OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Emergency Preparedness Specialist - Continuity of Operations Planner is responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and improving SEPTA's Continuity of Operations Program to ensure the continuity and recovery of essential functions during emergencies, disruptions, and other incidents that impact normal operations. The incumbent coordinates continuity planning activities across the Authority and works with departments to identify mission essential functions, critical dependencies, alternate operating strategies, and recovery requirements. 
The Continuity of Operations Planner develops and maintains continuity plans, conducts business impact analyses and risk assessments, facilitates continuity training and exercises, and supports operational recovery efforts during incidents. The incumbent ensures continuity planning efforts align with federal, state, and local requirements and industry best practices for organizational resilience and continuity planning. The position requires strong analytical, planning, project management, and communication skills, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with departments across SEPT A and external partners. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leads the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of SEPTA's Continuity of Operations Program and associated continuity plans.
2. Coordinates Business Impact Analyses, risk assessments, continuity assessments, and mission essential function analyses to identify continuity requirements and recovery priorities.
3. Assists departments in identifying mission essential functions, key personnel, critical systems, vital records, and alternate operating facilities required to sustain operations during disruptions.
4. Supports continuity training, discussion-based, operations-based, and continuity validation activities utilizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency continuity guidance and Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program methodology.
5. Supports the development of corrective action plans, after-action reports, and improvement plans following exercises and incidents and tracks implementation progress.
6. Supports internal and external Emergency Operations Center activations and assists with continuity and recovery coordination during incidents affecting SEPTA operations.
7. Prepares reports, briefings, presentations, and metrics for executive leadership regarding continuity readiness, plan status, and organizational resilience initiatives.
8. Conducts periodic reviews, assessments, and audits of continuity plans to ensure plans remain current, effective, and aligned with operational changes and with regulatory requirements.
9. Represents SEPTA in regional emergency planning committees and task forces as directed.
10. Collaborates with partner agencies to ensure SEPT A's continuity of operations program is integrated into the regional emergency management system.
11. Participates in the development and implementation of education campaigns for SEPTA employees on emergency preparedness as it related to continuity of operations. Assists in the preparation of informational materials such as brochures, posters, and digital content to raise awareness about SEPTA continuity procedures.
12. 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.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree required; five (5) years' experience in Continuity of Operations.
• 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.
• 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.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Certified Business Continuity Professional or Associate Business Continuity Professional preferred.
• FEMA Professional Continuity Practitioner (Level I) or Master Continuity Practitioner (Level 1), preferred.
• Associate or Certified Emergency Manager, preferred.
• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining Continuity of Operations Plans, Business Continuity Plans, and recovery strategies in a transportation, public sector, critical infrastructure, or highly regulated environment, preferred.
• Experience conducting Business Impact Analyses, continuity risk assessments, and operational resilience assessments, preferred.
• Familiarity with ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management Systems and industry best practices related to organizational resilience and continuity planning, preferred.
• Knowledge of Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, and emergency preparedness requirements applicable to transportation agencies, preferred.
• Experience designing, developing, conducting, and evaluating discussion and operations ­based continuity exercises, preferred
• Working knowledge of the DHS Homeland Security Emergency and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), preferred.