Emergency Support Function #14 Specialist, Junior

Cayuse Holdings; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Wellness Program

Retirement Savings Plan with matching

Job summary

Cayuse Holdings is seeking an Emergency Support Function Specialist Junior to plan, coordinate, and execute disaster response activities and maintain situational awareness across FEMA/CISA interfaces.

The role requires collaboration across infrastructure owners, government partners, and private sector entities, with a focus on timely reporting, briefing, and documentation in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Public Policy, Public Administration or related field.
• An additional (2) two years of experience may be substituted with an Associate’s degree, and additional (4) four years of experience may be substituted with a high school diploma.
• Minimum of two (2) years of related experience with at least one (1) year of specialized operations center experience.
• Experience in researching, writing and assembling briefing products for senior leaders.
• Experience in preparation and presentation of oral briefings for senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain partnerships with infrastructure, business owners and operators, and private sector partners.
• Coordinate ESF #14 – Cross-Sector Business and Infrastructure support during activations.
• Plan and participate in Disaster Response exercises.
• Prepare and present oral briefings for senior executives.
• Support cross‑sector operations and stabilization of key supply chains and lifelines.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Detail-oriented

Microsoft & Google Suite

Synthesize complex information

Deadline driven

Education

Bachelor degree in Homeland Security/EMS/Public Policy/PA

Associate degree with substitution

Job description

Overview

This is a temporary position ending 02/2027 and is contingent upon funding / client approval.

The Emergency Support Function Specialist # 14, (ESF) Junior will plan, coordination and execute the disaster response activities. The ESF Specialist will coordinate cross‐sector operations, including the stabilization of key supply chains and community lifelines, among infrastructure owners and operators, businesses, and their government partners such as FEMA. This role will communicate, write, and prepare reports and present briefings to partners and senior leaders.

This position aligns with Cayuse’s core values of Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Integrity by fostering technical solutions that meet customer needs, promoting teamwork, and prioritizing quality in deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain partnerships with infrastructure, business owners and operators, and private sector partners.
• Participate in rapid planning and coordination by providing ESF #14 – Cross-Sector Business and Infrastructure support during multiple activations.
• Planning and participating in Disaster Response exercises at all levels.
• Research, write and assemble products in support of steady state and incident management postures, and in support of special events.
• Prepare and present oral briefings for senior executive-level audiences based on the synthesis and detailed research of information.
• Support the coordination of cross‐sector operations, including stabilization of key supply chains and community lifelines, among infrastructure owners and operators, businesses, and their government partners.
• Ensure that products and presentations are produced in accordance with established style guides and standards.
• Organize and maintain electronic records of reference materials and final products.
• Research and analyze data from various websites and databases to identify areas significantly impacted by an event.
• Support coordinated responses to RFIs and RFAs to provide accurate and timely information related to an actual or potential incident.
• Support public and private organizations not aligned with ESFs such as the financial sector.
• Assist the ERO staff in reviewing current plans and the development of new operational documents to ensure all successful plans and actions are continued and that continuous improvement is implemented.
• Maintain real-time communications with CISA Central to ensure situational awareness and coordination across CISA and FEMA.
• Coordinate information flow between the CISA Central, CISA Regions, CISA ICC, IOD Integrated Actions Branch, the FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC), and the National Response Center Staff.
• Resolve Critical Infrastructure (CI) policy questions, coordinating with CISA Central, that arise during National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) activation.
• Coordinate with the National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC) on policy guidance for NRCC activities as those activities relate to CI.
• Attend scheduled and unscheduled meetings to provide insight into identified issues and keep Senior Leadership abreast of current and upcoming operations.
• Collaborate with the ESF Leadership Group (ESFLG).
• Coordinate with the NRMC to provide the IOC list and Infrastructure Outlook Brief to FEMA partners.
• Partner with public and private organizations such as the All-Hazards Consortium and the National Council of ISACs
• Leverage extensive public and private sector contact lists maintained by the Office of Business, Industry, Infrastructure, and Integration and CISA’s SED.
• Provide support to public and private organizations.
• May be tasked to support watch operations as an Operations Analyst to train and learn how ESF activities are aligned with watch operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Public Policy, Public Administration or related field. An additional (2) two years of experience may be substituted with an Associate’s degree, and additional (4) four years of experience may be substituted with a high school diploma.
• Minimum of two (2) years of related experience with at least one (1) year of specialized operations center experience.
• Experience in researching, writing and assembling briefing products for a wide variety of clients to include senior leaders.
• Experience in preparation and presentation of oral briefings for a wide variety of clients, to include senior leaders, based on the synthesis and detailed research of information.
• Experience in 24x7 operations center activities focusing on incident response involving critical infrastructure and/or FEMA Lifelines.
• Experience in facilitating and coordinating communications, plans and responses across multiple entities/offices.
• Active Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance.
• Must be able to pass a background check. May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment.

Minimum Skills Required:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to interact effectively with all levels throughout Company organization.
• Shall have the requisite skills, expertise, and experience to perform the requirements of each task.
• Must be extremely detail-oriented and well organized.
• Proficient skills using Microsoft and Google Suite Products (Word, Excel, Power Point) and be able to learn new software as the situation dictates.
• Ability to comprehend and assess a vast amount of highly technical information in a time constrained environment.
• Ability to produce high quality results under tight deadlines.

Our Commitment to you / overview of benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance; Wellness Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability options
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Company Provided)
• Voluntary Life and AD&D options
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with matching after one year
• Paid Time Off

Reports to: Program Manager

Working Conditions

• Professional office environment with the ability to work on-site.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform duties extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed to meet the demands of this position.
• Must be able to establish a productive and professional workspace.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time looking at computer screen.
• May be asked to work a flexible schedule which may include holidays.
• May be asked to travel for business or professional development purposes.
• May be asked to work hours outside of normal business hours.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Cayuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, skills, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local law.