New Job, Same Passion for Disaster Information and Technology

A few months ago I wrote a post on building better disaster resilience with information and technology. The post turned in to a philosophy of sorts that guided me in my pursuit of a new job.

I am happy to report that last Monday I reported to work at Obsidian, A Cadmus Company. Obsidian is a fast growing emergency management and homeland security consulting firm based in Washington, DC, but working nationally. 

The company prides itself on solving hard problems and the employees reflect it. Since Monday I have met very smart, intelligent, focused and driven individuals who are interested in more than a paycheck. They are interested in making a difference. This is why I happily accepted Obsidian's offer. I believe that to succeed in this industry and make a difference, you need a passion for the subject as well as for change. And, of course, it helps when you are surrounded by like-minded people!

While I will be working on a multitude of projects, I will not be abandoning my interests and passion for rethinking how we approach disaster information and technology. In fact, Obsidian has a growing focus on the intelligent and strategic uses of information and technology and I plan to support them in this pursuit. I will also continue my weekly email newsletter and continue blogging as much as I can amidst finishing my PhD nights and weekends. 

If you need anything or want to learn more about Obsidian, please don't hesitate to reach out! I am here for the long haul.  

--Brandon

Jetblue is Hiring for a BC/EM Tech Strategy and Management Position

I do not come across technology strategy and management positions in emergency management very often. Positions like these signal a commitment to the responsible use of technology by dedicating someone knowledgeable to think through how technology can better support the organization's mission. This is vital to ensuring you maximize the value of the technology that you license and have at your disposal.  

If you are interested in this type of position, Jetblue is hiring a Senior Analyst for Business Continuity and Emergency Response Systems. This role was specially created a few years ago and I believe there are some awesome travel benefits!

I am not sure how long this position will be posted. You can apply by clicking the button below or this link.

Here are the details of the positions.  

Position Summary

The Senior Analyst, Business Continuity (BC) and Emergency Response (ER) Systems, reports to the Manager, Disaster Recovery and manages the technology supporting BC, Disaster Recovery (DR), and ER. This role is responsible for the strategic development and management of various applications to support planning, mitigation, response, and recovery for all three workgroups. Technology supported includes an emergency notification system, passenger tracking system, incident management, and business continuity planning.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the day-to-day management of the Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Emergency Response systems including developing, testing and on-going maintenance (including change management with updates). Enforcing department policies such as data standards to ensure accuracy of information.
• Ensure vital/time sensitive functions are cross trained to ensure response capacity across all members of department.
• Conducts research on emerging technologies and industry best practices.
• Recommends technology solutions that solve pain points identified by Director or Managers.
• For new technology: source multiple potential suppliers, conduct due diligence/supply chain process, contract management, implementation, testing, end-user training, and maintenance. Prepare for Leadership approval.
• Assist with identifying and tracking Technical Recovery Plans, Service Level Agreements, bugs, and data integrity for systems tracked in BC and DR program.
• Support the testing and readiness of the SOC Backup Center - Woodbury Support Center. Enforce compliance of all departments represented.
• Ensure end users including Business Continuity Liaisons are able to understand the software to conduct their BC Planning. 
• Participates on rotating on-call coverage by serving as a resource to Crewleaders and Crewmembers to provide guidance in times of crisis
• Oversee, respond to, and manage logistics of critical crisis events to support the business, Operations and/or Crewmembers.
• Develop and conduct tabletop exercise for department specific plans and Crisis Management Team as needed
• Develop strong industry relationships with Business Partners, government agencies and other companies’ Business Continuity departments as well as strong working relationship with JetBlue’s Leadership and Crewmembers Create, implement, and manage ad-hoc projects as needed
• Other duties/projects as assigned

