Emergency Management Specialist

Illinois State University; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) Plan

Job summary

Illinois State University is seeking a Student Emergency Management Specialist to gain practical experience in emergency preparedness, planning, training, technology systems, and campus resilience.

You will assist in training, IT applications, and the Emergency Operations Center during activations, while helping develop and maintain emergency plans and inventory. This role encourages collaboration across campus and public safety partners.

Qualifications

• Extreme attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and planning skills; adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to learn new technologies, software applications, and processes.
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills; able to work with diverse backgrounds.
• Professionalism and reliability; able to work independently when needed.
• Strong customer service mindset and ability to work with diverse campus stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of emergency training, drills and exercises.
• Maintain and enhance IT applications and equipment that support the University’s emergency management program.
• Serve in a support role within the Emergency Operations Center during approved emergency activations, planned events, exercises, and severe weather operations.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of various emergency plans.
• Assist in maintaining the department’s technology inventory including campus radios, computers, and cell phones.
• Collaborate with various campus departments and public safety partners.
• Develop capabilities within the Virtual Emergency Operations Center application.
• Conduct, critique, and document routine tests of emergency-related systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Willingness to learn

Written and oral communication

Professionalism

Customer service mindset

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title: Emergency Management Specialist
Employee Classification: Student Help Regular
Division Name: Student Affairs
Department: Emergency Management

Job Summary

The Emergency Management Specialist is a student employment opportunity designed to provide practical experience in emergency preparedness, planning, training, technology systems, and campus resilience. The position supports a variety of emergency management initiatives while offering professional development opportunities for students interested in public safety, emergency management, technology, and related fields.

• Assist in the development and execution of emergency training, drills and exercises
• Maintain and enhance IT applications and equipment that support the University’s emergency management program
• Serve in a support role within the Emergency Operations Center during approved emergency activations, planned events, exercises, and severe weather operations
• Assist in the development and maintenance of various emergency plans
• Assist in maintaining the department’s technology inventory including but not limited to campus radios, computers, and cell phones
• Collaborate with various campus departments and public safety partners
• Develop capabilities within the Virtual Emergency Operations Center application
• Conduct, critique, and document routine tests of various emergency-related systems
• Other duties as assigned

This position may require students to lift up to 40 lbs.

Organizational Relationships

The Emergency Management Specialist reports to the Emergency Operations Manager and works closely with the Senior Emergency Management Specialist. This position will collaborate with Emergency Management full-time and student staff members, as well as staff from the University Police Department and Environmental Health & Safety, among others.

NOTE: Students from ALL majors/backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Relevant fields of study may include Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Public Health, Nursing, Fire Protection, Environmental Health, Geography/GIS, Communications, Business, or related disciplines.

Experience in project management, information technology, GIS, data analysis, communications, public administration, environmental health, healthcare, or related fields may be beneficial.

Additional Information

Student employees are eligible to participate in the University’s 403(b) Plan. More information can be found here.

Pay Rate

$15.00/hour

Required Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience Required:

• Extreme attention to detail
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to adapt effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to learn new technologies, software applications, and processes using available resources
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills; able to work effectively with individuals from varied technical and educational backgrounds
• Professionalism and reliability (integrity, discretion, self-motivated; able to work independently when needed)
• Strong customer service mindset and ability to work effectively with diverse campus stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience Strongly Preferred:

• Academic or practical experience within one or more disciplines of public safety (law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, public health, health sciences, nursing, emergency management, lifeguard, Explorers/Civil Air Patrol/Scouts, etc.)
• Experience using various professional software applications such as Adobe Creative Suite, ArcGIS, etc.
• Competency in the Microsoft Office suite of applications (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Valid drivers license

Work Hours

Flexible hours within a standard 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. work week. Approximately 14-20 hours/week. Some evening or weekend hours may be required, depending on availability.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

Proposed Starting Date

August 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Work Availability
Reference List (2-3 professional references that can speak to your academic or work history)

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

This application includes supplemental questions (answer in no more than 3-4 sentences each).

Contact Information for Applicants

Dan Simon
[e-mail]

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In addition, all appointments are contingent upon proof of eligibility for employment at Illinois State University to perform the required duties described above on your scheduled start date. The Immigration and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires all new employees to file an I-9 in person and no later than three days from the beginning of employment. This may be accomplished within the department or through Human Resources. A list of the types of documentation you will be expected to provide is available at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents. Failure to comply with this law will result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University, as your employer, is required by federal law to ensure proper tax withholding from wages and to ensure that the required reporting of employee wages, withholding, and employment taxes is accurate. For this reason, every employee must have a valid Social Security Number registered with the University at the time of employment and/or as soon after as possible, but no later than 45 days from the start date. Failure to comply with this law may result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University student employees are restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held.

International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work more when the university is not in session. International students should contact the Office of International Studies and Programs for guidance if they have questions concerning employment restrictions.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone]. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at [phone].