Climate Health Emergency Planning Coordinator - City of Philadelphia

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What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) works to mitigate, plan, and prepare for emergencies; educate the public about preparedness; coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts; and develop tools and resources to support the overall preparedness of the City of Philadelphia.

OEM is seeking a Climate Health Emergency Planning Coordinator to plan, mitigate, and operationalize strategies to address the risks of extreme heat on the human population. This position will also be responsible for developing and coordinating a City-wide network of heat relief centers during City-declared Heat Health Emergencies.

Candidates should possess a strong desire to work in a team-oriented, fast paced, flexible, professional public- safety environment, and a willingness to serve the public in the sixth largest city in the nation. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, inquisitive, and adept at working with diverse groups.

Essential Functions

Under the direction of the Health and Medical Program Manager, the Climate Health Emergency Planning Coordinator is responsible for a range of activities including, but not limited to, the tasks below:

1. Convene City partners to plan for and mitigate the impacts of severe heat on vulnerable populations.
   • Conduct the annual review and update of the city’s Excessive Heat Emergency Response Plan in coordination with City partners.
   • Develop and update data-driven, equitable, and accessible resource and service deployment strategies for Heat Health Emergency responses.
   • Collaborate with City departments to develop a long-term heat mitigation plan for residents most vulnerable to extreme heat events.
   • Research and identify best practices for seasonal Heat Health Emergency responses and adapt those practices for Philadelphia.
   • Develop and manage a community engagement strategy that integrates community partners with City planning efforts; the strategy should address, at minimum, how to create effective forums for information sharing and community education; set community-informed expectations for service delivery; and facilitate opportunities for community partners to

formally participate in the City’s heat health response.

• • Research and identify funding opportunities to support the expansion and improvement of the

City’s Heat Health response operations (e.g., cooling centers network).

1. Develop and manage a City-wide network of cooling centers and resources.
   • Recruit, verify and confirm suitable city and quasi-governmental cooling center sites (such as libraries, recreation centers, older adult facilities, and Philadelphia Housing Authority facilities).
   • Facilitate and manage City agreements with community sites that will activate cooling resources and manage the relationships with their community partners.
   • Support the development of the City’s annual cooling resource map.
2. Coordinate Heat Emergency operations.
   • In preparation for Heat Health Emergency activations, convene partners to review activation plans and strategies; post-emergency events, conduct after-action reviews of activations.
   • Recruit a surge contingency city employee workforce to be activated during Heat Health Emergencies for redeployment to activated cooling resources as needed.
   • Arrange for the administrative rules and waivers to activate employees during Heat Health Emergencies.
   • Assign and coordinate staff to activated facilities during Heat Health Emergencies.
   • Provide day-of coordination and support to deployed staff during Heat Health Emergencies.
3. Manage documentation necessary to operate a Heat Health Emergency response.
   • Ensure contracts are prepared as required (e.g., cooling buses, cooling tents, security contracts, temporary staffing contracts, etc.).
   • Ensure informational materials, signage, and personal protective equipment are stocked and deployed for Heat Health Emergencies.
   • Maintain written policy, guidance, and training for agencies and staff supporting various cooling resources.
4. Communication
   • Collaborate with the appropriate communications staff to coordinate external and internal messaging regarding Heat Health Emergencies and the seasonal strategy; respond to media inquiries as requested.
   • Track and synthesize relevant data on Heat Health Emergency responses for reporting and planning purposes.
   • Develop communications resources and educational materials for resident populations most vulnerable to heat health emergencies.
   • Attend events and provide workshops in advance of the heat season.

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills
• Professional conduct and accountability
• Proven time-management skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to establish a “need to know” with partners as appropriate

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage workloads effectively.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and develop partnerships.
• Ability to coordinate diverse groups toward a common goal.
• Ability to complete tasks and projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to contribute and coordinate work in a team.
• Ability to interpret federal and state emergency management requirements and regulations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook) required, and ability to use other web and software-based platforms for analysis, and information collection and submission preferred.

Education and Experience

−     Completion of a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college.

−     At least three years of professional experience preferred.

−     Experience working in an emergency management or health and human services agency preferred.

−     Familiarity with the City of Philadelphia is preferred.

−     Experience coordinating large groups in collaborative, long-term, and recurring efforts is preferred.

−     An equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field will be considered with approval by OEM and the Office of Human Resources.

Licenses, Registrations, and Certification

      −     Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania within six months of hire.

−     Successful completion of FEMA Independent Study courses (IS 100.a, 200.a, 700.a, and 800.b) within first month of appointment.

−     Candidates will have access to secure public safety information. All selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation as a condition of placement in this position.

Other requirements

OEM personnel are required to serve periodically in an on-call capacity which may require the following conditions of work: work outside of typical business hours or for extended periods of time; work during states of emergency; work in a field environment, in a 24/7 watch center, or during activations of Philadelphia’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Example on-call work environments include, but are not limited to, scenes with the following conditions: materials that are on fire; utilities that are compromised; compromised structures; scenes near hazardous materials storage that may be compromised; scenes in congregate living settings, or in or near crowds; scenes near downed vegetation or other debris; or scenes near flooding and water-damaged materials. All work is performed while donning a level of personal protective equipment that 1) is recommended by the incident safety officer and 2) for which OEM personnel have received training. Example on-call response tasks include, but are not limited to, the following: working at a computer or with a portable tablet; observing and documenting conditions remotely or in the field; staffing an incident command post; communicating with responders or survivors; operating vehicles up to your licensed class; staffing facilities for survivors; transporting materials; being near a site where a serious injury or loss of life has occurred; sitting, standing, walking, climbing, crawling, or lifting or carrying materials.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (showing your ability to write a policy or report-style document).

Salary Range: $68,761

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx