Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

JOB TITLE:                          Director, Training, Exercises, and Evaluation

SALARY RANGE:                $125,000-$140,000

HAY POINTS:                      805

DEPT/DIV:                          Safety and Security

SUPERVISOR:                     Deputy Chief, Emergency Management

LOCATION:                         2 Broadway New York, NY 10004*

*This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week.  New hires are eligible to apply for telework 30 days after their effective date of hire.

SUMMARY:

With latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the Director of Training, Exercises & Evaluation is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the emergency training and exercises program, including designing, and implementing the MTA enterprise-wide training and exercise cycle, as well as supporting the operational agencies as they conduct training and exercises of their own.  In addition, the position is responsible for overseeing the evaluation of all preparedness and response activities, including development of After Action Reports (AARs) for all major emergencies at the MTA. In addition, the Director will have broad responsibilities for ensuring all projects are part of the larger preparedness cycle in which we assess, plan, train, exercise and evaluate. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the process of creating and executing MTA-wide exercises, including:
  • Annual Coastal Storm Tabletop
  • Annual Winter Storm Tabletop
  • Hazard-Specific Exercises, including full scale exercises
• Manage the process of creating and delivering MTA-wide training, including:
  • Annual Coastal Storm Training
  • Annual Winter Storm Training
  • Hazard-Specific Training
  • All Hazards training
  • Develop After Action Reports (AARs) following major emergencies and Summary of Key Issues (SKIs) following minor events.
• Conduct at least one exercise per year to test the emergency preparedness plan.   This could range from a tabletop exercise to a full-scale exercise with all agency and external agency coordination, with multiple command centers. External agencies may include but are not limited to New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), New York City Police Department (NYPD), New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), etc. Real world emergencies may be counted towards this exercise.  Conduct at least two scenario-based training (e.g., weather-based, pandemic, counterterrorism, etc.) per year for executive leadership.
• Develop, participate in, and maintain a comprehensive, authority-wide Incident Command System (ICS) structure to use during emergency incidents and events.  During emergencies, perform designated ICS roles and corresponding functions.
• Determine highest priority needs and the best way to meet those needs with existing resources.  Begin unit assessment activities to scope out additional staffing requirements for the unit.  Begin development of related items in support of additional staffing requests in future years.  
• Direct the creation and implementation of training and exercise activities across the MTA. Using the MTA All Hazards Plan as the foundational document, supervise the development of an MTA-specific emergency response training module that describes how the principles of emergency management and the Incident Command System (ICS) are applied at the MTA. 
• Supervise the development of the annual multi-year training and exercise plan (MYTEP), including working with the Director of Emergency Planning to determine the sequence and timing of which plans to train on and exercise over a multiple year timeframe.
• Provide training, exercise and evaluation guidance and direction to emergency management staff in each operating agency and supporting division, including but not limited to (NYCT Subways, NYCT Buses / MTA Buses, Paratransit, LIRR, MNR, B&T, MTA PD, MTA Security, MTA IT, MTA HQ, and MTA C&D). 
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Must have knowledge in the development of training programs, exercise conduct, and evaluation methodologies.
• Must have knowledge and practical experience with Incident Command System (ICS), including experience responding to a real-world emergency.
• Must have experience managing multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially related to writing, editing, and proofreading.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact well with external agencies. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a high-profile, high-pressure environment.
• The incumbent must pass an MTA security background investigation.
• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
• A high level of attention to detail is required.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Homeland Security, or a related field from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in a position(s) of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, project management, business continuity, public transportation, public administration, or experience in a large corporate or government organization with responsibility for producing actionable policies and plans. 

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Completion of the U.S. DHS Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local (NYC) emergency management best practices and familiarity with training, exercise, and evaluation tools.
• Strong preference for a minimum of two years of leadership and/or supervisory experience.

GENERAL:

• May need to work outside of regular work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends).
• Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.
• May need to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.