, develops, and implements training, testing and exercise programs to educate and prepare personnel and frontline responders to emergency incidents including SEPTA executives, managers, and employees along with jurisdictional response agencies.
13. Responsible for development and maintenance of Multi-Year, multi-mode, Test, Training, and Exercise Plan (TTEP) to include drills, tabletop exercises, functional exercises, and full-scale functional exercises.
14. Conducts tabletop and full-scale exercises utilizing the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
15. Collects, organizes, analyzes, and reports on SEPTA’s ability to respond to emergencies and crises safely and efficiently. This may include identifying metrics, utilizing reporting systems and feedback loops, and providing training and coaching on how to conduct after action reviews.
16. Conducts and maintains After Action Reviews (AARs) for, at minimum, significant events or near misses and all TTX and functional exercises.
17. Establishes, builds, and maintains relationships with governmental and community officials and organizations on hazard mitigation planning, Test, Training & Exercise (TTE) development and participation, and emergency management coordination efforts at the direction of the Operations Control Center (OCC).
18. Represents SEPTA on a wide range of internal and external emergency management activities, committees, task forces, teams, and meetings.
19. Partners with Operations, Planning, Capital Projects, and other SEPTA programs to engage in hazard mitigation and recovery planning efforts.
20. Duties may be required as needed on a 24/7 basis. Working hours and days may vary depending on work activities.
21. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• B. S. degree in Emergency Management, Safety Management, Operations Management, Transportation, or related field, or a combination of degree and experience as required.
• Ten (10) years’ experience in Emergency Management, Disaster Preparedness, Public Health Preparedness, Hazard Mitigation Planning, and/or related fields.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education (i.e., two (2) years of related experience, equating to one (1) year of formal post-high school education) may be considered in lieu of the above requirements. Post-Baccalaureate Degree (Masters, Ph.D., etc.) will provide up to four (4) years of related experience to the applicant.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage multiple projects and programs concurrently.
• Must have excellent verbal skills and strong technical writing skills. [Samples of previously written planning documents must be provided at Interview]
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, is required.
• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) is preferred.
• Completion of ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 preferred.
• Familiarity with and previous application of Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) structured exercise and After Action/Improvement Planning preferred.
• Familiarity with transit-specific emergency scenarios preferred, including derailments and transportation accidents.
• Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation Safety Certification Program Certification (PTSCTP) or USDOT Transportation Institute Transit (TSI) Safety and Security Program (TSSP- Rail and/or TSSP-Bus) certificate preferred.
• USDOT Transportation Institute Transit (TSI) Safety and Security Program (TSSP- Rail and/or TSSP-Bus) certificate preferred