County of Sonoma Job Openings
In response to the October 2017 wildfires which impacted the region, the County of Sonoma is committed to establishing a comprehensive, community alert and warning program which incorporates clear policy, innovative technology, real-time situation awareness, and robust community engagement. The Community Alert and Warning Program Manager will play an integral role in spearheading and coordinating these efforts.
Currently, the County utilizes the following systems for public alert warning and dissemination:
- SoCoAlert – An opt-in system utilizing commercial telephone, text, and email notification
- Nixle – An opt-in system utilizing commercial telephone, text, and email notification
- IPAWS – The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, operated by FEMA, which serves as a gateway to activation of the two national public warning systems, the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts
The Community Alert and Warning Program Manager will be responsible for assessing the County's existing community alert and warning program and systems for effectiveness, identifying service gaps, and recommending and implementing enhancements; developing emergency notification and communication standards, protocols, and processes; managing vendor services and contracts; coordinating system access and training for authorized users; and initiating plans to integrate the County's program and system with the emergency functions of the other government agencies. In addition, the Community Alert and Warning Program Manager will assist the County in identifying areas that are at risk for hazards and threats to the communication system, provide community education, and determine how to integrate community alert and warning systems with other technologies.
This vital position will also have responsibility for engaging the public and stakeholder organizations, participating in advisory committees and work groups, and representing the County before all levels of governing bodies to create a comprehensive emergency alert and warning program that benefits the County of Sonoma.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- A four-year degree in emergency management, risk communications, or public safety
- Significant experience implementing and maintaining community emergency alert and warning program systems
- In-depth knowledge of emergency-related information technology, software, and hardware
- Experience collaborating with local, state, and federal organizations to implement emergency services programs
- Political acumen and an ability to effectively manage communications with elected and appointed officials
- Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
- Bilingual English/Spanish skills are desirable
Enjoy a rare and compelling array of scenic, recreational, and geographic characteristics that include over 200 award winning wineries, inspiring coastline and beaches, the vibrant Russian River, and majestic redwoods. Encompassing over one million acres of land and water, rich with agriculture, parks, outdoor recreation, lakes, and open spaces, the County offers a wide variety of art and music festivals, farmers' markets, and concert venues. It is also home to fine educational institutions, including Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University, and local schools that rank considerably higher within the state as a whole. Sonoma County is an increasingly diverse region. The Hispanic population has grown by almost 230 percent within the last 25 years, and is approximately 27% of the population. In 2016, slightly over half of Sonoma County's population was between 25 and 64 years old; however, between 2007 and 2016 the fastest growing age range in the county were those aged 65 to 74.
As a general law county, Sonoma is governed by a five member Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors is fully committed to a mission and vision which value high quality services that support and enrich the community, strong leadership, engaged citizen participation, information transparency and accuracy, and efficient and fiscally sustainable government. The County Administrator leads a team of dedicated department heads who work collaboratively to address and strategically prepare for County initiatives and challenges. Sonoma County encompasses 1,600 square miles and is home to approximately 500,000 residents. The County has 28 departments, agencies, and special districts, and employs over 4,000 regular employees with an annual budget of approximately $1.63 billion for fiscal year 2018-2019.
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to a competitive total compensation package including:
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $1,700 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- Significant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan options
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include a Bachelor's Degree in emergency management, public safety, business or public administration, or a closely related field, and three years of technical or operational experience in a governmental civil defense, disaster, and/or emergency management program with experience specific to community alert and warning systems.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable Knowledge of: the laws, rules, and regulations governing public communications and warnings; emergency warning services and systems; emergency management best practices and federal and state emergency services programs; principles of radio communication system design and management; project management; training methods and techniques for information systems concepts and procedures to non-technical users.
Working knowledge of: principles and practices of information technology, software, and hardware; purchasing policies and procedures; budgetary practices and controls; training and oversight to other employees; research methods and practices; office procedures, methods, and equipment; English grammar, usage, and syntax; and conflict resolution; relevant federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Ability to: plan, organize, and coordinate multi-faceted activities with a variety of entities; manage projects; manage and monitor a complex technology system; remain current on trends and adapt and plan for changes; analyze and evaluate information, problems, and situations and develop an effective course of action; identify training needs and to develop and coordinate the presentation of a comprehensive training to a diverse audience; establish and maintain effective working relationships; lead and train other staff; negotiate, motivate, persuade; prepare clear and concise written documents and reports; analyze information; work under significant pressure, be subject to extended work hours, and be on-call in case of
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.