Hazardous Materials Program Manager

Job Description

Position Summary 

The HazMat Program Manager is a full-time position within the Philadelphia Managing Director’s Office of Emergency Management (MDO-OEM). This position is responsible for improving the City of Philadelphia’s preparedness for hazardous materials-related events through coordination across industry, government, and the public. The HazMat Program Manager leads the City’s Tier II compliance program, facilitates the Philadelphia Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), coordinates hazardous materials planning and response activities, and serves as a subject-matter expert with OEM and external stakeholders.  

Candidates should possess a strong desire to work in a team-oriented, fast-paced, flexible, and professional public service environment, and a willingness to serve the public in the sixth-largest city in the nation. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, solutions-oriented, easily adapts, has diverse project management experience, anticipates needs, and brings a robust set of soft skills including integrity, diplomacy, communication, and persuasion. 

Essential Functions 

Tier II Compliance Program 

• Oversee annual collection and review of Tier II chemical storage reports and Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) submitted by regulated facilities. 

• Manage and maintain the Philadelphia Tier II Reporting Database, including report certification, plan cataloguing, and facility correspondence. 

• Prepare and issue invoices; collect, deposit, and track facility fees; and follow up with delinquent or non-compliant facilities. 

• Develop and implement a structure for processing downstream hazardous materials notifications and related records management. 

• Supervise part-time Tier II Support Staff and interns supporting program operations 

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) 

• Facilitate quarterly LEPC meetings in partnership with the committee co-chair, including agenda development, logistics, recordkeeping, and follow-up. 

• Identify and coordinate ongoing training and presentation opportunities to support continuous member learning. 

• Plan and organize an annual LEPC preparedness seminar engaging industry, government, and community stakeholders. 

• Maintain and periodically update LEPC bylaws, policies, and standard operating procedures. 

• Manage the LEPC information line and coordinate responses to public inquiries. 

Hazardous Materials Planning 

• Conduct annual updates to the City’s Hazardous Materials Response Plan, coordinating with the Philadelphia Fire Department HazMat Unit, PA DEP, EPA, USCG, and other partners. 

• Maintain EPCRA §303 crosswalk documentation and ensure LEPC planning requirements are formally acknowledged and recorded. 

• Facilitate joint hazardous materials planning activities, to include trainings and exercises, with regional, state, and federal agencies. 

• Coordinate with PFD HMAU and other partners on the review and validation of facility-specific off-site emergency response plans. 

• Develop and maintain other related plans, resources, and tools to support a robust hazardous materials planning portfolio. 

Facility and Community Engagement 

• Provide technical assistance to regulated facilities, including individual support and group training opportunities. 

• Support facility engagement with available technical assistance resources. 

• Identify facilities with compliance needs and connect them to appropriate support services. 

• Develop and disseminate in partnership with OEM’s community engagement program under the Community Right-to-Know framework, integrating chemical hazard-specific content into existing OEM outreach activities. 

Response Monitoring and Analysis 

• Receive, catalogue, and track hazardous materials release notifications and NRC reports. 

• Monitor hazardous materials incidents to identify best practices and areas for operational improvement. 

• Conduct after-action reviews for significant events as directed by OEM leadership. 

• Implement and maintain internal release follow-up tracking systems to support trend analysis and planning. 

Grants and Program Administration 

• Identify, apply for, and manage grants related to hazardous materials preparedness and LEPC activities. 

• Track program deliverables, maintain required documentation, and prepare reports for grant compliance. 

• Participate in Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, drills, and exercises. 

• Represent OEM on inter-agency committees and working groups related to hazardous materials preparedness. 

• All other duties as assigned. 

Other projects as assigned 

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

COMPETENCIES  

The ideal candidate:  

• Exhibits high emotional intelligence and relies on interpersonal, leadership, diplomacy, and negotiation skills to accomplish work.  

• Communicates clearly and thoroughly in writing and speaking, anticipating the needs of their audience.  

• Pays keen attention to details to ensure standards are met, as well as find replicable best practices and to conduct root-cause analysis for improvement planning.  

• Produces projects on-time and within scope based on a stated mission or objective and without significant oversight.  

• Embraces challenges and provides viable solutions to project impediments.  

• Exercises discretion to maintain confidentiality and in navigating sensitive topics with different audiences.  

• Can apply technology to accomplish work, including Microsoft Office Suite, mapping software, web-based platforms for information management and display, and other mediums like audio-visual to convey information.  

• Applies equity and inclusion lenses in all projects.  

Knowledge 

• Federal, state, and local hazardous materials laws and regulations, including EPCRA, SARA Title III, and Pennsylvania Act 165. 

• Tier II reporting requirements and emergency planning processes. 

• Principles of emergency management, including ICS, NIMS, and the National Response Framework. 

• Structure and function of Local Emergency Planning Committees. 

• Hazardous materials incident response operations and terminology. 

• Grant management and public-sector program administration. 

Skills 

• Skill in project and program management, including tracking multiple concurrent workstreams. 

• Skill in facilitating meetings and coordinating multi-stakeholder processes. 

• Skill in clear and professional written and verbal communication. 

• Skill in organizing, managing, and analyzing data and program records. 

• Skill in developing planning documents, reports, and technical correspondence. 

Abilities 

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with regulated industry, government agencies, and community partners. 

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in program implementation. 

• Ability to adapt to evolving priorities and emergency management demands. 

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently. 

Qualifications

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, environmental science, public administration, or a related field. Relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. 

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in emergency management, hazardous materials regulation, environmental compliance, or a closely related field preferred. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with EPCRA, Tier II reporting, or LEPC administration. 

• Familiarity with hazardous materials incident response operations. 

• FEMA Professional Development Series or ICS certifications (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800). 

• Experience with grants management in a public-sector setting. 

We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply. 

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND CERITIFICATION  

• Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six months of hire.  

• Successful completion of FEMA Independent Study courses (IS 100, 200, 700, and 800) within the first month of appointment.  

• Candidates will have access to secure public safety information. All selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation as a condition of placement in this position.  

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx