Job Information
City of New York PUBLIC WARNING SPECIALIST in New York, New York
Job Description
New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) helps New Yorkers before, during, and after emergencies through preparedness, education, and response. NYCEM is responsible for coordinating citywide emergency planning and response for all types and scales of emergencies. We are staffed by more than 200 dedicated professionals with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, including individuals assigned from other City agencies.
The Response Bureau is responsible for monitoring incidents throughout the City, alerting the public and City agencies, initiating NYCEM response, on-scene coordination, and special event planning and coordination. It is comprised of Watch Command, Field Response Unit, and the Response Support Unit.
The Watch Command unit monitors citywide radio frequencies; local, national, and international media; and weather forecasts 24 hours per day, seven days per week. They function as the central notification point for NYC, transmitting notifications to agencies and Notify NYC messages. Watch Command also dispatches Citywide Interagency Coordinators, deploys the Interagency Communications Vehicle and in support of incident command, dispatches assets, subject matter experts and request additional agency support when necessary.
Public Warning Specialists (PWS) work within Watch Command, NYCEM’s 24/7 Operations Center. PWS’ are responsible for the issuance of Notify NYC messages and activation of FEMA’s
Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) during catastrophic incidents. Reporting to the Director of Public Warning and Public Warning Program Manager, the candidate will:
Prepare and disseminate notifications, alerts, and messages for Notify NYC, the City of New York's official source for information about emergency events and important City services
Provide ongoing system monitoring
Ensure that public safety communications are properly processed
Ensure that data is correctly formatted; Perform quality assurance assessments of data
Perform testing and maintenance of notification systems
Prepare operational reports and analysis
Monitor multiple sources of information related to data telecommunications
Communicate with various agencies and organizations to confirm the scope and impact of data relating to incidents
Support the collection and analysis of data utilizing multiple sources of information, including GIS, to develop reporting systems
Participate in telecommunications testing and coordinate special projects as assigned
Assist with Ready New York presentations to external groups.
**PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
Funding – This position is supported with a federal Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant funding through 8/31/2025 with the possibility of an extension.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer support to be eligible for selection.
For this position, the “Special Note” below in the Minimum Qualification Requirements does apply.
IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS JOB, PLEASE SUBMIT A SEPARATE COVER LETTER IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF THE APPLICATION PORTAL.
Preferred Skills:
Bilingual writer/speaker
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Excellent analytical and organizational skills
Strong technology skills with proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and Power Point
Report writing skills
Ability to work in high stress, fast paced environments
In addition, the selected candidate will be able to demonstrate a proven ability in the following areas, from the agency’s performance management model:
Competencies:
o Knowledge – possesses appropriate subject matter expertise.
o Work Ethic and Productivity – produces consistently high quality, accurate, and on-time deliverables; takes responsibility, is dependable, and accountable, and follows through; is responsive to requests from leadership.
o Strategic Problem Solving and Innovation – is thoughtful and deliberate in approach to solving problems; demonstrates innovation and creative thinking.
o Effective Communication – communication is clear, precise, and timely; understands their audience and display confidence in delivering their message.
o Teamwork – encourage collaboration and motivate others; is able to both lead and follow when necessary; is an active listener and consider a broad range of perspectives.
Studies have shown that women, people of color, and other under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
Qualifications
A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a state's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and six years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following: emergency management, fire, police, or military service, public safety, public health, public administration, urban planning, engineering, or another specialized area to which the appointment is to be made; or
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory full time professional experience in the areas listed in "1" above; or
A master's degree from an accredited college in emergency management, public administration, urban planning, engineering, economics, political science, the physical sciences ,or related field and one year of satisfactory full-time professional experience in the areas listed “1" above, at least two years of which must have been in one of those areas, or another specialized area to which the appointment is to be made.
Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Special Note:
To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, one additional year of professional experience as described in ""1"" above.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
