Emergency Management Planner

City of La Porte; La Porte (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of La Porte seeks an experienced Emergency Management professional to lead planning, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. You will coordinate with local agencies, develop and test drills, and maintain plans to meet state and federal requirements.

The role requires a Bachelor's in a related field and at least one year of emergency management experience, with strong communication, organization, and knowledge of NIMS. On-call duties may be required.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of emergency services and resources for natural and man-made disasters.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, updates, and maintains emergency management plans and supporting documents to reflect changes and ensure compliance.
• Assists in developing drills and exercises to test plans, identify deficiencies, and improve preparedness.
• Assists in developing After-Action Reports and Improvement Plans (AAR/IPs) and tracks corrective actions.
• Reviews hazard analyses and risk assessments to reflect community changes and threats.
• Assists in maintaining Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) and disaster recovery plans.
• Utilizes emergency management software to track resources, conduct hazard assessments, and support decision-making.
• Maintains records of emergency incidents and response activities.
• Supports LEPC activities and coordinates with industry and public safety partners.
• Attends trainings to enhance knowledge and partnerships.
• Assists in developing Incident Action Plans for events with large crowds and soft targets.
• Supports EOC activities during emergencies and disasters.

Skills

Emergency management knowledge

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Hazards, risks and vulnerabilities

NIMS/ICS knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in emergency management or related field

Job description

DEFINITION

Conducts research, preparation, implementation, updating, exercising, and critiquing of the City’s emergency plans and programs in compliance with local, State, and Federal policies. Ensures efficient operation of the division and aids with City activities involving the planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation of an emergency or disaster. Supports the Emergency Management Coordinator in development of programs that allow the City to meet all major emergencies.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Emergency Management Coordinator. May receive functional supervision from the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reviews, maintains, and updates emergency management plans and supporting documents to reflect changes in personnel, contact information, procedures, and operational needs, ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.
• Assists in the development, coordination, and evaluation of drills and exercises to test emergency management plans, identify deficiencies, and improve preparedness.
• Assists in developing After-Action Reports and Improvement Plans (AAR/IPs), including tracking corrective actions and lessons learned from exercises and emergency incidents.
• Reviews and updates hazard analyses and associated risk assessments to reflect changes in community conditions, vulnerabilities, and potential threats.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), disaster recovery plans, and supporting emergency management procedures.
• Utilizes specialized emergency management software to track resources, conduct hazard and risk assessments, maintain special population information and emergency contacts, and support operational decision-making.
• Maintains accurate records and documentation of emergency incidents, response activities, and related emergency management operations.
• Reviews Tier II reports and applicable Risk Management Program information submitted by industrial facilities in accordance with applicable reporting and public information requirements.
• Supports Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) activities, including emergency planning, hazard analysis, and coordination with industry and public safety partners.
• Attends meetings, seminars, conferences, and training courses to enhance professional knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and expand emergency management resources.
• Assists in developing Incident Action Plans (IAPs) for special events, soft targets, mass gatherings, and other locations involving large populations.
• Supports Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activities during emergencies and disasters, serving as a member of the City's EOC staff.
• Assists in coordinating City departments and personnel to maintain a comprehensive citywide emergency management program.
• Engages with local businesses and industry partners to promote emergency preparedness, business continuity, and community resilience.
• Coordinates annual tracking and documentation of National Incident Management System (NIMS) training requirements for City personnel.
• Maintains schedules and tracking systems for emergency management plan reviews, exercises, preparedness activities, and required reporting deadlines.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

For indefinite periods of time – mobility within an office and field environment; walking; twisting body; stooping; standing; squatting; sitting; seeing; running; pushing, pulling, lifting, dragging, and carrying up to 40 pounds; climbing; crawling, reading; reaching above shoulder level; using both hands for simple and firm grasping; clarity of hearing; communicating clearly and effectively, in person and by two- way radio; operation of calculator and personal computer.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills and Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of the types of emergency services and resources that might be required in both natural and man-made disasters.
• Good communication skills, both oral and written
• Good organizational skills, including project management and attention to detail.
• Understanding of the hazards, risks and vulnerabilities associated with the area including, but not limited to, Hazardous Materials, Severe Weather, and Hurricanes.
• Working knowledge of NIMS and the Incident Command Structure.

Ability to:

• Work with minimal supervision.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• React calmly and promptly during an emergency or disaster situation.
• Coordinate plan development with local, state, and outside agencies.
• Communicate both orally and in writing with government officials and the public.
• Work extended hours, overnight, and on weekends during emergencies and disasters.
• Ability to be on-call and to respond to after-hour/weekend incidents.
• Work under potentially adverse conditions for an extended periods of time.

Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with focus in emergency management, public administration, or a related field, preferred.
• Minimum one (1) year emergency management experience, including planning, business continuity, and/or emergency response operations, required.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid Texas Driver’s License is required.
• Certificates of completion in FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, G-300, and G-400 or federal/state equivalent

**Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that required of the employee for this job.

**Duties, responsibilities and actions may change at any time with or without notice.