Municipal Emergency Planning Specialist

Compensation Range:

$52,890.24 - $79,331.20

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• The Emergency Management Planning Specialist is responsible for supporting emergency planning activities to ensure municipal compliance with Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) requirements, including PA Act 147 Radiological Emergency Response and associated planning directives.

• This position develops, maintains, and evaluates comprehensive emergency operations plans, continuity plans, hazard mitigation strategies, and radiological emergency preparedness (REP) functions.

• The role includes coordinating planning processes, exercises, and stakeholder engagement to enhance the municipality’s preparedness for all-hazards incidents, including those involving fixed nuclear facilities such as Peach Bottom and Crane Clean Energy Centers.

• Their workload is distributed as follows:

• 50% - The Municipal Planning Specialist is responsible for the updates and local promotion of the Lancaster County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), as well as all applicable plan annexes with a focus on HAZMAT and Radiological Emergency Response. The MEPS will provide key input to the County and regional Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) as well as the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) processes.

• 40% - Liaison to local municipalities within Lancaster County including, providing direct planning support, hazard and vulnerability analysis recommendations, and recommend risk mitigation strategies to support local radiological and HAZMAT emergency planning activities.

• 10% - This position serves as a HAZMAT and Radiological Emergency Response duty officer.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• The Municipal Emergency Planning Specialist (MEPS) reports to the Emergency Management Operations Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Develop, update, and maintain the municipal Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) in accordance with PEMA Directive 2018-01 and PEMA Standard Operating Guidance.

• Ensure compliance with PA Act 147 of 1978, including annual certification of the municipal EOP and participation in county and state-level coordination efforts.

• Develop and implement Radiological Emergency Response Plans, as required by PEMA REP program guidelines for municipalities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) of a nuclear power plant.

• Coordinate planning efforts with the county emergency management agency, regional task forces, PEMA Area Office, and other municipal departments.

• Integrate hazard identification and risk assessment data from the County Hazard Mitigation Plan into local plans and strategies.

• Participate in the annual REP exercise cycle (including out-of-sequence drills, graded evaluations, and ingestion pathway planning, as applicable) in compliance with FEMA REP Program Manual.

• Develop and maintain off-site emergency response plans in accordance with federal SARA Title III and PA ACT 165.

• Coordinate activities of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

• Administer and invoicing for chemical and reporting fee assessments in accordance with Lancaster County Ordinance 27.

• Write, manage, and report on grants to support the hazardous materials safety program.

• Complete reports and assessment documents in accordance with applicable PEMA directives pertaining to PA Act 165 (HAZMAT), and PA Act 147 (RERP).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

• Develop and maintain Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) plans for municipal departments.

• Facilitate public education and outreach activities, including emergency preparedness campaigns and distribution of REP-specific information such as potassium iodide (KI) availability.

• Serve as planning lead during municipal activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC); maintain situational plans, checklists, and emergency support function annexes.

• Support the Training