DISASTER PREPAREDNESS OFFICER

DESCRIPTION

THE COMMUNITY

Ideally located on the Pacific Ocean south of Los Angeles, adjacent to Orange County, the City of Long Beach, California (population 470,000) is frequently described as a series of strong, diverse interwoven smaller communities within a large city. Enjoying an ideal Southern California climate, Long Beach is home to an abundance of cultural and recreational options. The Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, and the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, plus a wide variety of other attractions (two historic ranchos, three marinas, and five golf courses), serve to draw 6.5 million visitors a year. The City is also home to California State University, Long Beach, and Long Beach City College. Cal State Long Beach is the second largest university in the state and was recently ranked the No. 3 best-value public college in the nation. Covering approximately 50 square miles, Long Beach is supported by a wide mix of industries with education, health and social services, manufacturing, retail trade, and professional services comprising the highest representation. Known for its livable and desirable neighborhoods, Long Beach was named by America’s Promise Alliance as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People two years in a row. While it offers all the amenities of a large metropolis, many say Long Beach offers the added benefit of having maintained a strong sense of community and cohesiveness despite its growth. A superb climate, quality schools, a vibrant downtown, and a wide variety of neighborhoods help make Long Beach one of the most livable communities in the country.

CITY GOVERNMENT
Long Beach, a charter city formed in 1897, is governed by nine City Council Members elected by district and a city-wide elected Mayor. Other elected officials include the City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Prosecutor. The elected officials are elected to staggered four-year terms. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Clerk. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient administration of all City departments, excluding those under the direction of a separately elected official, Board or Commission. Long Beach is one of only three cities in California with its own Health Department and one of the very few municipalities with its own Utilities Department (Water and Gas) and Energy Resources Departments.
The City is supported by a FY 2024 total budget of approximately $3.3 billion with a General Fund budget of $719 million. More than 6,000 full and part-time employees support municipal operations with the vast majority being represented by twelve employee associations. To learn more about the City of Long Beach, go to: www.longbeach.gov .

DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
The Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications has 91 employees, including the City’s 9-1-1 Dispatchers, with a budget of $14.4 million. The Disaster Preparedness Bureau is one of three bureaus in the Department, and consists of a Disaster Preparedness Officer, Disaster Preparedness Analyst, and Disaster Preparedness Intern. The Disaster Preparedness Officer is a member of the Department’s management team, reporting directly to the Director, and is responsible for the oversight of the bureau’s $1.2 million operating budget.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

THE POSITION
The City of Long Beach is seeking an exceptional candidate to serve as its next Disaster Preparedness Officer. The Disaster Preparedness Officer is an at-will management position reporting directly to the Director of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications. As part of the City’s continuum of public safety, this position is responsible for the efficient and effective management of emergency operations within the City of Long Beach. The position directly supervises a Disaster Preparedness Analyst and Intern. The Disaster Preparedness Officer generally works during normal business hours, but may be required to work nights, weekends, and extended hours, or be on call when necessary.

Specific duties include:

• Work to mitigate, plan for, respond to and recover from disasters or emergencies in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines
• Maintain citywide emergency plans, including the Emergency Operations Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Ensure the readiness of the City’s Emergency Operations Center
• Coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts across City departments and outside agencies in accordance with the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Provide oversight for Homeland Security Grant funded projects, training and equipment procurement
• Educate and train City employees, community partner organizations and the public on disaster preparedness
• Serve as Disaster Management Area Coordinator (DMAC) for the Los Angeles County Area F group
• Develop tools and identify resources to support the overall preparedness of the residents and staff of the City of Long Beach

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a mission-driven leader who demonstrates excellent proficiencies in organizational and administrative skills, written and verbal communication, project management, budget oversight and grant-funded program administration. As an experienced leader, the preferred candidate will be a strong manager who trains and leads by example. The candidate should be knowledgeable of the roles and purpose of federal, state and local agencies involved in emergency management planning and response, and possess experience in writing and maintaining plans for multi-hazard and disaster response. The candidate should be capable of coordinating, updating and maintaining the functions of an Emergency Operations Center; responding to a potential or existing disaster within the ICS structure; and, utilizing systems related to emergency planning and communications, crisis management tools, mass notification systems, emergency alert systems and auxiliary communications services. The candidate should have prepared and presented emergency preparedness and response trainings and presentations to a wide variety of audiences, including public safety personnel, disaster service workers, volunteers, community members and local officials.

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

The Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications invites candidates to apply who meet the following minimum requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a field closely related to Emergency Management.
• Three (3) years of full-time paid experience in emergency management. One (1) year of which served as experience in a supervisory or lead capacity.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Proof of education is required at the time of application submittal.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year of experience in emergency operations programs for a government agency or large company developing and implementing an emergency plan for large-scale disasters is preferred.
• Completion of the Federal Incident Command System (ICS) emergency management coursework is preferred.

The professional attributes that best describe the new Disaster Preparedness Officer:

• Highly organized professional
• Participative and inclusive management style
• Accountable, takes ownership
• Leader, positive example to others
• Results-oriented
• Direct communicator with superior interpersonal skills
• Ethical with a high level of integrity
• Embrace ideas and contributions from others
• Dedicated to quality customer service
• Creative, strategic thinker
• Strong project management / technical skills
• Exercises good judgment

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment will close at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must submit an online application, including a resume and cover letter that reflect the scope and level of their current/most recent positions and responsibilities, and proof of education (degree or transcript). Candidates must also complete the online supplemental questionnaire. Online applications can be filed at www.longbeach.gov/jobs.

Following the close of filing, applications will be reviewed and those candidates determined to be the best qualified will be invited to participate in the selection process, which will include an oral interview by a selection panel. The selected candidate will be required to undergo a thorough background and reference check. Incomplete applications or candidates who clearly do not meet the minimum requirements of the position will not be considered.

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act .

The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-7915.

For technical support with your governmentjobs.com application, please contact (855) 524-5627.

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

Retirement:California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% or 2.7% (depending on hire date) @55 for "Classic" members and 2% @62 for new members as defined by PEPRA, subject to the compensation limitations set by PERS. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security.

Health and Dental Insurance:The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected.

Life Insurance:City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000.

Disability Insurance:City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.

Management Physical:Annual City-paid physical examination.

Vacation:Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service.

Executive Leave:Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year.

Sick Leave: One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits.

Holidays:Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal holidays to be used at the employee's discretion.

Transportation Allowance:Monthly allowance is allocated by classifications below;

• Department Head $650.00
• Deputy Director/Manager/Director (Harbor/Utilities) $550.00
• Division Officer/Superintendent/ Chief of Staff / Administrator / Principal DCA $450.00
• Assistant to Executive / Executive Assistant / Executive Secretary/ Executive Support Staff $300.00

Deferred Compensation Plan:Optional for employee contribution to a supplementary retirement savings program available through Mission Square Retirement formerly ICMA-RC Retirement Corporation).

• Classic CalPERS Members: The City will contribute a maximum of up to two percent (2%) of base salary* for all qualified Classic CalPERS members.
• Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) CalPERS Members: Effective the second full pay period following City Council adoption, the City contribution will increase from two percent (2%) to three percent (3%) of base salary* for all qualified PEPRA CalPERS members.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA):Optional election for employees to reduce taxable income for payment of allowable childcare or medical expenses.

Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule:Available (subject to City Manager approval).

Paid Parental Leave: The City provides one hundred and sixty (160) hours of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of salary, for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, regardless of the gender, marital status or sexual orientation of the parent.

Closing Date/Time: 5/4/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Long Beach, California United States View Map