DES & 911 Coordinator

Vacancy Announcement

We are accepting applications for: DES & 911 Coordinator
Date Posted: February 18, 2025
Closing Date: Open until filled. First review of applications is 03/14/2025.

About the Position and Department: The DES & 911 Coordinator is the department head for our Disaster Emergency Services department. Our DES department is responsible for disaster planning and mitigation for Fallon County. This is a full-time, permanent, forty (40) hours a week position.

Position Overview: This position serves a dual role within the County in the development and implementation of our disaster & emergency services and technical advancement of our 911 services. Prepares written pre-mitigation, emergency & disaster, and dam safety plans. Supports emergency and disaster situations by working in coordination with a variety of local, state, and federal agencies in the development and implementation of these plans.

Required Education and Experience: Employment with Fallon County requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Preferred Education and Experience: Two (2) years previous work experience disaster and emergency planning, law enforcement, fire safety, or another emergency management field is preferred.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Must possess or obtain a Montana driver license within thirty (30) days of employment. This position is subject to pre-employment criminal background review; will utilize a County vehicle and is subject to a motor vehicle driving history review.

Benefits: We are proud to offer an excellent benefit package to our employees including health insurance, ten (10) paid holidays per calendar year, sick leave, vacation leave, and an Employee Assistance Program. This position requires enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System with an established contribution rate for both the employee and the County.

Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

How to Apply:  Applications and a complete job description are available at the Human Resources office, 10 Fallon Avenue, Baker, Montana or online at www.falloncountymt.gov. You may submit your application online on our website; or via mail to: Human Resources Manager, PO Box 846, Baker, Montana, 59313; or email to [email protected]; or stop by the Human Resources office in the Courthouse. Questions may be directed to Commissioner Kevin J. Braun 406-978-2704, Commissioner Roy Rost 406-978-2213, Commissioner Mandi Varner 406-891-0314, or to Julie Straub, HR Manager 406-778-8164.

Fallon County Job Description

Fallon County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, genetic information, pregnancy, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Human Resources.

Job Overview
This position serves a dual role within the County in the development and implementation of our disaster & emergency services and technical advancement of our 911 services. Prepares written pre-mitigation, emergency & disaster, and dam safety plans. Supports emergency and disaster situations by working in coordination with a variety of local, state, and federal agencies in the development and implementation of these plans.

The following essential functions are representative of typical work performed but is not necessarily limited to these specific tasks/areas.

Essential Functions
DES – In accordance with Title 10, Chapter 3 of MCA, this position develops a variety of response plans for emergencies and disasters, including pre-mitigation and dam safety plans. Develops plans for the continuity of operations/continuity of government in the event of a disaster. Revises the Emergency Operations Plan as needed. In the event of an emergency or disaster, this position will coordinate between a variety of local, state, and federal agencies such as search & rescue, fire departments, FEMA, and the National Weather Service as well as utility companies to ensure a continuity of services to the affected area(s). Acts as a liaison with municipalities, local, state, and federal agencies to facilitate plan development, response efforts, and effective use of personnel and equipment. Opens public shelters in coordination with resources such as Red Cross; informs the public of available resources. May assist citizens with relief applications to garner relief funds. Establishes and maintains a list of authorized responders and equipment, including licensure and capacity. Provides information to the public on a variety of disaster situations; this may take the form of PSA’s or handbooks. Provides updates of current weather to the National Weather Service and reports precipitation daily.  Prepares and maintains an inventory of response assets. 

Researches and identifies funding prospects to obtain funding for DES programs and salary. Writes and develops grant proposals; monitors and reports on grants; administers current grants to ensure compliance including reporting to funding agency.   

To promote DES preparedness, organizes various events each year. This position coordinates and attends quarterly meetings for the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Develops the agenda and procures speakers; responsible for all aspects of organizing events, including reserving venues, caterers, inviting participants, and taking meeting minutes. 

Initiates and tracks testing of warning sirens; in the event of a system failure, will inspect equipment and contract necessary repairs. Organizes and promotes Weather Spotter training. Maintains the DES Facebook page as means of accurate communication with the public in the event of a disaster, weather emergency, floods, etc.

Researches and applies new information pertinent to DES; attends training as needed. Completes all clerical tasks involved with the position, including preparation of documents and filing.

911 – Responsible for the technical advancement of 911 services for three (3) counties:  Fallon, Carter, and Wibaux; provides equipment and radios. Inspects communication towers three (3) times per year, ensuring power, battery back-up, fencing, and lighting are in working order and meet regulatory standards. Coordinates and participates in variety of activities in determining placement of new towers, including a propagation study to determine areas of weak coverage, submission of National Environmental Policy Act report, collection of soil samples, and identification of potential tower locations. Implements and maintains an Integrated Public Alert Warning System. Tests panic buttons monthly. Contracts with various entities to maintain 911 tower sites ensuring the efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of sites.

Coordinates and attends a quarterly 911 meeting for the three (3) counties (Fallon, Carter, and Wibaux). Develops the agenda and procures speakers; responsible for all aspects of organizing events, including reserving venues, caterers, and inviting participants. 

Develops and updates the mapping and rural addressing system for all three Counties; this includes new roads, housing, pipelines. Uses variety of resources including maps, aerial photos, and other local offices. Tracks via data base; creates and updates an atlas for each county; provides information to 911 center, first responders, law enforcement, and fire departments.