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree any field
• Three (3) years of experience in the Business Continuity or related field
• Experience in business continuity program management
• Experience in coordinating multiple projects
• Experience in managing applications
• Knowledge of PowerPoint, Outlook and Microsoft Office
• Ability to handle stressful situations in a calm manner and provide leadership when needed
• Attention to detail in maintaining emergency response members’ records
• Ability for frequent overnight travel (15%)
• Pass a ten (10) year background check, pre-employment drug test and criminal history records check (when applicable).
• Legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management, Crisis Management, or Business Continuity
• Prior experience in managing emergency management or business continuity software
• Experience with coordinating multiple location in emergency preparedness
• Previous experience with deployment  command centers for crisis situations
• Has developed key industry (public/private) relationships

Crewmember Expectations:

• Regular attendance and punctuality
• Potential need to work flexible hours and be available to respond on short-notice
• Well groomed and able to maintain a professional appearance
• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft
• Must be an appropriate organizational fit for the JetBlue culture, that is, exhibit the JetBlue values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion and Fun

Equipment:

• Computer and other office equipment

Work Environment:

• Normal Office Environment

Physical Effort: 

• Generally not required, or up to 10 pounds occasionally, 0 pounds frequently. (Sedentary)

Public Health Emergency Canvassing Operations Planner [Job]

A friend just forwarded me a great job opportunity in emergency health planning with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. They are looking for Post-Emergency Canvassing Operation (PECO) Planner that has both health planning, management and data/tech skills.

This job is at the forefront public health emergency preparedness and I would encourage anyone who wants to be at the cutting edge of data in public health to apply for this position.  

Job Description

PECO Planner (Job ID: 191046) 

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), an agency recognized worldwide for being a leader in public health and at the forefront of cutting-edge public health emergency planning initiatives, seeks a dynamic professional with excellent writing, project management, and facilitation skills, to serve as a PECO Planner within the Agency’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR), Post Emergency Canvassing Operations project. The selected candidate will develop and maintain the operational plans relevant to the Post Emergency Canvassing Operations (PECO). 

The Post-Emergency Canvassing Operation (PECO) project will be a process initiated after the impact from an event, depleting electric power, and/or heat, and/or water to over 5,000 households, lasting at least, or anticipated to occur for more than 48 hours. Such events can be the result from, but not limited to, heat waves, coastal storms, localized earthquakes, and water main breaks. The canvassing is an operation meant to rapidly survey newly vulnerable populations to determine critical needs such as water, food, power, and medical care. These needs will be referred to appropriate partners and the services the City provides post-emergency to individuals who are unable or who have difficulty, because of their disability, to access services that the City will coordinate. This canvassing operation is targeted at those who did not evacuate and may need assistance to maintain their independence in a post-disaster scenario. 

This candidate should be able to: 

• Coordinate with city agencies’ leadership to resolve policy issues regarding the canvassing of NYC residents, such as privacy, security, and language issues. 
• Collect large quantities of data from disparate sources and perspectives and develop written reports, protocols, and process documents. 
• Coordinate and request information from subject matter experts and city agencies. 
• Serve as a liaison with city agencies on the development of planning materials related to PECO program. 
• Coordinate with DOHMH’s Community Resilience Unit to create plan components that leverage capabilities of non-profit and community-based organizations to determine how they can best integrate with PECO . 
• Conduct data analysis and research on best practices utilized in NYC canvassing efforts. 
• Develop several operations tools, including operational checklists and job action sheets. 
• Maintain testing/evaluation plans and associated corrective actions to ensure that plans continue to be viable, effective, and fulfill the needs of NYC 
• Coordinate and oversee PECO Program plan contract deliverables with consultants and vendors.

Minimum Qual Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and five years of full-time professional satisfactory experience acquired within the last fifteen years, in a health services setting such as a laboratory, hospital, or other patient care facility, or in a public health, environmental health, or mental hygiene program, at least 18 months of which must have been in a managerial capacity, consisting of managerial experience clearly demonstrating the ability to perform difficult and responsible managerial work, requiring independent decision-making concerning program management, planning, allocation of resources, and the scheduling and assignment of work 

2. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. Education may be substituted for experience on the basis that each 30 graduate semester credits from an accredited college in hospital administration, public health, public administration, business administration, management or administration can be substituted for one year of non-managerial experience up to a maximum of 60 semester credits for two years. However, all candidates must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree and 18 months of managerial experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Proven experience conducting emergency preparedness planning and implementation within an Incident Command System environment 
• Exceptional communications and interpersonal skills 
• Be able to coordinate a large number of projects simultaneously under pressure with very tight deadlines 
• Strong writing skills and presentation skills 
• Experience working with New York City Agencies is preferred.

Emergency Response Planner [Job]

A friend just forwarded me a great job opportunity in emergency planning with Booz Allen. The job is housed in a Business Continuity environment, but the planning is emergency management focused. They are looking for somewhat junior person.

Job Description 

Emergency Response Planner-01187357

Key Role:  Work as a part of a dynamic, highly functioning team that manages Booz Allen's internal corporate business continuity, crisis, and emergency management program. Work with internal offices and teams globally to develop detailed plans and procedures to manage disruptive incidents affecting Booz Allen staff, offices, or operations. Develop training and exercises to measure program performance and enhance readiness. Lead or support training and exercises in the team and with other key corporate stakeholders. Monitor risks to Booz Allen and its employees on a continuous basis, provide situational awareness to firm leadership, and work with offices and teams to mitigate and manage risks. Contribute to the design or selection, implementation, and maintenance of decision support, planning, risk monitoring, and communications tools. Support the firm's response to crises and other disruptions, including the stand-up and operation of an incident operations center to centrally manage the firm's response. 

Basic Qualifications: Experience with operational planning. Experience with writing emergency response plans, contingency plans, evacuation plans, or emergency and tactical standard operating procedures (SOP). Experience with participating in the response to complex emergencies, including work in operations centers or fusion centers. Experience with risk and threat monitoring, analysis, and reporting. Experience with conducting training or briefings for senior personnel. Knowledge of private sector emergency and risk management principles and practices, including preparedness, mitigation, response, training, and exercises. Ability to pay strict attention to detail.

Additional Qualifications: Experience with private sector business continuity management principles and practices. Experience with commercial vendor tools for mass notification, business continuity, and risk monitoring and situational awareness. Experience with designing, implementing, and managing technology-based tools to compile, visualize, and present risk and operational dashboards. Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills. Possession of excellent presentation skills. BA or BS degree.

2 EM Jobs and 1 EM Internship For You!

In the last two days I have received several entry-ish level job opportunities to list.  They are great opportunities in NYC with two great organizations: 1) Mount Sinai Hospital and 2) JetBlue.  Here they are:

1)  Administrative Manager for Emergency Management, Mount Sinai Hospital 

If selected for this opportunity you will be responsible for:

• Assisting in the development, implementation and oversight of new preparedness initiatives and programs for Mount Sinai Health System 
• Conducting research and analysis of guidance and policies to assist in preparedness efforts
• Assuring regional responsibilities are fulfilled with regard to coordination of preparedness initiatives and / or event responses
• Collaborating with multiple service lines and departments within Hospital Operations including, but not limited to, clinical leadership, Hospital Administration, Safety, Security, Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Marketing and Purchasing
• Serving as the Senior Project Officer to oversee the development of deliverables, policies, and guidelines for NIMS/HEICS compliance and NYDOHHMH deliverables
• Developing and providing training, and conducting drills and exercises consistent with HSEEP methodologies to ensure readiness and improve response

To qualify you must have the following:

• Master’s degree in Emergency Management, Hospital Administration or related topic preferred
• Three years Hospital-based Emergency Management experience

To apply and for full details, visit Mt. Sinai Careers (Job #: 54803)

2) Analyst - Emergency Response, JetBlue (Closes 2/4)

The Analyst manages, revises and tests the validity and integrity of JetBlue Airways Corporate and Local Emergency Response Plans, and builds and maintains relationships with key internal and external Emergency Response (ER) teams and partners.  The Analyst revises and audits JetBlue’s Emergency Operations Manual and Deployment Kits and creates and maintains Emergency Response (ER) deployment tools, resources, and software programs.

