If it seems like the ARRL just hired someone to manage emergency communications programs, you’re right. It was just about a year ago. I’m not sure what happened, but they’re looking to hire another one. See the job description below. It’s about as long a job description as I’ve ever read. If you are interested in this opening, send your resume and a cover letter to: [email protected].
Position:
Director, Emergency Management (Salaried Exempt; reports directly to CEO)
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director of Emergency Management will lead a team responsible for supporting ARRL emergency communications (EmComm) programs, products, and services, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), and will work with HQ staff to develop standards, protocols, and processes designed to support the Field Organization.
The incumbent will also:
- Serve as official point of contact and liaison to our Key Partners and other served agencies at a national level.
- Support the ARRL Field Organization in its Amateur Radio Emergency Service efforts.
- Interact with Key Partners to determine their requirements for communications volunteers, and develop working relationships for planning, cooperative education, and operational purposes.
- Encourage and assist Key Partners to establish plans, protocols, and procedures for incorporating amateur radio operators in their emergency response plans.
- Work proactively with Key Partners to ensure ARES training aligns with expectations for Auxiliary Communicators.
- In response to ARRL policy set by the Board of Directors, design and direct the continued updating and modernization of ARRL’s public service programs and volunteer training aligned with the emergency communications needs of its Key Partners and the public.
- With the guidance of the CEO and the Board or its designated committee, develop an ARRL EmComm strategic plan and periodically monitor and report performance against that plan.
- Position the ARRL as an NGO partner with its own set of volunteers. In cooperation with Key Partners, design, implement, and track ARRL’s tactical EmComm plans, protocols, and procedures to address amateur radio’s changing role in emergency and disaster response at national, regional, and tribal levels.
- Create, review, and maintain national MOUs with government and non-government agencies and served agency partners, and make recommendations, as appropriate.
- Represent the ARRL at national served agency and partner meetings, conventions, and exercises.
- Staff and direct an ARRL Emergency Preparedness department tasked with these and other functions:
- Provide assistance and guidance to Section Managers and Section Emergency Coordinators.
- Solicit and train an ARRL Headquarters Emergency Response Team to monitor and summarize amateur radio’s involvement during the planning and response phases of regional or national incidents.
- Author, edit, and maintain emergency preparedness content on the ARRL website, and create or solicit new content as needed.
- Create and solicit original content and assure accuracy and timeliness of other content for QST articles, the ARES-E Newsletter, social media feeds, and other media, as required.
- Monitor nationwide ARES status and provide periodic reports to management and the ARRL Board.
- Work to rebuild the relationship between ARES and NTS, and strengthen NTS’s EmComm capabilities.
- Establish annual plans and budgets for the Emergency Management department and manage to those goals.
- Prepare situational reports for ARRL Leadership as requested.
- Manage the Ham-Aid program.
Candidate Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
- Current General Class or higher amateur radio license.
- 10+ years of Amateur Radio experience in a Field Organization management position, preferably SM, SEC, DEC, or equivalent.
- Experience in ARES and NTS field operations or equivalent emergency communications, 3rd party message handling, and network operations.
- Experience with common digital applications used in VHF and HF emergency communications response.
- Experience working in NIMS ICS emergency and disaster management response.
- Experience with commercial emergency communication applications such as WebEOC.
- 10+ years’ experience in emergency management organizations, or equivalent.
- Fluent in common computer and office skills, especially Microsoft Office components.
- Proficient in the principles and practices of business correspondence and report writing.
- Knowledgeable in budgeting procedures and techniques.
- Possess strong leadership, motivational, managerial, team building, and conflict resolution skills.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or minimum 4 years equivalent experience in emergency management required.
- COML or COMT or equivalent professional experience preferred.
- Certifications from NIMS, FEMA or IAEM preferred.
Expectations:
- Must contribute to creating positive energy in a collaborative team atmosphere, showing excitement and pride in the team’s work, and being accountable for the results.
- Excellent written, interpersonal, and presentation skills, both internally and when interacting with external constituents, especially ARRL’s Key Partners.
- Strong credentials in state-of-the-art emergency preparedness skills.
- Clear understanding of ARRL’s existing public service offerings, ARES and NTS.
- Thorough understanding of the principles of effective emergency planning, training, and management.
- Able to develop and implement good practices in policy and procedure development.
- Familiar with Federal laws pertaining to emergency management and response.
- Excellent organizational, team building, and management skills.
- Within one year of employment, must successfully complete FEMA PDS independent study courses and obtain certification.
- Within one year of employment, must successfully complete ARRL EmComm courses and ICS-300 and ICS-400 (as available).
Work Environment:
- Office environment at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, CT, or the greater Washington, DC, area with moderately frequent travel and/or telecommuting between the two.
- Telecommuting from home location possible.
- Occasional travel to major EmComm conferences and demonstrations around the USA. Infrequent travel to attend IARU Region 2 meetings or to meet with sister societies.
- Expected to work outside normal work hours as needed, particularly during disasters or special events.
- Ability to lift and/or carry equipment, supplies, and other materials of 40 +/- pounds in fulfillment of the job requirements.
Conditions of Employment:
- Must be a US citizen to apply for this position.
- Must successfully pass background investigation.
- References must be provided upon request.
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