Emergency Management & Public Safety Power Shut-off (EM/PSPS) Coordinator

Rolling Start, Inc., Center for Independent Living (RSI) is a 501 c (3) notfor-profit organization that provides advocacy and services to people with all types of disabilities. The mission of RSI is to educate and empower people with disabilities to achieve the independent life of their choice. We have been serving San Bernardino, Mono and Inyo County for 45 years.

The purpose of EM/PSPS coordinator is to be a partner and resource to support Rolling Start Inc, state, local disaster response organizations and county emergency management offices; to identify the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs (AFN) before, during and after disasters in order to integrate a whole community inclusion approach for overall emergency management. The EM/PSPS coordinator utilizes a community approach by offering training and guidance to individuals with disabilities, emergency managers, planners, disability advocates and other service providers responsible for planning throughout San Bernardino, Mono and Inyo Counties and, responding to and helping communities prepare and recover from Public Safety Power Shut offs and disasters. Responsibilities include the integration of safety and other relevant regulations, and oversight of incident and event response.

• Work with local government agencies to conduct continuing assessments to determine the AFN community’s risk for natural (e.g., wildfires, floods, earthquakes, pandemics, etc.), technological (e.g., public safety power shut offs, nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills), human-caused (e.g., active shooter or hostage situations), and other disasters.
• Develop and maintain RSI’s emergency operation plan and work to activate it in coordination with RSI management and staff as appropriate.
• Collaborate with local 211 office, County Offices of Emergency Services and Public Health teams within RSI’s catchment area in the creation, development, education, training, and implementation of disaster plans.
• Know each counties alert and notification systems and procedures, and ensure appropriate staff is educated on this as well.
• Manage disaster response or crisis management activities for RSI in coordination with local Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs).
• Participate in each county’s emergency preparedness committees such as COAD/ VOAD to provide a disability-centered perspective to disaster planning and implementation.
• Provide necessary project management and support for all related emergency preparedness sub-committee work related to older adults and people with disabilities.
• Coordinate the use and routine testing of any and all disaster-related RSI or equipment received for consumers.
• Identify and maintain contact information for community response partners and identify how RSI’s consumers and the AFN community will be notified of an emergency/ crisis situation.
• Provide warnings and emergency data to the RSI leadership and staff including Social Media Coordinator (for appropriate social media posts) and county partners before, during, and after emergencies that affect it.
• Continue to develop, maintain and administer community education campaigns for disaster preparedness, including but not limited to: disaster preparedness classes for RSI consumers, development and distribution of 3-day “go bags”, Southern California Edison Medical Baseline enrollment and development of personal preparedness plans.
• Supervise and/or provide training to community partners on the potential needs of older adults and people with disabilities during PSPS and Disaster events;
• Administer RSI’s Public Safety Power Shut Off response including back-up battery loan program by screening, administering distribution of batteries, and tracking battery loans;
• Participate in training and exercises to practice/ test emergency plans with community partners or statewide exercises;
• Perform assigned incident command role during RSI drills, exercises, and real- world emergencies.
• Develop after action reports for every local disaster response including identification of what worked and what did not work with specific recommendations for improvement;
• Advocate for the needs of people with disabilities and older adults in State and National emergency preparedness policy.
• Mentor students, interns, and other applicable staff on the roles and responsibilities of the emergency management/PSPS coordinator.
• Maintain tracking and databases to collect, review, and track data required by local, state, and federal entities which are consistent with RSI’s policies and procedures.
• Continue to develop, maintain, and prepare reports that fulfill grant contract requirements as outlined by the specific funding stream.
• Provide virtual and in person consumer training for RSI Staff, the public and be comfortable speaking at community events.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of an Associate degree in Emergency Management, Communication, or related field;

• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Communication, or related field;

• 2+ years of Emergency Management, Preparedness & Planning;

• Establish and maintain good working relationships with fellow employees as well as with other local, state and federal agencies, stakeholder organizations, and the public;

• Excellent Oral & Written communication skills;

• Experience and knowledge in communicating with people with disabilities is preferred

• Familiarity with healthcare emergency preparedness, including security, safety, HAZMAT, OSHA, NIMS, FEMA, COAD, VOAD and OES;

• Ability to articulate complex concepts both orally and in writing, but also translate those complex concepts into plain language.

• Organizational Leadership and project management skills;

• Provides own transportation throughout services area, including areas not serviced by public transportation.;

• Will be available to work occasional evenings and weekends.

• Ability to lift 70 lbs.

• Multitasking and ability to work under pressure.

• Knowledge of the services in the areas. Sensitivity to, and knowledge of, the needs of persons with disabilities;

• Knowledge of Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Olmstead Decision of 1999

• Bilingual speaking skills, Spanish and/or American Sign Language preferred.

• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly and to articulate a variety of perspectives to people with disabilities;

• Ability to train, deliver speeches and prepare articles for publication with little or no assistance. Approval of the Executive Director is necessary;

• Ability to define problems, research, collect and interpret information, and effectively teach the appropriate material;

• Ability to initiate projects and work with a minimum of supervision;

• Ability to organize and effectively prioritize many competing demands;

• Ability to collaborate with community partners, and others in Emergency Management roles.

Will be expected to spend time in RSI’s San Bernardino and Victorville office. The noise level of the office(s) are low to moderate. Mostly indoors; occasional travel should be expected, local, regional and statewide. Must be able to work at a computer station for long periods of time, with required rest breaks. Participate in long teleconference calls from time to time.

Rolling Start, Inc. celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.