Director Of Public Safety

The incumbent directs the administrative management of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and its seven divisions: Emergency Communications; Emergency Management; Emergency Medical Services; Police Programs; Fire Programs; Technology; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force (SEPARTF) staff, all of which provide communications, training, planning, disaster coordination and administrative support to police, fire, emergency medical and emergency management departments and agencies.

The incumbent develops and periodically updates mission statements for department and individual divisions.   Develops and coordinates department goals.  Oversees development, management and coordination of individual division goals with division deputy directors. Promotes department policies and projects with public safety agencies, elected officials and community leaders.

The incumbent is in contact with the Chief & Deputy Administrators, Commissioners, other Department Heads, Row Officers Judges, police, fire, EMS and EMA chiefs and agencies, local officials, contractors and suppliers, Federal and State agencies, Community leaders and County residents in the following ways:

• Interacts with elected and appointed officials at the local, county, state and federal level regarding homeland security, crisis management, emergency planning, grants budgeting, technology, etc.;

• Promotes the proper use of the 911 system to County residents and visitors.

• Provides overall leadership to first responders through meetings, committees, policy recommendations, training, planning, etc.;

• Provides information to the media utilizing press releases, social media, on air (radio and television) in preparation for incidents and during emergencies;

• Responds to major incidents and assists local jurisdictions in the resolution of those incidents;

• Represents the Commissioners on numerous boards and committees, such as the Schools Safety Committee, Local Emergency Planning Committee, 911 Advisory Committee, police, fire and EMS association committees, etc.;

• Coordinates and supports emergencies involving more than one municipality or as requested by a municipality;

• Prepares for and manages the planning, response to and recovery from major emergencies and disasters;

• Develops, through subordinates, plans for all hazard type emergencies, including severe weather, floods, nuclear plant, terrorism, civil unrest, utility disruption, violence, etc.;

• Serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Montgomery County;

• Serves on the Executive Board of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force and allocates Homeland Security grant funds as part of that position;

• Evaluates and adjusts the organizational structure of the department;

• Develops and supports specialized teams for crisis and consequence management;

• Prepares, through subordinates, training programs for police, fire, rescue, EMS and hazmat disciplines;

• Serves on the Public Safety Advisory Boards for various colleges and industries as requested;

• Prepares and delivers high level briefings to County Commissioners and other senior officials;

• Reviews and adjusts policies and procedures, researches best practices, etc.;

• Establishes professional relationships with other public safety, law enforcement, homeland security officials, hospital and school administrators, medical professionals, private sector executives to further the public safety mission;

• Administers the department's budget by participating in the development of divisional budgets, reviewing purchases and bids, and on-going monitoring of department resources, facilities, projects, operational and administrative practices;

• Promotes staff development through coaching, counseling, delegation and by example.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent job experience in a Public Safety discipline;

• *Master's degree preferred;

• *Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) preferred;

• *PEMA Emergency Management Professional Certification preferred. (Required after two years.);

• Knowledge of administrative management techniques and practices;

• Good communication abilities;

• Good public speaking abilities;

• Computer literacy;

• Knowledge of County, State and Federal policies, procedures, rules and regulations;

• Strong organizational, planning and coordination skills;

• Experience in public safety, crisis management, disaster management, security.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  This is an Essential Employee position.  Essential employees are obligated to report to work as scheduled or remain at work during emergencies.  Following is the Duty Statement for Essential Employees:

"Carries out essential job functions or assigned emergency duties which may involve assignments within the Emergency Operations Center, deployment to a field location to participate in emergency management activities, or other duties as required during periods of emergency.  If received, emergency assignments may be performed under adverse conditions and continue for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks."

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.