Putnam County, New York is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Commissioner of Emergency Services. Applicants must meet the below required minimum qualifications and listed special requirements. The Commissioner of Emergency Services is appointed by the County Executive subject to confirmation by the County Legislature.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: This is highly responsible managerial, administrative and technical work of a complex nature involving planning, supervising and implementing operations necessary to effectively mobilize and safeguard the community in the event of natural and man-made disasters, fires and other emergencies requiring the services of emergency response personnel. Responsibilities include coordinating and administrating mutual aid, Fire and EMS training programs, natural disaster and civil defense operations and centralized communications system. Additionally, incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, equipping and training personnel, administering local natural disaster and civil defense programs, as well as planning and supervising County programs relating to E911, the CAD System, and Emergency Medical Services, including Advanced Life Support activities and performance. Work is performed under general direction of the County Executive and in accordance with State and Federal laws, regulations and guidelines. Performs related work as required.

SOME TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Develops, administers and updates a County Mutual Aid Plan for Fire & Emergency Medical Service response;
• Plans programs to carry out Emergency Preparedness responsibilities required by State & Federal laws, including participation in Power Authority and Indian Point drills;
• Insures proper emergency response to all natural and man-made emergencies including those of enemy attack and acts of terrorism;
• Maintains county inventory of plans and equipment required for emergency preparedness program;
• Promotes programs of Fire Prevention, access to proper pre‑hospital care and emergency preparedness through educational programs and distribution of printed materials;
• Monitors and administers State Fire & EMS Training programs, including scheduling and hiring of instructional staff;
• Acts as liaison between County Legislature, Fire Advisory Board, various Fire & EMS Agencies, with the County Executive and other County officials;
• Oversees countywide emergency communications system, assigning frequencies, purchasing equipment, insuring compliance with applicable FCC regulations;
• Assumes duties as Incident Commander when acting as Regional Fire Administrator or during declared Emergencies;
• Meets regularly with EMS and Fire Authorities relative to training, procedures, protocols and regional requirements;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either

a) Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years high-level experience in fire and emergency services, disaster management, emergency planning and preparedness and/or emergency operations, including supervisory experience; or

b) Associate degree and nine (9) years of the above-described experience; or

c) Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and twelve (12) years of the above-described experience; or

d) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) training, ICS-400 level, within one (1) year of appointment.

2. Certification as a New York State or National Registry EMT or higher medical training at time of appointment is preferred.

3. This position is considered to be a public officer. Pursuant to Article 3 of the NYS Public Officers law, the holder of this position must be a United States citizen and a resident of Putnam County, NY.

SUBSTITUTION NOTE: Military service may substitute for up to three (3) years of the above-described experience on a year-for-year basis.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SALARY RANGE: $113,000 - $125,000 per year

SCHEDULE: Monday to Friday, On call

BENEFITS:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

APPLICATION: 

Applications and resumes may be submitted to the Putnam County Personnel Department by mail or email:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Putnam County Personnel Department

110 Old Route 6, Bldg 3

Carmel NY, 10512