Exercise Coordinator

DecisionPoint | Cortek; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DecisionPoint Corporation seeks an Exercise Coordinator in Atlanta to plan, develop, coordinate, execute, and evaluate public health emergency exercises. The role supports design aligned with federal standards to strengthen readiness across CDC and partner agencies.

This is a 100% in-person position in Atlanta, GA, with potential telework exceptions approved by the technical monitor and COR. The responsibilities include coordinating across federal, state, local, and international partners and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in emergency management, public health preparedness, or exercise design and evaluation.
• Strong working knowledge of HSEEP, ICS/IMS, and NIMS.
• Experience supporting and developing both operations-based and discussion-based exercises.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Planner).
• Strong facilitation, communication, and coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the full exercise lifecycle per HSEEP, including planning, design, execution, evaluation, and improvement planning.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute all-hazards public health exercises (discussion- and operations-based).
• Coordinate with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international partners.
• Ensure exercises align with NIMS, National Response Framework, CDC policies, and exercise objectives.
• Design realistic, scenario-based exercises aligned with objectives.
• Develop and maintain ExPlans, C/E Handbooks, SitMan, and participant briefings.
• Develop Master Scenario Events Lists (MSELs) to guide exercise flow and injects.
• Coordinate SIMCELL operations and manage exercise controllers, evaluators, and simulators.
• Provide real-time exercise control, issue resolution, and scenario adjustments.
• Plan and facilitate seminars, workshops, and tabletop exercises (TTXs).
• Develop facilitation guides and participant materials.
• Lead or support structured discussions to validate plans, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure exercises achieve defined objectives within scheduled timeframes and cross-agency collaboration.

Skills

Emergency management experience

Exercise design & evaluation

HSEEP knowledge

ICS/IMS knowledge

NIMS knowledge

Operations-based and discussion-based

Microsoft Office proficiency

Facilitation & coordination

Multi-agency coordination

Ability to obtain Public Trust

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview DecisionPoint is seeking an Exercise Coordinator to join our team in Atlanta, GA, to provide comprehensive support for the planning, development, coordination, execution, and evaluation of public health emergency exercises in support of preparedness and response capabilities. This role will support the design and delivery of operations-based and discussion-based exercises aligned with federal standards to strengthen readiness across CDC and partner agencies.

This is a 100% in person position. Telework may be allowed, occasionally, if approved by technical monitor and COR.

Duties & Responsibilities

Support the full exercise lifecycle in accordance with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, including exercise planning and design, scenario development, exercise execution and control, evaluation and improvement planning, and integration with public health emergency preparedness priorities.

Plan, coordinate, and execute all-hazards public health exercises (discussion- and operations-based).

Coordinate with internal and external partners (federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and international stakeholders).

Ensure exercises align with national frameworks such as the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and National Response Framework, CDC's Family of Plans, and CDC's Exercise Policy.

Design realistic, scenario-based exercises addressing public health threats (natural and man‑made) that are aligned with exercise objectives.

Develop and maintain exercise documentation, including exercise plans (ExPlans), controller/evaluator (C/E) Handbooks, situation manuals (SitMan), and participant briefings.

Develop Master Scenario Events Lists (MSELs) to guide exercise flow and injects.

Integrate subject matter expertise into exercise design as provided by CDC SMEs.

Support planning and execution of functional and full-scale exercises.

Develop and manage Simulation Cell (SIMCELL) operations.

Coordinate activities of controllers, evaluators, and simulators.

Support real-time exercise control, issue resolution, and scenario adjustments.

Plan and facilitate seminars, workshops, and tabletop exercises (TTXs).

Develop facilitation guides and participant materials.

Lead or support structured discussions to validate plans, policies, and procedures.

Ensure, through an intentional exercise evaluation approach, exercises achieve defined objectives within scheduled timeframes.

Coordinate all logistical and administrative requirements across the exercise lifecycle.

Facilitate or support execution of exercises, including briefings and operational oversight.

Ensure adherence to exercise objectives, timelines, and evaluation approach.

Provide real-time support to exercise leadership and participants.

Design and implement evaluation approach consistent with evaluation principles of the CDC Evaluation Framework and HSEEP doctrine.

Collect and analyze exercise data, participant feedback, and evaluator observations and develop Summary of Conclusions (SOC) and other briefing documents.

Develop and deliver training related to exercise design, evaluation, and emergency preparedness.

Provide technical assistance to internal and external partners on exercise methodologies.

Support integration of lessons learned into training and planning efforts and exercises.

Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure integrated exercise efforts.

Maintain strong relationships to support coordinated preparedness and response activities.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 7 years' experience in emergency management and two years specifically in public health emergency management may substitute).
• Demonstrated experience in emergency management, public health preparedness, or exercise design and evaluation.
• Strong working knowledge of:

• Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
• Incident Command System (ICS) / Incident Management System (IMS).
• National Incident Management System (NIMS).

• Experience supporting and developing both operations-based and discussion-based exercises.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Planner).

• Strong facilitation, communication, and coordination skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work in high‑tempo, deadline‑driven environments, and translate complex concepts into actionable exercise scenarios.

• Ability to coordinate across multiple time zones and agencies.

• Must maintain readiness for IMS activation, including extended hours, shift work, and surge support.

• Ability to participate in required exercises and real‑world responses.

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