State EMS Communications Specialist (Disaster Preparedness Program Representative 1) (NY HELPS) - 52512, 52513, 52515, 52516, 52517 at New York State Department of Health

Description

Duties Description

The Communications Specialist (Disaster Preparedness Program Representative 1) serves as a frontline operations agent within the State Medical Operations Coordination Center (SMOCC), the Department’s 24/7 hub for statewide health system situational awareness and emergency coordination. Working under the direct supervision of the SMOCC Duty Officer, the Communications Specialist maintains real-time visibility of health care system status, supports resource coordination, and manages the flow of information during disasters, system disruptions, and major incidents.

Communications Specialists monitor incident activity, validate and disseminate reports, assist with patient movement coordination, and provide timely updates to Department leadership and partner agencies. The position ensures operational continuity by maintaining communication systems, data feeds, and documentation essential to statewide response operations. The role requires the ability to manage simultaneous data streams, prioritize events in real time, and maintain steady communication with internal and external partners. Errors or delays may affect life safety or disrupt statewide response coordination, requiring judgment, composure, and precision under pressure.

Major Functions And Associated Duties

Call Intake and Initial Triage: Receives and evaluates incoming calls and notifications from health care facilities, EMS agencies, and the public; collects essential information using established scripts and protocols; documents call details in case management systems; determines response pathways and escalates issues to Duty Officers and partner agencies as appropriate.

Situational Awareness and Analysis: Monitors live operational data from hospitals, EMS systems, and Department-regulated facilities; identifies disruptions, capacity concerns, and emerging incidents; verifies incoming reports; prepares concise situational updates; and supports the development of briefings and situation reports for leadership decision-making.

Operational Communications and Coordination: Facilitates real-time communication among hospitals, EMS agencies, and response partners; confirms report accuracy; tracks response actions; maintains a shared operational picture using multiple communication platforms; supports urgent notification processes; and ensures complete, accurate communication logs.

Emergency Response and Resource Support: Assists in coordinating emergency medical resource deployment during incidents and planned events; tracks the availability and status of personnel, vehicles, and equipment; supports Duty Officers in executing incident-specific coordination plans; and ensures timely information exchange between field units and Department leadership.

Administration, Readiness, and Continuous Improvement: Conducts pre-shift checks of communications and data systems; participates in drills, training, and exercises; assists with updates to procedures, reference materials, and protocols; contributes to after-action reviews and quality improvement activities; and supports continuous operational enhancement of the SMOCC.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Permanent Transfer Candidates: Current NYS employee with one or more years of permanent or contingent-permanent, competitive service at or above a Grade 12 and eligible for transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.

Non Competitive via NY HELPS: *Four years of emergency management experience coordinating and implementing emergency management and disaster preparedness programs; preparation or modification of disaster plans; preparing, modifying, and presenting of disaster educational training and/or exercises; gathering and analyzing information to produce briefings or reports or to make timely and effective incident response decisions; representing an agency or organization in an Emergency Operations Center or leadership position on the Incident Command System; and managing or supervising logistics operations during a major emergency or disaster by overseeing the distribution or staging of equipment and supplies.

• An associate degree in a related field can substitute for two years of specialized experience; a bachelor’s in a related field degree can substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree in a related field can substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate in a related field can substitute for six years of experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications: Certifications / Licenses: ICS-100, ICS-200, and IS-700 required or obtainable within six months of appointment; NFPA 1061 or APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator I/II certification (or equivalent) preferred; Emergency Medical Technician certification preferred but not required.

Experience: At least one year of experience in emergency management, public health, or healthcare operations preferred; Experience using incident management or dispatch systems desirable.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities: Knowledge of emergency communication, incident coordination, and healthcare response systems; Ability to manage multiple information feeds and prioritize concurrent events; Strong written and verbal communication skills for interagency coordination; Proficiency with operational databases, radio systems, and emergency management platforms; Ability to maintain focus and make accurate, timely decisions in high-stress environments.

Additional Comments

Health Emergency Management Statement: All Division of State Emergency Medical Services staff are expected to participate in emergency management activities as part of their roles. While not all positions require regular deployment to disaster sites, all employees may be subject to 24/7 recall for emergency operations. This may involve irregular work hours, duties outside of the official position description, and assignments at locations other than the designated duty station. Travel in support of emergency operations may be extensive (lasting from days to weeks), with little advance notice, and may involve relocation to sites with physically demanding and challenging operational conditions.

This position is part of the NYS HELPS program. No examination is required.

This position may require travel throughout New York State including overnights to areas not served by public transportation.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...
  
  

The NYS Department of Health is committed to making New York a safer, healthier, and more equitable place to live. Understanding health equity, social determinants of health and health disparities is critical to accomplish our goal of eliminating health disparities. For more information on the NYS Department of Health’s Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan, please visit: https://health.ny.gov/commissioner/index.htm

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact by phone 518-486-1812 or email [email protected] to make a request.

NYS Department of Health does not participate in E-Verify and does not sponsor visa applications.

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.