Municipal Emergency Planning Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The Emergency Management Planning Specialist is responsible for supporting emergency planning activities to ensure municipal compliance with Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) requirements, including PA Act 147 Radiological Emergency Response and associated planning directives.

This position develops, maintains, and evaluates comprehensive emergency operations plans, continuity plans, hazard mitigation strategies, and radiological emergency preparedness (REP) functions.

The role includes coordinating planning processes, exercises, and stakeholder engagement to enhance the municipality’s preparedness for all-hazards incidents, including those involving fixed nuclear facilities such as Peach Bottom and Crane Clean Energy Centers.

Their workload is distributed as follows:

50% - The Municipal Planning Specialist is responsible for the updates and local promotion of the Lancaster County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), as well as all applicable plan annexes with a focus on HAZMAT and Radiological Emergency Response. The MEPS will provide key input to the County and regional Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) as well as the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) processes.

40% - Liaison to local municipalities within Lancaster County including, providing direct planning support, hazard and vulnerability analysis recommendations, and recommend risk mitigation strategies to support local radiological and HAZMAT emergency planning activities.

10% - This position serves as a HAZMAT and Radiological Emergency Response duty officer.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Municipal Emergency Planning Specialist (MEPS) reports to the Emergency Management Operations Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Develop, update, and maintain the municipal Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) in accordance with PEMA Directive 2018-01 and PEMA Standard Operating Guidance.

Ensure compliance with PA Act 147 of 1978, including annual certification of the municipal EOP and participation in county and state-level coordination efforts.

Develop and implement Radiological Emergency Response Plans, as required by PEMA REP program guidelines for municipalities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) of a nuclear power plant.

Coordinate planning efforts with the county emergency management agency, regional task forces, PEMA Area Office, and other municipal departments.

Integrate hazard identification and risk assessment data from the County Hazard Mitigation Plan into local plans and strategies.

Participate in the annual REP exercise cycle (including out-of-sequence drills, graded evaluations, and ingestion pathway planning, as applicable) in compliance with FEMA REP Program Manual.

Develop and maintain off-site emergency response plans in accordance with federal SARA Title III and PA ACT 165.

Coordinate activities of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

Administer and invoicing for chemical and reporting fee assessments in accordance with Lancaster County Ordinance 27.

Write, manage, and report on grants to support the hazardous materials safety program.

Complete reports and assessment documents in accordance with applicable PEMA directives pertaining to PA Act 165 (HAZMAT), and PA Act 147 (RERP).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

Develop and maintain Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) plans for municipal departments.

Facilitate public education and outreach activities, including emergency preparedness campaigns and distribution of REP-specific information such as potassium iodide (KI) availability.

Serve as planning lead during municipal activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC); maintain situational plans, checklists, and emergency support function annexes.

Support the Training and Exercise Coordinator in conducting Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)-compliant drills and exercises for internal staff and external stakeholders.

Assist in grant writing, reporting, and documentation related to EMPG, HSGP, RERF, and REP planning grants.

Ensure planning integration with special populations, access and functional needs (AFN) communities, and vulnerable residents.

Develop literature for business and industry in understanding and complying with local, state and federal laws pertaining to hazardous material reporting and planning.

Review emergency action plans and spill plans submitted by local business and industry.

Ensure accuracy and maintain organized filing for reference.

Maintain current resources in hazardous materials and radiological emergency response and recovery.

Attend public safety meetings pertaining to hazardous materials and radiological emergency mitigation, response and recovery.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Required: Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, homeland security, public safety, public administration, environmental/public health, or a related field.

Preferred: Master’s degree and/or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Associate Emergency Manager (AEM)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Demonstrated knowledge of PEMA planning requirements, PA Act 165, PA Act 147, and FEMA REP Program guidelines.

Familiarity with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Emergency Management Services Code, Title 35.

Proficient in writing and implementing NIMS/ICS-compliant emergency plans.

Strong facilitation skills for conducting planning meetings and exercises.

Ability to analyze risks and threats to municipal operations and services.

Familiarity with hazard mitigation, continuity planning, and intergovernmental coordination.

Excellent writing, documentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

Experience with Microsoft Office, WebEOC, GIS (preferred), and emergency planning software.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

Valid Driver’s License with clean driving record for the last 5 years.

Successful completion of criminal background and credit checks

Must obtain training certificates in IS-100, IS-200, IS-700x and IS-800x within the first six months of employment.

Must complete PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) County Associate Certification within two (2) years and County Professional Certification within four (4) years of employment (PEMA Directive 2022-02).

Must obtain certification as PEMA Radiological Officer within two (2) years.

Must obtain certification at the HAZMAT Technician Level within two (2) years.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

Will serve as on-call Emergency Management duty officer, and HAZMAT duty officer as part of a scheduled rotation.

Ability to lift 40 pounds

Ability to work 12+ hour shifts

Availability to work weekends and holidays

Person may participate in field operations and be capable of walking extended distances in less-than-ideal conditions (i.e.: floods, mud, windstorm aftermath, snow, damage assessment)

This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B. Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B is provided.