Disaster Management Specialist Jobs & Job Description

[Shabrina Akter]

Disaster Management Specialists work in teams to restore and remove pollution and contaminants from soil and water, or to address engineering issues after a disaster. Contracts vary from single dwellings to entire countries struck by disaster. Balancing quick action with careful planning, knowledge of the area and scope of the disaster, disaster management specialist teams use a number of channels to undue the damage that was caused. While the job varies wildly from contract to contract, most specialists will have the following roles in common:

Research current case studies and techniques in disaster remediation and restoration
Advocate for the relationship between how humans may impact the natural environment and how disaster may ruin human engineering
Understand the scope and impact of applicable regulatory requirements
Use data-driven rubrics to assess human health after an event
Use data-driven rubrics to evaluate affected ecology in a systematic but holistic way after a damaging event
If no regulations apply, create ad hoc standards to attempt to establish a benchmark and metrics
Act in accordance with best practice for processes, materials and human safety when standards and regulations are advisory but cost may be a concern
Use any existing data to determine the condition of the damage site prior to disaster
Measure anecdotal evidence against data to fully inform the picture of the damage site prior to disaster
Efficiently research how the disaster site was used, and any and all potential contaminants. Rank contaminants by hazard level in order to use remediation resources efficiently.
Classify damage by first, second and third wave in order to consider the full scope of the disaster on humans, environment and engineering
Conduct sampling and chemical analysis in the field
Consider the logistics of disaster ‘spread' and how accessible the site in question is
Conduct field sampling at intervals throughout the project and afterward
Meticulously document steps to restoration
Consult with engineers and stakeholders to plan an effective restoration process
Pump and treat water through chemical processes and filtration
Facilitate public inquiries on land or resource redevelopment
Approve paperwork and permits regarding zoning and other regulatory processes
Consider future uses of the site and whether disaster is likely to affect the site again
Draft designs, schematics and maps of varying types by hand and through computer programs
Senior disaster restoration managers often have a breadth of experience that allows them to effectively and quickly plan projects and teams. While every project and company is different, there are a number of similarities in the role:

Stay transparent and accessible to foster a positive relationship with the community
Work with the community to establish essential services as quickly and safely as possible
Work with authorities to keep market pricing stable in the event of a wide-scale disaster
Request or access reports regarding land usage, environmental impact and human impact
Present information to community agencies and government officials
Use ‘in-situ' tactics for procurement where ethical and appropriate
Be prepared to amend or request exemption from regulations and policies on an as needed basis
Strategize, develop, and manage and document restoration planning and logistics throughout the life of the project
Plan for the emotional impact of natural disaster and how it may affect stakeholder opinion and timeline
Develop and implement phases of the restoration process with knowledge of internal and external stakeholder timelines
Communicate project directions and solutions to stakeholders
Source and review credible maps, photo, video, GPS data, and field investigation reports; interpret data for planning usage

Source: http://www.environmentalscience.org/career/disaster-management-specialist