A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

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 identify resources to support the overall preparedness of the City of Philadelphia.

OEM is responsible for a host of preparedness, response, and recovery activities that support the City of Philadelphia and the Southeastern Pennsylvania region. OEM is a 24/7/365 mission-critical operation that requires robust communication and information management capacities. OEM relies on legacy and emerging technologies to ensure reliable systems during emergencies and disasters. To ensure mission-critical functionality, OEM is seeking an Emergency Management Technology Program Manager to maintain as well as build, procure, and implement various technology platforms in support of the mission at both the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), mobile command post, and in the field. Working closely with the resource support and operations sections of OEM, the candidate will provide technical and logistical support for a wide variety of hardware and software employed by OEM and partners in a broad array of settings.

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, hands-on, and adept at working with diverse groups in stressful situations. While an enhanced level of technical proficiency will be expected from the candidate for various systems, a successful candidate will display the ability to deploy, operate, and demobilize numerous technologies while understanding their function within comprehensive emergency management service delivery.

To ensure that OEM and partners can operate effectively through a variety of circumstances, the candidate will work with many different entities from governmental and non-governmental organizations. The lines of effort will focus on six main areas:

1. Managing the technology systems of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Regional Integration Center (RIC), mobile command post, mobile EOC, and other components that support communication and situational awareness.
2. Managing radio (800MHz, UHF/VHF, and amateur), cellular, satellite, and network-based communication systems, including associated audio and visual components.
3. Administering several web-based systems, including the design and implementation for new uses.
4. Overseeing preventative maintenance and functionality testing of assigned equipment and systems while working closely with vendors and other stakeholders, particularly the City’s Office of Innovation and Technology.
5. Maintaining a high degree of accountability and attention to detail for the care and control of all systems within their purview.
6. Conducting the evaluation, design, procurement, implementation, training, and documentation necessary for the successful employment of technology solutions.

Essential Functions

Under the direction of the Deputy Director, the Emergency Management Technology Program Manager is responsible for a range of activities including the following:

• Administration of various software systems, including but not limited to: Veoci, Activu, WebEOC, Genetec, and Mutualink
• Management of communications systems, including but not limited to: 800 MHz Motorola radios, UHF/VHF and amateur radio, VoIP networks, satellite communications, microwave networks, cellular systems, Emergency Alert System/Wireless Emergency Alerts, National Warning System (NAWAS), Government Emergency Telecommunications Service, and Satellite Emergency Voice Alerting Network
• In coordination with the OEM IT and Logistics Programs, assess, procure new, deploy, and maintain the equipment and technology within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), mobile EOC, mobile command post, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) – this includes preventative maintenance and complying with auditing requirements
• Manage relationships with various vendors while overseeing service contracts
• Develop and maintain procedures for the use of technology in the Emergency Operations Center and the field
• Ensure the operational readiness of the Emergency Operations Center, mobile command post, UAS, and facilities that support the OEM mission
• Judiciously manage allocated funds for projects and seek out funding opportunities
• Consult on various facility related initiatives
• Represent the agency to various workgroups, in particular those hosted by the City’s Office of Innovation and Technology and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force
• Regularly facilitate and convene internal and external groups, recommend appropriate courses of action during routine and emergency operations, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local emergency management guidance
• Support all OEM program areas with emergency management technology
• Maintain proficiency in agency equipment and technology systems for situational awareness, incident management and visualization, and alert & warning
• Serve on an OEM on-call team responsible for responding to incidents on nights, weekends, holidays, and for extended hours as needed
• Perform other work as required

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to write operational plans or procedures, manuals, and user guides
• Proven ability to operate and lead during emergencies
• Sound judgement and ethical decision making
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills
• Professional conduct and accountability
• Proven time-management skills
• Ability to multitask effectively and determine priorities
• 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 environment
• Ability to interpret federal and state emergency management requirements and regulations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and the ability to operate other web-based platforms for situational awareness, information management, and mass notification
• Proficiency with computer networking, small electronics, and other craftsperson skills

Education and Experience

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.
• Three (3) or more years’ experience working within an emergency management or other public safety organization is preferred.
• Four (4) or more years’ experience administering systems, managing equipment, or deploying technology is preferred.
• Three (3) or more years’ experience in program or project planning management is preferred.
• Familiarity with the City of Philadelphia is preferred.
• Education or training on the previously identified platforms is preferred.
• Experience working in outdoor environments for prolonged periods is preferred.
• Experience interpreting and executing federal and state guidance is preferred.
• Experience coordinating large groups in collaborative, long-term, and recurring efforts is preferred.
• Experience in facilities or trade work is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field will be considered with approval by MDO-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.
• Within one year, the candidate will be expected to obtain and maintain a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Successful completion of FEMA Independent Study courses (IS 100, 200, 700, and 800) within first month of appointment.
• The candidate may be required to obtain and maintain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Communications Technician or Leader (COMT or COML) or other relevant technical certification is strongly desired.
• Candidate 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 will be required to serve in an on-call capacity which may require work outside of typical business hours, for extended periods of time, during states of emergency, in a field environment, in the 24/7 watch center, and during activations of Philadelphia’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Example environments include but are not limited to scenes where materials are on fire, around compromised utilities, around compromised structures, near hazardous materials storage that may be compromised, in congregate living settings, in/near crowds, near downed vegetation or other debris, or near flooding and water-damaged materials. All work will be performed while donning a level of personal protective equipment recommended by the incident safety officer and that you are trained on. Example tasks include working at a computer, observing and documenting conditions, 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/carrying materials. OEM personnel are essential workers.
• All OEM personnel are “emergency managers first.” During times of disaster, work assignments, schedules, and reporting structures may be altered to meet the incident objectives.Full-time residency within the City of Philadelphia geographic boundaries required within six months of hire. There are no exceptions to this policy.
• Full-time residency within the City of Philadelphia geographic boundaries required within six months of hire.  There are no exceptions to this policy.
• Ability to physically perform the duties during and outside of normal business hours, including carrying up to 40lbs, crawling, crouching, climbing, and working in field environments on rough terrain or in the elements.

Salary: $75,000

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

Vaccination status

As a condition of employment with the City of Philadelphia, employees starting employment on or after September 1, 2021 must be vaccinated.

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• 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

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

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