Introduction

Help lead New Haven's efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. This role combines strategic planning, grant management, interagency coordination, and operational support to strengthen the City's resilience and ensure continuity of government during emergencies.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is a highly responsible management position reporting to the Director of Emergency Management and having responsibility for the City's emergency preparedness planning, response, and recovery efforts, including continuity of operations.

Work involves extensive contact with city departments, community groups, and other local, state and federal entities. Responsible for grant writing, grant management, reporting and coordination of public safety initiatives undertaken by the City. Represents the City at legislative hearings, planning conferences, and other public forums on public safety and emergency preparedness. Coordinates and supports management of the Emergency Operations Center when activated to ensure the continuity of 24/7 operations.

This role requires flexibility of schedule, as this position will require work to be performed outside of the traditional 9-5 schedule for emergencies or in support of the overall operations of the Department. Additionally, the position will have shared 24/7 on-call responsibilities.

Work is performed under broad supervision requiring a high level of independent judgement and action. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports and results obtained. This role reports to the Director of Emergency Management and supervises interns as assigned. During emergency activations, may supervise additional staff in accordance with the corresponding incident management structure.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Has primary responsibility for public safety grant applications and for administration and implementation including: identification of funding sources; budget preparation & budget revisions; project management and evaluation; preparation of reports and submittal of documents to obtain required grant approvals. Will be required to manage grant reporting and will work with staff of the Office of Policy, Management, and Grants for tracking and audits.
• Prepares and monitors the Emergency Management portion of the Chief Administrator's Office budget and understands grant processes and funding sources within the city.
• Maintains master public safety grant file and update status when needed.
• Conducts research, keeping abreast of the latest developments within the public safety/emergency management field.
• Provides information and policy recommendations directly to Director of Emergency Management.
• Undertakes strategic planning, prepares reports and advises on feasibility, cost effectiveness and priority.
• Works with committees and departments to formulate strategic plans and determine guidelines for project implementation while keeping within defined budget constraints.
• Reviews and evaluates various studies, budgets and personnel requirements necessary for completion of projects.
• Conducts field investigations, demographic studies, economic or public opinion surveys when needed for required data compilation. Organizes and analyzes data from all sources, using statistical methods to ensure validity.
• Conducts risk assessments, locally and regionally, required for validating the necessity of funding projects or requests for equipment. Identify gaps and vulnerabilities needed for justification funding.
• Evaluates the ongoing equipment needs of public safety departments. Implements plans for replacement of ageing, obsolete or inoperable equipment.
• Maintains collection of regulatory, federal, state, regional and industry-wide data for use as planning resources.
• Acts as liaison to other departments, community organizations, businesses, institutions, other municipalities, the State of Connecticut DESPP/DEMHS and federal homeland security departments.
• Develops efficient and expedient means of equipment procurement and inventory tracking. Assists departments in completing necessary record keeping and reporting.
• When directed, serves as the Director of Emergency Management in their absence.
• Serves as OEM Deputy Director/Operations in their absence during 24 hour operations.
• Maintains current knowledge of industry trends, technologies, and best practices and incorporates appropriate advancements into work activities.
• Performs related work as required.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited college or university with emphasis on public safety, emergency management, or a closely related field; and a minimum of 3 to 5 years experience in high level emergency management or public safety planning; Preference shall be given to municipal-specific experience. In lieu of a relevant college degree, an additional 4 years of directly related work experience may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations and grant procedures applicable to municipal homeland security and emergency management operations.
• Knowledge of federal directives (i.e. National Incident Management System - NIMS) and ability to ensure compliance for the City of New Haven.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, grant writing and emergency operations.
• Knowledge of administrative and operating functions of municipal government.
• Ability to develop and maintain plans for emergency operations and continuity of government.
• Considerable experience working with various levels of staff in multiple disciplines under a unified command structure.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and to independently appraise situations and make appropriate decisions.
• Ability to supervise a wide range of City employees and volunteers and establish and maintain effective relationships with officials, the business community and the public.
• Ability to analyze problems, recommend solutions, and implement recommendations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and orally with the public, employees, department heads, contractors, external partners, and other groups as necessary.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office for creating and maintaining documents, spreadsheets, reports, and presentations.
• Proficiency with GIS applications and relevant software, with the ability to learn new related technologies.
• Proficiency in using email clients, calendar applications (e.g., Outlook, Gmail), and collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Zoom) and for scheduling, managing correspondence, and facilitating meetings.
• Demonstrated project management skills, organizational capabilities, and the ability to work well under pressure while handling multiple tasks and/or projects simultaneously.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, other City officials, consultants, the general public, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to represent the City in a professional and effective manner in public forums and interagency settings.
• Must demonstrate high ethical standards, maintaining confidentiality and upholding professional integrity in all interactions.
• Ability to identify and apply new methods, technologies, and best practices to improve work processes and outcomes.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid Connecticut driver's license.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain any security clearances, background investigations, and operational authorizations required to participate in, coordinate, and support assigned operations. (such as NIBRS)
• Flexibility of schedule, as this position will require work to be performed outside of the traditional 9-5 schedule for emergencies or in support of the overall operations of the Department. The position will have shared 24/7 on call responsibilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements

Amount of Time

Working Environment

Amount of Time

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Stand

X

Wet / humid conditions (non-weather)

X

Walk

X

Work near moving mechanical parts

X

Sit

X

Work in high, precarious places

X

Touch, handle, or feel

X

Fumes / airborne particles

X

Reach with hands & arms

X

Toxic / caustic chemicals

X

Climb or balance

X

Outdoor weather conditions

X

Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

X

Extreme cold (non-weather)

X

Talk or hear

X

Risk of electrical shock

X

Taste or smell

X

Work with explosives

X

Risk of radiation

X

Lifting or force to be exerted?

Vibration

X

How much and

how often?

Amount of Time

Utilizes computer workstation & office equipment

X

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Customer / employee interaction (face-to-face)

X

Up to 10 pounds

X

Field work

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 75 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

More than 100 pounds

X

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a "General Fund," tested position.

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 3144, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Bargaining agreements available to review HERE.

General Funded hires into this class shall not be covered by Social Security but rather the City pension, contributing 10% of salary.

The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.