Emergency Preparedness and Safety Officer
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The United States District Court and the Probation and Pretrial Services Office is seeking an Emergency Preparedness and Safety Officer (EPSO). The principal responsibilities are to provide leadership, assistance, advice, and recommendations with respect to all aspects of emergency preparedness, security coordination with the relevant law enforcement agencies, continuity of operations planning, and communication on these issues with all federal and local agencies within the Central District of California.
- Coordinating and enhancing communication with U.S. Marshals, other law enforcement agencies, and GSA on threats and potential emergencies;
- Monitoring and assessing hazardous situations;
- Developing measures to assure the safety of judicial officers and employees;
- Creating awareness and maintaining awareness of any developing situations;
- Assisting in the review and development of occupant emergency plans (OEP) for each court location and unit;
- Preparing business recovery plans (BRP) and continuity of operations plans (COOP) for each court location and unit;
- Coordinating all court and related unit/agency BRPs, OEPs and COOPs;
- Developing memoranda of understanding, as required, with relevant agencies (i.e., with local government entities to provide an alternative site for court operations);
- Developing supporting data and materials for various forums and may serve as a principal instructor for workshop and training sessions involving COOP and emergency preparedness topics;
- Recommending strategies and communication plans for disseminating information to judges, chambers staff, clerk’s office staff, and other federal/governmental agencies;
- Coordinating with IT on the emergency notification system; may update emergency hotline information;
- Providing training and exercises on the implementation of the BRPs, OEPs, and COOPs and conduct tests of all plans, as necessary, but not less than annually;
- Establishing and maintaining contacts with U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Federal Protective Service (FPS), FEMA, local police, fire, and public health officials, and Judiciary Emergency Preparedness Office (JEPO);
- Assisting in developing and participating in interagency COOP exercises to ensure effective interagency coordination;
- Coordinating mail handling procedures for suspicious mail sent to the court;
- Leading the Floor Warden Training Program.
- Supporting various security committees and assisting with preparing agendas and materials; serving as a subject matter expert on contingency-related plans and emergency preparedness issues.
- Leading the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Program and ensuring practices and policies are aligned with the most current CDC health information;
- Working to ensure each court unit has an up to date viable, OEP and COOP plan;
- Assuring alternate sites are in a perpetual state of readiness;
- Keeping district, probation, pretrial and other agencies apprised of information from JEPO, FEMA, GSA, and other emergency planning/disaster relief agencies;
- Ensuring that the analysis of court facilities (e.g., USMS court facility surveys) addresses court operational emergency preparedness concerns;
- Serving as coordinator and repository for district-wide BRP, OEP, and COOP plans;
- Keeping floor warden rosters up to date, identifying those with mobility issues and ensuring that information is posted in an appropriate location;
- Scheduling building evacuation and shelter-in-place drills;
- Coordinating safety drills and identifying procedures that need to be improved and develop the necessary training
- Keeping floor warden manuals up to date and distributed;
- Providing training or obtaining the necessary resources for CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator.
- Providing training for employees on policies, regulations, and procedures.
- Five years of hands-on experience in the emergency and preparedness discipline, and relevant law enforcement experience.
- Thorough knowledge of all matters related to emergency preparedness, preferably court emergency preparedness for high level professional environments. Highly developed and proven leadership, management, investigation, and negotiation skills. Highly developed and proven oral and written communication skills.
- Experience working with Federal Facilities security requirements; the Interagency Security Committee Standard.
- Highly developed and proven ability to initiate and manage projects through to completion. Ability to oversee project budgets.
- Ability to develop recommendations and direct professionals in emergency and operational preparedness matters. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions concerning emergency preparedness. Good knowledge of court operations and functions. Well-developed organizational skills and the capability to motivate others involved in emergency preparedness matters. Ability to multitask in an ever-changing fast pace work environment. Ability to remain calm and take decisive action during emergencies and other high pressure situations. Ability to facilitate meetings.
- Degree in emergency management, disaster preparedness, law enforcement or related field preferred.
- Law enforcement, FEMA, and American Red Cross certifications a plus.
- Good knowledge of personal computer operation and use of basic business computer tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, database and web based applications.
Successful candidate must be able to bend, pull, push and lift up to 20 pounds, reach, walk, stand and/or sit for extended periods, with or without accommodation.
Federal employees are entitled to federal benefits such as health, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance and flexible spending accounts. Participation in a defined benefit plan the Federal Employees Retirement System-Further Revised Annuity Employee (FERS-FRAE), and up to 5% matching contributions on retirement savings through the Thrift Savings Plan (401k equivalent). Generous accrual of paid time vacation and sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year. Commuter subsidies for public transportation to and from work. Extensive online training options and in-person training and professional conferences, funds permitting.
Must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident with authorization to work in the United States who is currently seeking U.S. citizenship or intending to become a U.S. citizen immediately after meeting the eligibility requirements. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate is required to undergo an FBI background check. The Federal Financial Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages for employees. The United States District Court and the Probation and Pretrial Services Office requires employees to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Federal Judicial Employees, which is available on the Court’s website: www.cacd.uscourts.gov.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications should be submitted to apply_CACD@cacd.uscourts.gov. Documents must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format, and the email should reference the vacancy number. Complete applications must include the following:
- a cover letter;
- a resume; and
- an application for Federal Branch Employment (visit the court’s website at www.cacd.uscourts.gov to download the job application).
Due to the volume of applications received, the Court will only communicate with those individuals who will be interviewed. Applicants scheduled to interview should advise the Human Resources staff if any accommodation will be necessary to interview. Unfortunately, the Court is unable to reimburse applicants for any travel or parking costs.
The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.
The Federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer