Deputy Manager, Wildfire Command Center

Xcel Energy; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

HSA (if enrolled)

Job summary

Xcel Energy in Denver seeks a WCC Management Specialist to oversee the Wildfire Command Center, set work schedules, train staff, and coordinate with PSPS and cross‑functional teams. You will monitor wildfire activity, manage data presentation, and ensure SOPs are up to date for effective decision making.

The role requires extensive experience in emergency management, strong communication, and the ability to operate under pressure while collaborating across the organization.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in emergency or disaster management, fire science, homeland security or related field or equivalent education and experience.
• 8+ years of experience in incident, or emergency management.
• Strong verbal/written communication and presentation skills.
• Strong ability to work across organization boundaries and influence others.
• Strong investigative, analysis, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills.
• A valid state driver’s license is required.
• Knowledge and experience with NIMS, ICS, EOC, and IMT operations.
• Self-directed and comfortable navigating ambiguity.
• Ability to work well across teams in high stress environments.
• Ability to build relationships and manage multiple opinions.
• Ability to understand complex technical and/or business information.
• Ability to define and manage internal projects and milestones.
• Bachelor's or Advanced degree in Emergency or Disaster Management is desirable.
• Dispatch Center, Emergency Management, Wildfire, and Energy Sector related professional certifications are desirable.
• Experience in Wildfire Response is desirable.
• Experience in Energy Sector at a large Western utility provider desirable.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop partnerships, build and maintain external relationships with emergency management and wildfire partners.
• Train and develop company personnel on WCC operations and emergency management concepts.
• Monitor wildfire information and identify and fill knowledge gaps for wildfire situational awareness.
• Provide oversight of training for staff and personnel assigned to the incident management team positions that coordinate with the WCC.
• Plan and coordinate Wildfire Mitigation and Response program activities.
• Maintain familiarity with specialized software, tools and processes.
• Develop and maintain Wildfire and WCC response plans, playbooks, SOPs and job aids.
• Serve as a key stakeholder for Leadership and business areas on WCC operations, PSPS and Wildfire events.
• Participation in the Planning Section of EOC or IMT during exercises and incidents.
• Routinely communicate with external partners about Wildfire Mitigation strategy and WCC functionality.
• Design and facilitate training and exercises per HSEEP for WCC operations.
• Engage in state/county/federal meetings and external exercises; monitor performance and improvements.
• Ensure operational alignment with NIMS/ICS and ICS fundamentals.
• Maintain interpersonal and liaison skills.
• Document Wildfire and PSPS event data, incident action plans, and dashboards.

Skills

Strong verbal/written communication

Cross-organizational collaboration

Decision support

Ambiguity management

Education

Associate’s degree in emergency/disaster management or related field

Bachelors/Advanced degree desirable

Tools

GIS

Wildfire detection systems

Mapping tools

Weather intelligence

Dashboards

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Position Summary

Oversee and manage the Wildfire Command Center (WCC). Set work schedules, oversee center daily function and operations. Train staff in WCC functions and skillsets. Provide direction and ensure program documentation and data presentation. Coordinate WCC functions with the PSPS team, Meteorological team, Investigations team, Publics Safety Specialist, Liaisons, and communications components within Xcel Energy. The WCC Management Specialist will coordinate monitoring of wildfire activity or threat across XE service territory. The WCC specialist will monitor multiple electronic feeds that relate to wildfires, wildfire conditions, wildfire threat, wildfire staffing constraints, fuels conditions, weather conditions then contextualize this data to form a picture of wildfire threat to XE. The WCC Management Specialist ensures standard operating procedures are in place and followed. The WCC Management Specialist updates standards when appropriate. As needed coordination and communication with Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response partners. This overall collection of data will be tracked, recorded and then analyzed, evaluated for risk threat, confirmed and passed along to leadership and public safety partners. The WCC Management Specialist will also populate, display, post, share wildfire data collection and dissemination for internal operations and leadership. WCC Specialist will support PSPS events and provide real time wildfire information to DCC/ECC and other emergency XE functions that initiate action or response. Gather, and share wildfire information and share with XE to initiate planning efforts for public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) and provide supporting data to address Wildfire incidents.

Essential Responsibilities

• Identify and develop partnerships, build and maintain external relationships with emergency management and wildfire partners.

• Train and develop company personnel on WCC operations and emergency management concepts.

• Monitor wildfire information and identify and fill knowledge gaps for wildfire situational awareness.

• Provide oversight of training for staff and personnel assigned to the incident management team positions that coordinate with the WCC.

• Plan and coordinate Wildfire Mitigation and Response program activities.

• Maintain familiarity with specialized software, tools and processes.

• Develop and maintain Wildfire and WCC response plans, playbooks, standard operating procedures and job aids and support the development of emergency operations plans.

• Serve as a key stakeholder for Operating Company leadership and business areas on WCC operations, Emergency Management interactions, PSPS and Wildfire events, meetings, training, exercises and engagements with key partners.

• Serve in key positions within the Planning Section of the company’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or Incident Management Team, during exercises and real-world incidents.

• Routinely communicate with external partners to ensure stakeholders are aware of and understand the company's Wildfire Mitigation strategy and WCC functionality. Interface with state/county emergency management officials.

• Design and facilitate training and exercises consistent with Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation program (HSEEP) as they relate to WCC operations and manage the programmatic review of emergency operations plans exercises and scenario development.

• Participate in state, county, federal, industry and peer meetings, workshops, briefings, events, training, and facilitate company participation in external exercises. Monitor performance and implement improvements.

• Partner with internal business areas to ensure operational alignment around emergency preparedness for WCC operations, Wildfires and PSPS events consistent with National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Incident Command Structure (ICS) fundamentals.

• Maintain exceptional interpersonal and liaison skills.

• Maintain and document Wildfire and PSPS event response information to include developing incident action plans and situational awareness briefings and dashboards.

• Maintain awareness of current and potential wildfire risks to the company.

• Deliver tactical departmental goals to achieve overall Wildfire group strategic plans, objectives.

• Comply with internal and sector policies and regulatory requirements.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate’s degree in emergency or disaster management, fire science, homeland security or related field or equivalent education and experience required.

• 8+ years of experience in incident, or emergency management.

• Strong verbal/written communication and presentation skills.

• Strong ability to work across organization boundaries and influence others.

• Strong investigative, analysis, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills.

• A valid state driver’s license is required.

• Knowledge and experience with National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command Structure (ICS), Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations, and Incident Management Team (IMT) operations.

• Self-directed and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

• Ability to work well across teams in high stress environments.

• Ability to build relationships and manage multiple opinions.

• Ability to understand complex technical and/or business information.

• Ability to define and manage internal projects and milestones.

• Bachelors or Advanced degree in Emergency or Disaster Management, Fire Science, Homeland Security or related field is desirable.

• Dispatch Center, Emergency Management, Wildfire, and Energy Sector related professional certifications are desirable.

• Experience in Wildfire Response is desirable.

• Experience in Energy Sector at a large Western utility provider is desirable.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience supporting Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Incident Command System (ICS), and wildfire incident management operations, including coordination with fire agencies, emergency managers, and operational partners.

• Knowledge of wildfire response, mitigation, fuels management, fire behavior, situational awareness, and utility wildfire risk management practices.

• Experience using GIS, wildfire detection systems, mapping tools, weather intelligence, dashboards, or other technologies to support operational decision making.

• Ability to analyze and communicate complex wildfire and emergency management information through briefings, reports, incident documentation, and decision support products for leadership and response organizations.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at [e-mail] .

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $100,000.00 to $138,600.00 per year

• Annual Incentive Program
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

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