With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and opportunities in more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the United States and one of the largest employers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia operates through the guiding principles of service, integrity, respect, accountability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion. Through these principles, we strive to effectively deliver services, to resolve the challenges facing our city, and to make Philadelphia a place where all of our residents have the opportunity to reach their potential. 

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 uniquely charged to integrate emergency plans from various agencies and organizations, while also implementing its own distinctive efforts. OEM maintains a 24/7 operational capability for events with significant impacts to public safety, critical facilities or vulnerable populations, long durations, or high complexity. Operations may materialize in a field response, Emergency Operations Center activation, or remote coordination. To effectively plan for and execute these activities, OEM is seeking a Response Planning Program Manager for a new position. This position will see that OEM specific actions identified in citywide emergency operations plans are well documented, trained, and exercised for the Office of Emergency Management – whether effected in the field or from the City’s EOC. 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, and has a proven track record of effectively operating under emergency circumstances.

To best prepare OEM and city partners to respond to any emergency or disaster, the candidate will work with many different entities from governmental and non-governmental organizations. The lines of effort will focus on five main areas:

1. Operational planning, training, and exercising for OEM-specific actions in a variety of emergency situations.
2. Administrative and planning functions supporting the field response program.
3. Fostering day to day relationships with partners at the operational level.
4. Support to all response related office functions.
5. Participation in incident responses as an emergency responder.

Qualifications and Requirements

Education and Experience

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) or more years’ experience working within an emergency management or other public safety organization is preferred.
• Three (3) or more years’ experience managing personnel is preferred.
• Two (2) or more years’ experience in program or project planning management.
• Familiarity with the City of Philadelphia is preferred.
• Experience supervising teams in completion of objectives in difficult circumstances or potentially hazardous situations.
• Experience working in outdoor environments for prolonged periods is preferred.
• Experience developing, training, and exercising tactical plans 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

• OEM personnel will be required to serve in an on-call capacity to work during non-business hours for extended periods of time in a field environment and during activations of Philadelphia’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). OEM personnel are essential.
• 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.

Salary: $75k

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

What We Offer:

• 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
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• A wellness program that offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

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 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

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