Training Systems Technician

The Training Systems Technician is responsible for coordinating the training systems for the Public Safety Training Campus (PSTC), which will include, but not be limited to oversight of props and equipment for training at the Academic Building and Tactical Village, overseeing the maintenance and servicing of training equipment, training materials, prop logistics, and the daily operations of the training systems and ensuring that all training props and training structures are properly maintained at all times. Supports the mission of the Department of Emergency Services by promoting and assisting in providing safety and security to Chester County citizens so they can work, live and grow in a healthy and safe community.

• All Department of Emergency Services employees are essential personnel and may be required to work during non-business hours for extended periods of time. Essential employee duties may involve assignments within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), deployment to a field location, or other duties as required during periods of emergencies or training/exercise.  Emergency assignments may be performed under adverse conditions, continue for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks, and may require travel. 

• Performs general maintenance of facilities, equipment, and systems in accordance with diagrams, operations manuals and manufacturer’s specifications.
• Coordinates preventive maintenance and periodic upgrades to the Academic Building and Tactical Village including the Burn Building, Drill Tower, and other training props.
• Ensures the safe operation of all training equipment and systems, at all times.
• Oversees and participates in the servicing, cleaning, and maintenance of training equipment and systems, prop fixtures, and other equipment associated with the training systems.
• Inspects grounds, buildings, and equipment daily, before each training evolution, noting unsafe conditions, need for repair and replacement, and prepares reports accordingly.
• Conducts and assists with general maintenance at the PSTC, as needed.
• Requests and schedules repairs and maintenance on props and equipment as needed.
• Maintains a professional workplace at all times and ensures the highest degree of customer service skills are utilized without compromise.
• Enforces PSTC fire and safety rules and procedures to ensure a safe work environment, eliminating any threats to self or others.
• Plans and conducts a preventive maintenance program.
• Collaborates with managers to ensure cost effective and proper care of campus facilities.
• Trains PSTC employees on proper use and care of props and equipment utilized for training at the campus. 
• Maintains adequate levels of prop supplies and maintains inventory and use records.
• Supervises and participates in the setting up and arrangement of props and training systems for training sessions and other special functions.
• Assists with training events, simulations, and exercises with public safety agencies.
• Supervises and participates in the setting up and arrangement of rooms for meetings and other special functions.
• Coordinates the acquisition of training equipment and supplies.
• Maintains knowledgeable of evolving trends in public safety training.
• Attends meetings, training sessions and conferences, as required.
• Coordinates activities with staff members, as needed.
• Assists with the Emergency Operations Center’s (EOC) activations and drills, as needed.
• Remains flexible with availability to assist with training, equipment concerns/issues and/or immediate needs of the PSTC.

Education/Experience
Required:

• High school diploma;
• Two or more years of job-related experience; OR
• Any equivalent combination of training, education and experience.

Preferred:

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university, in Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field;
• Three or more years of job-related experience, with preference for roles with volunteer organizations or within public safety operations.

Other Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and abilities
Strong demonstrated abilities required:

• Leadership skills
• Presentation skills
• Public speaking skills
• Verbal and written skills
• Listening and Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Customer Service skills
• Analytical/Problem Solving skills
• Organizational skills
• Time Management Skills
• Project Management skills
• Documentation skills
• Prioritization/Multi-tasking skills
• Motivated/Works Independently
• Team Player
• Flexible/Adaptable
• Detail Oriented/Accurate
• Sound Analysis/Judgement skills (firm and unbiased)
• Confidentiality
• Honesty, Integrity and Professionalism
• Strong work ethic and willingness to learn new tasks

Also required:

• Considerable knowledge of the basic methods, practices, tools, materials, and work standards related to the maintenance of training systems and equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of the occupational hazards and desirable safety precautions of the work.

• Ability to interface effectively with all levels of county government, public safety agencies, DES, employees, instructors, officials and other stakeholders.
• Ability to acquire efficiency of specialized software to include but not limited to, Training Props, Simulators, Learning Management System, etc.
• Ability to follow protocols to handle and resolve recurring problems.
• Ability to use common sense understanding to carry out written and verbal instructions.
• Occasional requirement to work extended hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Occasional requirement to attend meetings on and off site at various hours.
• Valid driver’s License is required.

Preferred:

• Advanced general maintenance skills.
• General knowledge and understanding of Chester County policies and procedures.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the Department of Emergency Services policies and procedures.

Computer/technical skills

• Intermediate Office Suite skills, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Explorer and PowerPoint.
• Basic working knowledge of audio/visual technology.
• Capacity to become proficient in training prop simulators.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and work with machinery/equipment for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hands/fingers for typing and operating standard office equipment.
• Ability to hear and speak clearly and recognize and identify audible and visual signals.
• Close visual acuity to read computer screens and written documents and perform office work, distance visual acuity at 20 feet or more to manage training grounds, color visual acuity to identify and distinguish colors (IE. smoke and hose colors) and peripheral visual acuity for safety while working during training or at an incident scene.
• Occasional driving, working on ladders, reaching or working with arms above shoulder height, bending, twisting, or rotating at the waist, kneeling, stooping, crouching, squatting, crawling, climbing stairs, and pushing, lifting, or carrying items up to 50 pounds. 

Work environment

• Work shifts (start and stop times) vary, as needed.
• Noise level may vary from quiet to moderate to loud to uncommon level, depending on assignment.
• Occasional exposure to uncommon odors.
• Rapidly changing work assignments.
• Indoor and outdoor environment – duties may be performed in all types of weather conditions, including extreme weather, as the role involves producing and simulating real life emergency scenarios to prepare emergency repsonders.
• Required to operate a motor vehicle, including in hazardous driving conditions.
• Occasional travel is required.

Other Duties

• This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities required for this job.        Responsibilities may be assigned or changed at any time.

Additional information

• Relevant background checks, clearance, physicals, drug tests and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

             Required for this role:

• PATCH – Criminal History
• Child Line
• FBI Fingerprinting
• Drivers History
• All DES employees must successfully complete the following FEMA course within 6 months of hire:
  • IS100 – Introduction to the Incident Command System
  • IS200 – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
  • IS700– National Incident Management System, An Introduction
  • IS800 – National Response Framework, An Introduction
  • IS2200 – Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions

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