Researches and identifies funding prospects to obtain funding for 911 programs and salary. Writes and develops grant proposals; monitors and reports on grants; administers current grants to ensure compliance including reporting to funding agency.

Researches and applies new information pertinent to 911; attends training as needed. Completes all clerical tasks involved with the position, including preparation of documents and filing.

Department Administration – Prepares annual budget with the County Commission; directs and controls the expenditure of departmental fund allocations within the constraints of approved budgets. Administers department budget by tracking expenditures. Attends meetings with the Commission and other departments as needed. Submits invoices to the Clerk & Recorder and approves claims in a timely manner to allow expedient payment to vendors.

Competencies
The knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics to perform this work include but are not necessarily limited to: Accountability, Active Listening, Adaptability, Budget, Commitment, Computer Skills, Critical Thinking, Customer Service, Decision-making, Dependability, Detail Orientated, Emergency Response Management, Flexibility, Grant Writing, Incident Command, Initiative, Innovation, Integrity, Interpersonal Relationships, Leadership, Multi-task, Oral Comprehension, Oral and Written Expression, Organization, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Safe Work Practices, Social Media, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork.

This position requires extensive knowledge of and ability to formulate response plans for a variety of man-made, natural, and/or weather-related disasters/emergencies. Strong knowledge of planning emergency, incident command, and crisis management. Ability to document and communicate emergency preparedness plans to all levels of government and the public. Must be able to anticipate hazards and problems that may arise from an emergency to respond effectively. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of all solutions and approaches, as well as the costs and benefits of each action. Identify problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Analyze the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Ability to make difficult decisions in stressful and time-sensitive situations. Possess strong presentation and verbal communication skills to lead meetings. Possess a working knowledge of the County budgeting process; ability to develop and administer a budget.

Must possess strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to learn and utilize department and state specific software. Accurate writing skills, utilizing appropriate grammar and spelling.

Possess excellent customer service and interpersonal skills to resolve questions and concerns using good judgment and discretion; actively seek ways to help citizens. Respond calmly and effectively to stressful situations. Ability to adjust actions in relation to others’ actions. Must listen actively to ensure effective and correct communication; able to interact with variety of personalities. Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand; explain rules and procedures clearly to the public. Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Communicate effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Adapt to changing work routines and demands. As part of our workforce, maintains consistent communication with all County employees, our customers/patrons, and the public via County owned communication systems including but not limited to email, office phone, work cell phone, text, and SMS/IM.

Maintain an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Apply independent initiative, discretion, judgment, and organizational skills to a variety of projects, assignments, and situations. Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Requires ability to organize and prioritize work. Must strive to anticipate work to be done; initiate proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction. Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines; accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities Ability to utilize best practice emergency management and response practices and communicate effectively with other government agencies, law enforcement and fire officials, and the public to coordinate emergency responses.

Safety
Safety is a primary duty and a personal responsibility. County employees are responsible for reading, understanding and following safety rules and procedures as identified within County Policy, our Safety Program as well as at each department/work location/JSA. This position is responsible for wearing PPE as identified in the JSA or when working in areas where there is danger of injury. Responsible for wearing suitable work clothes as determined by the Fallon County Commission. Reports all injuries, hazards and/or near misses utilizing established reporting forms and procedures. Knows the location of first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and other safety devices. Attends all safety meetings including annual training. This position will not perform potentially hazardous tasks or use any hazardous material until properly trained.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment
This position performs work indoors and outdoors, primarily within a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Will perform work outdoors, walking over uneven or rough terrain and may be subject to a variety of inclement weather conditions.

Required Education and Experience
Employment with Fallon County requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Preferred Education and Experience
Two (2) years previous work experience disaster and emergency planning, law enforcement, fire safety, or another emergency management field is preferred. 

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Must possess or obtain a Montana driver license within thirty (30) days of employment. This position is subject to pre-employment criminal background review; will utilize a County vehicle and is subject to a motor vehicle driving history review.

Compensation
Our Fiscal Year 2024-2025 compensation schedule for a DES & 911 Coordinator is as follows:
DES & 911 Coordinator (at hire):                           $27.59 per hour
DES & 911 Coordinator 1 (completion of year 1): $28.20 per hour
DES & 911 Coordinator 2 (completion of year 2): $28.81 per hour
DES & 911 Coordinator 3 (completion of year 3): $29.42 per hour
DES & 911 Coordinator 4 (completion of year 4): $30.04 per hour
DES & 911 Coordinator 5 (completion of year 5): $30.65 per hour

This schedule is reflective of and will be adjusted for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment as approved by the Fallon County Commission.

After completion of the first year of employment, an employee becomes eligible to receive Longevity. Longevity is $0.15 per hour every year, with $0.25 per hour every five years.

Benefits
We are proud to offer an excellent benefit package to our employees including health insurance, ten (10) paid holidays per calendar year, sick leave, vacation leave, and an Employee Assistance Program.

This position requires enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System with an established contribution rate for both the employee and the County.

Position Type/Hours of Work
This is a full-time, permanent, forty (40) hours a week position:  Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one-hour lunch period.

Physical and Environmental Demands
While performing the essential functions of this position, frequently required to sit, stand, walk on uneven surfaces, use hands and fingers, climb or balance, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, speak and hear. May be required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. May be required to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds.  Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.  May be exposed to very loud noise. 

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully; employees are routinely required to address emerging employer requirements in alignment with individual work units and assignments of jobs which may result in additional or a change in duties/functions not identified. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee; it is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer change.