Continuity Program Manager (Emergency Management Program Specialist 4)

State of Washington; Lakewood (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care coverage

Retirement savings plan

Job training opportunities

Job summary

Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division is seeking a Continuity Program Manager for Camp Murray, WA. This role oversees statewide continuity of government and operations, coordinating with state agencies, Tribal Nations, counties, and cities to ensure preparedness and mission continuity.

The role requires strong expertise in continuity planning, emergency management, budgeting, and program management, with telework potential and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Subject matter expertise in continuity planning, response and recovery.
• Experience with continuity of government and continuity of operations.
• Knowledge of budgets, grants, contracts, and public affairs.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, organization and management of a comprehensive continuity program.
• Coordinate Continuity of Government for essential functions before, during and after events.
• Coordinate with ICC leadership for agency continuity plans and annual exercises.
• Serve as SME to inform local governments and tribal representatives.
• Ensure SEOC planning alignment and EMAP compliance.

Skills

Continuity planning

Emergency management

Budgeting

Program management

Public information

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Continuity Program Manager
Emergency Management Program Specialist 4
Camp Murray, WA

Reporting to the Preparedness Section Manager, the Continuity Program Manager is responsible to administer and provide expert-level coordination for statewide continuity of government and continuity of operation activities across all levels and branches of state and local government including state agencies, Tribal Nations, counties, and cities, and in coordination with federal government agencies. This position works under the administrative direction and provides continuity policy and decision-making guidance to EMD's executive management and the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government at all levels. In addition, this position represents EMD in emergency and continuity planning related areas for the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

The state's Emergency Management Division is a civilian (non-military) division of the Washington Military Department.

About the Washington Military Department

Protecting people is our passion. At the Washington Military Department, we combine our unique talents to create safer communities and ensure our neighbors and loved ones can recover from whatever emergency might arise. Our agency unites civilian employees with members of the Washington National Guard, creating a team that is deeply committed to public service. We go home at night knowing that our day-to-day work supports activities that truly make a difference. Whether that's partnering with our communities to prepare for a disaster, leading an emergency response, hiring top-notch talent or supporting at-risk kids at our Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy - the Washington Military Department seeks to safeguard our way of life and those that call Washington home.

To learn more about the Washington Military Department, please visit: www.mil.wa.gov

In addition to job fulfillment, the Washington Military Department offers an excellent benefits package which includes exceptional health care coverage, a retirement savings plan and job training opportunities.

• Serve as the principal subject matter expert and technical expert providing technical assistance, coordination and facilitation of the development, organization and management of a comprehensive continuity program.
• Provide technical assistance, coordination, and facilitation of the development and management of a Continuity of Government (COG) program that addresses how essential government functions and services will continue to be provided before, during, and following events and incidents, including catastrophic incidents.
• Coordinate with the Interagency Continuity Committee (ICC) leadership team for continuity of operations by state agencies and validate each state agency's completion of continuity of operations plans and annual exercises in accordance with state RCWs, executive orders, and directives.
• Local jurisdiction continuity subject matter expert providing information, outreach and education to local government emergency managers, officials, or Tribal representatives regarding continuity of operations and continuity of government.
• Serves in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Planning Section as the continuity planner for response activities, coordinating with affected state agencies, Tribal Nations, local jurisdictions (counties and cities), and federal agencies. Assist to ensure program or section maintains compliance with the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) guidelines and is prepared for regularly scheduled audits.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Option 1:

One year of experience as an Emergency Management Program Specialist 3,

OR

Option 2:

1. Bachelor's degree, AND
2. Five years of professional level experience in continuity of operations, emergency management, homeland security, financial management (grant management, contracting, claims management, budgeting), training/education, public information/affairs, program/project management, scientific environmental analysis/planning, civil/structural engineering, legislative affairs, or urban planning, AND
3. One year of experience in positions responsible for preparing, designing, exercising or reviewing continuity of operations plans, AND

In addition to one of the two options above:

Two years of applied experience in at least two of the following:

• Program management (coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating a project or program having a specific goal to be achieved within a specific time frame).
• Developing, preparing, monitoring, briefing, and evaluating budgets for grants and evaluating grants/contracts for federal, state, local governments, or private entities.
• Conducting research and analysis of policy.
• Operational experience in government or private sector in continuity of operations, emergency preparedness, mitigation or recovery programs.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the education requirement. A Master's degree or Ph.D. degree will substitute for one year of the experience requirement.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge/Experience:

• Subject matter expertise in continuity planning, response and recovery.
• Continuity and emergency management, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery activities.
• Emergency Operations Center or similar operational environment at the program or operational level.

Skills, abilities, and competencies to:

• Develop, prepare, monitor, brief, and evaluate budgets including evaluation or progress versus projected expenditures patterns.
• Develop professional program recommendations for continuity, preparedness, response and recovery activities.
• Research, analyze, understand, and communicate complex interdependent Continuity of Government and/or Continuity of Operations program issues.
• Coordinate policy and executive issues across affected agencies, internal program staff, and stakeholders.
• Provide program specific information, public education, and emergency preparedness training to internal and external stakeholders.
• Actively demonstrate a commitment to learning and growth.
• Demonstrate a willingness to take action to understand and meet the needs of others.
• Use Microsoft Office software programs for completion of variety of special reports, to include development of budgets, grant requests, training materials, exercise documents, letters, program-specific materials, and related support documentation.

Compensation:

Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Investigation: Must successfully complete the appropriate background checks required for employment. Must be willing to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files. The processing of background checks can take up to six months post-employment. Failure to successfully pass a background check may be cause for termination.

Driver's License:

1. Valid to drive in the State of Washington.
2. Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act. This is required for base access and will be required upon hire.

Military Facility: Willingness to work on a Military Controlled Access Installation. Camp Murray utilizes the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) for entry to the installation. Must meet access requirements / background check which can be found in Camp Murray Access Requirements Policy (Unified Policy No. 18-01).

Union Shop Provision: This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Work Hours: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day, or a four-day per week schedule, 10 hours per day, with either Mondays or Fridays off. The actual work hours will be established between the employee and supervisor and will start no earlier than 6:00am and end no later than 6:00pm.

Telework: This position may be eligible for some telework. The incumbent will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance between remote and in-person work based on operational need. Reporting to the workstation for work activities and participating in in-person meetings is required.

Emergency Assignment: Upon activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) or Joint Field Office (JFO), incumbent may be required to work in an alternate location with rotating shifts, including weekends and evenings, in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment.

Travel: Requires the ability and willingness to independently travel throughout the state, sometimes overnight, to attend meetings and conduct public outreach and training.

The Washington Military Department is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruitment Section of State Human Resources at: Email: [e-mail], Call: [phone], or 711.