Special Operations Training, Exercise & Response Lead

Special Operations Training, Exercise, and Response Specialist

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person. The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve. Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs The Special Operations Training, Exercise, and Response Specialist serves as the lead for developing, executing, and maintaining the OCME's disaster response training and exercise program. This includes shaping training curricula, identifying development opportunities, managing a strategic exercise schedule, creating supporting materials, and maintaining participation records in compliance with agency and city requirements. The Special Operations Training, Exercise, and Response Specialist should be a proactive, self-motivated professional who can work cooperatively to represent the unit across technical disciplines and must be available after-hours for complex or disaster response operations and to assist in resolving operational matters, as needed. This position also functions as the Training Coordinator for the Medical Examiner Special Operations Response Team (MESORT) an interdisciplinary team deployed during mass fatality incidents and complex fatality management scenarios. In this capacity, the Specialist supports the Assistant Director of Special Operations by designing and delivering training programs, evaluating ongoing preparedness, and performing disaster management duties during activations. The Special Operations Training, Exercise, and Response Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting the Office of Chief Medical Examiner's (OCME) emergency response and hazard mitigation initiatives, particularly following a mass fatality incident or other public health emergency. In alignment with established activation criteria, the Coordinator is responsible for assessing and characterizing the incident to inform recommendations on whether to activate the Agency Mass Fatality Management (MFM) Plan. This role includes providing strategic guidance on Fatality Management (FM) objectives. Additionally, the Coordinator leads the coordination and execution of field operations involving multiple fatalities and potential CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive) hazards. The Coordinator ensures the implementation of hazardous materials safety protocols and oversees decontamination procedures to safeguard personnel and maintain the integrity of forensic operations, ensuring OCME remains prepared and resilient in the face of mass fatality incidents and other public health emergencies. Responsibilities include:

• Participate in and/or direct all aspects of OCME's disaster response and preparedness to include scene response and processing, disaster morgue operations, family assistance center (FAC) preparedness and deployment, continuity of operations planning (COOP), and operations center management
• Conduct incident assessments to inform activation decisions for the Agency Mass Fatality Management (MFM) Plan and support strategic planning during complex fatality management or COOP scenarios.
• Manage hazardous materials operations, including contaminated decedent handling, forensic autopsy support, and interagency coordination for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) events.
• Enforce and implement hazardous materials safety protocols, including scene control, donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE), and use of respiratory protection systems such as SCBA, APR, PAPR, and supplied air systems.
• Oversee and direct agency logistics, fleet, and transportation services related to preparedness and response, to include maintaining, operating and deploying emergency response equipment, supplies and vehicles.
• Develop and deliver targeted training programs to support readiness for MESORT members and agency staff, focusing on mass fatality management, hazmat safety, and incident operations. Operate and train staff on advanced scientific detection tools, including 5-gas meters, PIDs, and radiation meters, and perform field testing of unknown substances on decedents to assess risk to OCME personnel.
• Design and facilitate HSEEP-compliant exercises, including tabletop, functional, and full-scale drills with OCME personnel and interagency partners, aligned with the agency's emergency plans and COOP objectives.
• Deliver hands-on and classroom training in hazmat operations, including PPE use, scene safety, and forensic considerations during disaster response.
• Create and maintain training curricula for contaminated decedent handling, decontamination, and CBRNE response, incorporating operational lessons learned and evolving best practices.
• Maintain training records and documentation, including attendance rosters, logistics, records, and vendor deliverables in accordance with agency and City requirements.
• Develop After Action Reports (AARs) and Improvement Plans (IPs) following incidents and exercises; support corrective actions and readiness benchmarks.
• Conduct internal readiness assessments and support training gap analysis and continuous improvement strategies.
• Prepare and deliver reports, presentations, and briefings summarizing training outcomes, assessments, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Provide 24/7/365 availability to respond to urgent matters of the division and agency, including incidents and participation in the agency's MESORT and disaster response and on-call.
• Collaborate with emergency planners to align training and exercises with Continuity of Operations (COOP) and agency emergency plans.
• Represent OCME in citywide planning efforts, interagency meetings, and task forces.
• Coordinate with public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders and oversee technical consultants involved in planning and training efforts.
• Support procurement, grant management, and reporting related to emergency preparedness and response activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support agency emergency operations and special projects

SPECIAL NOTE: Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing. This position has been identified as essential. During emergency events, essential positions may require 24-hour availability. WORK AUTHORIZATION: Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. Office of Chief Medical Examiner does not provide sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including STEM/OPT visas. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.