Essential Responsibilities

• Emergency Operations Manual (EOM) Maintenance - Reviews EOM for necessary corrections and updates,  reviews checklists for accuracy and suggests enhancements to current documents
• Emergency Response Member Team Management – Manages member information database; maintenance, training and regular testing of emergency notification tool; develops, trains, and manages Initial and Recurrent Emergency Response training programs
• Emergency Exercise Manager - Creates, activates and reviews effectiveness of companywide and station exercises, tests and drills, which may include full scale exercises, functional exercises, tabletop exercises, manifest drills and/or notification drills
• Emergency Command Center (ECC) Management - Facilitates quarterly ECC maintenance checks, communicates problem areas with the appropriate departments, ensures that operational integrity of the room and acts as the point person for ECC operational concerns
• Go Team Supplies Management - Perform maintenance checks of the emergency supplies and equipment in the Go Team Kits to ensure status-ready condition
• Emergency Response Liaison (ERL) Program Management - Communicates with ERLs in each city regarding station activities and trainings; creates and maintains training program for station preparedness and response; acts as Emergency Response point person for station leadership and ER Liaisons
• Webpage Management - Maintains Emergency Response and ERL intranet sites by adding current information and maintaining information on exercises, deployments, ER programs, training materials and other resources
• Station Audit/Opening Support - Researches demographics and challenges that may impact JetBlue’s response in the event of an emergency in that area (i.e. language barrier, cultural differences, legal restrictions, and unfamiliar government agencies) and proposes proactive solutions to the challenges; audit local Emergency Response Plans and participate in station emergency exercises, as needed; visit with airport authorities and review plans
• Relationship Building - Formulates strong working relationships with JetBlue Leadership, ER Team Members, and ER Liaisons and  other Emergency Response professionals, including other airlines, governments, airports, state emergency management groups other methods of transportation etc
• Supports Crewmembers in Crisis - Participates in rotating on-call coverage to link Crewmembers and Crewleaders to appropriate support resources i.e. Employee Assistance Program, JetBlue Crewmember Crisis Fund, People Resources, BlueBenefits, Anti-Drug and Alcohol, etc. after hours; provide logistical support for major events that impact a large number of Crewmembers
• Creates, implements, and manages ad-hoc projects as needed
• All other duties as assigned

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to pay attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize projects
• Ability to work independently and plan work schedule accordingly to upcoming events
• Available for occasional travel (20%)
• Must be in possession of valid travel documents with the ability to travel in and out of the United States
• Must pass a ten (10) year background check and pre-employment drug test
• Must be legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Aviation or Emergency Management preferred, or One (1) to three (3) years of experience in the Emergency Response field
• Computer literate in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint
• Emergency Program Management experience
• Ability to remain calm and professional during crisis/emergencies
• Positive attitude, self-motivated and ability to adapt to a demanding environment

To apply and for full details, visit JetBlue Careers (Job #: 27694). Applications should be submitted by February 4, 2015.

3) Intern, Business Continuity & Emergency Response, JetBlue (Closes 2/6)

JetBlue Airways’ Business Continuity & Emergency Response Department will have one vacant position for a full-time, paid internship this summer (2015) in New York City. The College Crew Internship position is posted online. This position is listed under Operations, and it explains that each candidate may apply to one of several operational departments.

Responsibilities for Business Continuity & Emergency Response Intern

Responsible for planning for and responding to any major business disruption event, including aircraft accidents, weather events, and other corporate crises. Our department manages, trains, and drills corporate Emergency Response teams, including the Emergency Command Center, Go Team, and Crisis Management Team.

In addition to pay, this internship includes JetBlue flight benefits. We are seeking a qualified undergraduate upperclassman, recent graduate, or graduate student to help support our team’s mission.

To apply and for full details, visit JetBlue Careers (Job #: 27523).  Candidates should express interest in our specific department in their resume and/or cover letter. Applications should be submitted by February 6, 2015.