State of Maryland

An Emergency Management Operations Officer is the full performance level of work operating emergency management communications equipment, computer workstations and software packages at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.  Employees in this classification monitor, collect, organize, analyze, prioritize and report on emergency incidents and disasters on a statewide, regional, national and international level which may affect Maryland public safety.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an Emergency Management Operations Supervisor.  Employees are subject to call and may be assigned to day, evening or night shifts which may include weekends and holidays.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of the class specification.

The Emergency Management Operations Officer is differentiated from the Emergency Management Operations Supervisor in that the Emergency Management Operations Officer performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision while the Emergency Management Operations Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for Emergency Management Operations Officers.

Operates emergency management communications equipment, computer workstations and software packages at the State Emergency Operations Center;

Monitors, collects, organizes, analyzes and reports on emergency incidents and disasters on a statewide, regional, national and international basis which may affect Maryland public safety;

Contacts State and local emergency managers and directors, 911 and communications dispatchers, Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, regional offices of the National Weather Service and the Emergency Operations Centers of neighboring states to gather or provide emergency incident or disaster information, to check, coordinate and provide interoperable communications and to respond to requests for information or resources;

Recommends to the Emergency Management Operations Supervisor responses to emergency incidents or disasters;

Completes daily incident logs and other reports, noting any key issues or trends that should be brought to the attention of the shift supervisor;

Assists in the development and maintenance of databases in order to improve the collection and analyses of information and emergency operations capabilities;

Assists in preparing and executing operation exercises and training exercises designed to improve emergency operations;

Recommends changes to policies and procedures, operation exercises and training exercises;

Attends all required classes, seminars, workshops and other educational opportunities designed to maintain or enhance emergency analysis and communication skills;

May be required to travel to emergency or disaster sites in order to facilitate or coordinate emergency communications;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of emergency response communications equipment and systems to include interoperable communication switches used in responding to emergencies or coordinating emergency, safety or disaster relief;

Ability to operate emergency management communications equipment;

Ability to obtain, prioritize and disseminate information under stressful conditions;

Ability to recommend responses to emergency incidents and disasters based upon information received and analyzed;

Ability to clearly communicate information with others at federal, regional, State, and local levels concerning the preparation for, response to and recovery from emergency incidents and disasters;

Ability to complete and maintain logs, reports and databases of emergency response communications work;

Ability to complete assigned special projects such as developing emergency response and training exercises.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience in emergency communications work related to police, fire/rescue, medical service or military operations; or in coordinating emergency, safety or disaster relief efforts.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience in emergency response communication work responding to emergencies or coordinating emergency, safety or disaster relief on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in emergency communications systems and equipment operations classifications or specialty codes in the emergency management field of work on a year for year basis for the required experience.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call 24 hours a day and will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit as indicated by the designation of S (supervisor), M (manager), T (agency head), U (Board or Commission member), W (student), X (Used by agency or excluded by executive order), or Z (confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and therefore, all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.