Watch Specialist

Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is an emergency response entity and this status can affect working hours, travel, and change in duties as needed. The Watch Specialist position performs complex (journey-level) analytical operational support and technical assistance assignments in the State Operations Center (SOC) under three primary components of the position. This includes Watch Specialist duties, technical writing, and routine to complex Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Work involves planning, developing, implementing an agency program, providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public.

Works under general supervision and, on occasion, may have latitude in the absence of the Watch Manager with initiative and independent judgment.

***The Watch Specialist will be assigned a scheduled 8-hour shift to be determined after completion of training.

This position reports to the Watch Manager.

*Salary is a fixed rate.

*This position is located on-site and not subject to telecommuting.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs assigned technical operations, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities for the SOC's warning, alert, and communications systems and emergency operations.

• Collaborates in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation for emergency incidents/special operations events.

• Reviews and analyzes information to determine incident trends and appropriate course of action, including writing ad hoc or situation reports.

• Serves as a liaison to staff, government agencies, community organizations, and the general public to confirm information and/or explain and provide technical assistance on program specifics and requirements.

• Reviews and documents incident information, threat warnings, homeland security reports, weather information, bulletins, and other communications traffic.

• Reviews and evaluates information on emergency management activities to identify gaps in resources and recommend improvements.

• Make decisions on approval/disapproval in the absence of the Watch Manager for Silver and Endangered Missing Alerts.

• Conducts surveys and/or reviews to determine and maintain compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• In coordination with the Watch Manager, direct notifications to state and federal agencies, local governments, and the public of threats and incidents according to established policies and procedures.

• In coordination with Watch Manager, direct the coordination of requests for assistance and resources, and make decisions to forward to management as necessary.

• Monitors, reviews, and evaluates compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules for assigned program.

• Prepares comprehensive administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.

• Studies and analyzes business processes and efficiencies (including division performance measures), prepare reports of findings, and make recommendations for procedural or policy changes to the Watch Manager or other management staff as directed.

• Researches, evaluates, and recommends to the Watch Manager new technology and improvement of capabilities within the program area.

• Prepares justifications for the implementation of procedural or policy changes.

• Develops policy and procedure manuals as directed by the Watch Manager.

• Recommends and coordinate activities to produce a more effective program.

• Coordinates shift activities and responsibilities and provide input to the Watch Manager.

• Assists with help desk duties such as password resets for several internal systems.

• Ability to travel 10%.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Maintains a regular work schedule and work extended hours when needed.

• Maintains a regular course of attendance during authorized work schedule.

• Face-to-face and person-to-person interactions are required.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities for Technical Writing:

• Development of comprehensive and accurate technical documentation ensuring internal and external communication is consistent with TDEM branding in coordination with the Media and Communications Division.

• Writes various technical reports for a wide range of document sharing internally and externally.

• Creates and revises documents and reference materials based on end-user feedback and regulatory requirements to establish a visual and written style guide for Unit consistency.

• Monitors terminology changes for impact on existing products and make appropriate revisions.

• Consistently meet deadlines and communication objectives.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities for Geographic Information System (GIS):

• Use of existing and new GIS applications and create/update GIS information.

• Assists with GIS applications, crisis management systems (CIMS), and data analytics and reporting systems.

• Reads and interprets maps, to include understanding map properties such as distance, scales, and legends.

• Researches, collects, and creates maps using mapping resources and data within scope of services for GIS Unit.

This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Other duties may be assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education – Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience – Two years of related experience. A minimum of one year of progressively responsible, verifiable experience in emergency management, homeland security, telecommunications operations, program administration, military, or direction and control facility/operations of a federal, state, or local government organization.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in Geographic Information System (GIS).

• Experience in Technical Writing.

*Additional relevant work experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis. Thirty (30 semester hours are equivalent to one year of experience. A completed advanced degree in a relevant field may also be substituted in lieu of work experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to state and federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies, and procedures. Considerable knowledge of emergency warning methods, systems, and procedures.

• Knowledge of Geographic Information System (GIS) applications.

• Knowledge of Technical Writing.

• Ability to demonstrate and exercise poise, tact, diplomacy, and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.

• Ability to be organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multi-demand and constantly changing environment; able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness, or professionalism.

• Ability to communicate orally, often during emergency situations and in writing, including preparing accurate and grammatically correct memoranda, letters, procedures, reports, and other documents.

• Skill in operating and training others to operate a variety of communications systems. Ability to understand emergency needs and effectively coordinate with other agencies/organizations to identify and deploy resources.

• Ability to collect, compile, analyze, and summarize a wide variety of data obtained from different sources and utilize that information to prepare briefings and reports.

• Must be able to operate a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheets, and specialized applications. Ability to quickly learn new or upgraded equipment, systems, and software. Considerable knowledge of communications equipment and performing preventative and routine maintenance on such equipment.

• Ability to operate audio/visual, video-teleconference, telephone conferencing equipment, communications systems such as web-based audio and webinar software, and information technology equipment and software related to the day-to-day operations of the program area in accordance with applicable procedures.

• Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance, and dissemination of information.

• Availability for shift work is required (day, evening, night, weekend) as well as during holidays, emergencies, and disasters.

• May be required to travel by vehicle or other mode of transportation for occasional frequency.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE:

• Complete and obtain certification in IS-, IS-, IS-, IS- FEMA courses within twelve months of employment and any other training as determined.

• Maintain a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) HAM Radio technician level 1, OR other similar, like, or comparable license that may satisfy licensing requirements.

*Additional Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) information can be accessed at: are not accepted in lieu of an application.