Emergency Preparedness Specialist (9277) - Training and Exercise

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA); Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 82,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare Coverage

Pension Plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

PSLF Program

Free SEPTA Transportation Pass

Job summary

SEPTA is seeking an Emergency Preparedness Specialist to support the design, development, conduct, and evaluation of training and exercise programs across the Authority. The role collaborates with multiple departments, contractors, and regional partners to strengthen emergency readiness and response capabilities.

The incumbent leads the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program across seminars, workshops, drills, and full-scale exercises, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; five (5) years’ experience in Emergency Management.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Experience in operations in the Public Transportation Industry preferred.
• Ability to pursue/perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and strong technical writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develops, maintains, and implements SEPTA's MYTEP and Training and Exercise Program across stakeholders.
• Designs, conducts, and evaluates an exercise program using HSEEP principles.
• Manages post-exercise improvement processes including AAR/IPs and corrective actions.
• Monitors federal/state/local guidance to identify opportunities for program enhancement and compliance.
• Coordinates with departments, contractors, and agencies to support preparedness activities.
• Represents the Emergency Management Department on committees and regional preparedness forums.
• Maintains records, prepares reports, and presents program metrics to leadership and regulators.
• Assesses program effectiveness and recommends improvements to training curricula and exercises.

Skills

Verbal Communication

Technical Writing

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Secure Your Future with SEPTA – A Leader in Transportation!

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the sixth-largest transportation system in the U.S., connecting communities across a 2,200-square-mile service region. SEPTA is at the forefront of innovation in the transit industry, ensuring reliable and efficient services while driving economic growth in the Philadelphia region.

Only candidates who are authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, will be accepted at this time.

We Are Proud To Be Recognized As

2023 FORBES Best in State Employer

Philadelphia Employer of Choice for 2024

We are seeking to hire candidates for our Emergency Preparedness Specialist (9277) - Training and Exercise.

Opening Date: 09/10/2026

Closing Date: 09/24/2026

Job Grade: SAM 40

Salary Range: $82,342.00-$102,908.00

Overall Description

The Emergency Preparedness Specialist - Training and Exercise is responsible for supporting the Director of Emergency Management in the design, development, conduct, and evaluation of emergency preparedness training and exercise programs. The incumbent develops, coordinates, and delivers training initiatives that enhance organizational preparedness, employee readiness, and emergency response capabilities across the Authority.

The incumbent plans, facilitates, and evaluates a comprehensive Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) exercise program, including seminars, workshops, tabletop exercises, drills, functional exercises, and full-scale exercises. Working collaboratively with SEPTA departments, contractors, jurisdictional emergency response agencies, and regional partners, the specialist develops exercise objectives, scenarios, participant materials, after-action reports, and corrective action plans to strengthen preparedness and resilience.

The incumbent supports the education and training of SEPTA employees, contractors, and external response partners on emergency procedures, incident management principles, and coordinated response actions involving SEPTA assets and operations. The specialist works closely with the System Safety Division and other stakeholders to ensure training and exercise activities align with regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and identified preparedness priorities.

The incumbent is highly organized, skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously, and performs effectively in dynamic, high-pressure environments. The specialist possesses extensive knowledge of emergency management, adult learning principles, exercise design and evaluation methodologies, and incident management frameworks. Experience in complex operational environments, preferably within public transportation or other critical infrastructure sectors, is highly desirable. The incumbent must communicate effectively with all levels of SEPTA personnel, executive leadership, labor representatives, contractors, and jurisdictional emergency response agencies, while building and sustaining strong collaborative partnerships.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develops, maintains, and implements SEPTA's Multi-Year Training and Exercise Plan (MYTEP) and Training and Exercise Program, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure training and exercise activities support organizational priorities, regulatory requirements, capability development goals, continuous improvement initiatives, and enhanced preparedness for emergencies, disasters, and disruptive incidents affecting SEPTA personnel, assets, and infrastructure.
• Designs, develops, conducts, and evaluates a progressive exercise program, including seminars, workshops, tabletop exercises, drills, functional exercises, and full-scale exercises, utilizing Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) principles to validate emergency plans, procedures, and response capabilities.
• Develops and manages post-exercise improvement processes, including facilitating hot washes, preparing After-Action Reports/Improvement Plans (AAR/IPs), tracking corrective actions, and recommending updates to emergency plans, procedures, training programs, and operational practices.
• Monitors and evaluates federal, state, local, and industry guidance, standards, and best practices related to emergency preparedness, training, exercise design, and emergency management to identify opportunities for program enhancement and compliance.
• Coordinates and collaborates with SEPTA departments, contractors, regional partners, and jurisdictional emergency response agencies to support integrated preparedness activities, mutual aid coordination, and multidisciplinary training and exercise initiatives.
• Represents the Emergency Management Department on committees, task forces, working groups, and regional preparedness forums as directed, providing subject matter expertise on training, exercises, and emergency preparedness programs.
• Maintains comprehensive records of training and exercise activities. Prepares reports, presentations, and program metrics for SEPTA leadership, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders as required.
• Conducts periodic assessments of SEPTA's training and exercise program to evaluate effectiveness, identify capability gaps, and support continuous improvement. Recommends enhancements to preparedness programs, training curricula, exercise methodologies, and related emergency management initiatives to strengthen organizational readiness and response capabilities.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and discretion in analyzing issues, resolving problems, interpreting policies, standards, and regulations, and recommending appropriate courses of action related to emergency preparedness training and exercises.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, and delivers clear, professional presentations and instructional content on technical, complex, and occasionally sensitive emergency management topics to diverse audiences at all organizational levels.

Qualifications And Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required; five (5) years’ experience in Emergency Management.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education (one year of formal education equating to two years of work experience) may be considered in lieu of the above requirements.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Experience in operations in the Public Transportation Industry preferred.
• Must demonstrate the ability to pursue/perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must have excellent verbal and strong technical writing skills.

Ideal Qualifications And Experience required PC experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

• Associate or Certified Emergency Manager, preferred.
• Working knowledge of the DHS Homeland Security Emergency and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), preferred.

Why Join Our Team? Enjoy Outstanding Benefits!

• Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage – Medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans with little to no employee premiums.
• Retirement Security – Participate in a Defined Benefit Pension Plan and a 457B Deferred Compensation Plan to build your financial future.
• Work-Life Balance – Enjoy paid parental leave, generous vacation time, and paid holidays to recharge and spend time with loved ones.
• Employee Wellness – Access wellness programs and resources to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Invest in Your Growth – We offer tuition reimbursement to support your education and career advancement.
• Student Loan Assistance – Our positions qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, helping you manage and reduce student debt.
• Free Travel Perks – Receive a FREE SEPTA Transportation Pass, giving you unlimited access to all SEPTA services!

Join us and take advantage of these incredible benefits while making a difference in your community!

SEPTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SEPTA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.