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 the primary city agency for emergency public alert and warning. In addition to traditional and social media efforts, OEM leverages: subscription-based text, email, and call notifications; reverse 9-1-1; the Emergency Alert System (EAS) which broadcasts over radio, television, and other mediums; and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). OEM is seeking an Alert & Warning Coordinator for managing the technical and strategic aspects of these critical capabilities to protect the public. 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, adept at working with diverse groups in stressful situations, can effectively manage computer-based systems, and can strategically manage the application of the systems while working in close consultation with the OEM Regional Integration Center (RIC), OEM Public Information Programs, and other stakeholders.

To best leverage these powerful communications tools in both steady-state and disaster applications, the candidate will work with many different partners from governmental and non-governmental organizations. The lines of effort will focus on five main areas:

1. Managing the alert and warning strategy and plan – composed of various systems.
2. Ensuring the operational readiness of systems with pre-planned messaging, triggers, training of end-users and exercising.
3. Serving as technical administrator for related systems for any mass notification need, public or otherwise.
4. Educating the public and operational partners on the available tools, seeking to always increase their reach.
5. Participation in incident responses as an emergency responder.

Essential Functions

Under the direction of the RIC Program Manager, the Alert & Warning Coordinator is responsible for a range of activities, including the following:

• Primary administrator of all alert and warning systems, including Everbridge Mass Notification and the EMNet EAS / WEA originator. Duties include: maintenance and updates, training, exercising, and technical implementation of new initiatives.
• Update and maintain the City of Philadelphia Alert and Warning Strategy. This includes assuring adequate templated messages that are actionable and accessible from both a language and DAFN consideration for all systems.
• Seek ways to expand use of systems for informational purposes and to increase enrollment where appropriate.
• Maintain technical and system use documentation for end-users and administrators.
• Engage and consult on all public and staff-facing mass notification efforts within the Office and the City as a whole.
• Ensure exercising of systems and other federal and state requirements are adhered to.
• Support RIC operational needs.
• Keep abreast of new technologies and best practices.
• 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

• Ability to multitask effectively.
• Ability to work well with others.
• 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 work independently and to hold yourself accountable.
• Ability to interpret federal and state emergency management requirements and regulations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook) and ability to operate other web-based platforms for information collection, management, and transmission.
• Proven ability to document plans and procedures
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong understanding of web-based systems
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills
• Professional conduct and accountability
• Proven time-management skill

Education and Experience

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• One (1) or more years’ experience working within an emergency management or other public safety organization is preferred.
• One (1) or more years’ experience in program or project management is preferred.
• One (1) or more years’ experience administering web-based platforms is preferred.
• Experience crafting effective public messaging in various formats, including other languages and for individuals with access and functional needs is preferred.
• Familiarity with the City of Philadelphia is preferred.
• Experience developing, training, and exercising on the use of systems 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.
• 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.
• Successful completion of FEMA Independent Study courses (IS 100.a, 200.a, 700.a, and 800.b) within first month of appointment.
• 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

• ­Work may entail nights, weekends, and holidays.
• ­OEM personnel are essential, requiring work during states of emergency or other city closures.
• ­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.
• ­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.
• ­Ability to physically perform the duties during and outside of normal business hours while in or outdoors.

Salary:  < $62,500

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

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. 

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