OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Emergency Preparedness Specialist is responsible for supporting the Director of Emergency Management in the design, development, and execution of emergency preparedness initiatives. The incumbent develops, maintains, and enhances emergency plans, policies, and procedures to strengthen organizational readiness and resilience. The incumbent also supports the education and training of SEPTA employees, contractors, and jurisdictional emergency response agencies on how to respond safely during emergencies involving SEPTA assets. Additionally, the incumbent will support SEPTA preparedness training and exercises in conjunction with the System Safety Division. The incumbent works well under pressure, is highly organized, and is an effective communicator. The specialist has extensive technical knowledge and applied experience in emergency management in complex operational environments, preferably in regional transit systems. The incumbent must communicate effectively with all levels of SEPTA staff and jurisdictional emergency response agencies.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leads development and maintenance of SEPTA's Emergency Management Operations Plan (EMOP) and other emergency management plans, policies, and procedures to ensure SEPTA's readiness for a wide range of emergency scenarios, including natural disasters, security incidents, and system failures. Coordinates with internal stakeholders, such as the System Safety, Engineering, Police, and other relevant departments, to align emergency plans with SEPTA's operational objectives and safety management system.
2. Use risk assessments and vulnerability analyses to identify and address potential emergency scenarios. Uses data-driven insights from audits and assessments to develop strategies that minimize risks and enhance readiness.
3. 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 coordination policies and practices.
4. Supports the Designs, development, conduct, and evaluation of discussion-based and operations-based exercises using the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP), to test emergency plans and SEPTA's response capabilities.
5. Develops after-action reports and updates Authority plans and procedures accordingly.
6. Represents SEPTA in regional emergency planning committees and task forces as directed.
7. Collaborates with partner agencies to develop mutual aid agreements, resource sharing, and communication protocols.
8. Participates in the development and implementation of public education campaigns on emergency preparedness, targeting riders and community stakeholders. Assists in the preparation of informational materials such as brochures, posters, and digital content to raise awareness about SEPTA emergency procedures.
9. Supports SEPTA's emergency response efforts during emergencies, working with Incident Commanders and Emergency Operations Centers. Assists in post-incident recovery efforts, including damage assessments, service restoration, and after-action reporting, following the procedures in SEPTA's emergency response plans.
10. Prepares reports for SEPTA leadership and external regulatory agencies as directed.
11. Conducts regular reviews and assessments of emergency preparedness programs and identifies areas for improvement. Recommends enhancements to SEPTA's emergency management programs to improve response effectiveness.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree required; five (5) years' experience in Emergency Management.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education (one year of formal education equating to two years of work experience) may be considered in lieu of the above requirements.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Experience in operations in the Public Transportation Industry preferred.
• Associate or Certified Emergency Manager, preferred.
• Working knowledge of the DHS Homeland Security Emergency and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), preferred.
• Must demonstrate the ability to pursue/perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must have excellent verbal and strong technical writing skills.
• Required PC experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.