Integrated Preparedness Specialist.

State of Colorado; Centennial (CO); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental options

Wellness Program

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Integrated Preparedness Specialist role is with the State of Colorado, within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The position strengthens emergency management capabilities by designing training, coordinating exercises, and aligning local needs with statewide preparedness plans.

Hybrid work is required with in-office attendance three days a week, and frequent travel across the continental United States.

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of relevant experience in emergency management at the local, tribal, state, federal, private, non-profit level.
• Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of professional experience in emergency management at the local, tribal, state, federal, private, non-profit level.
• Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP) and related qualifications are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Local Preparedness & Planning: collaborate with Local Emergency Managers to assess plans and guide IPPs.
• Exercise & Training Support: design exercises and conduct After Action Reviews (AARs).
• Strategic Planning: integrate local needs into the OEM’s multi-year Integrated Preparedness Plan.
• Emergency Operations Support: provide training and coordination during activations at SEOC/EOC.

Skills

Emergency management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's Degree

Job description

Department Information

only to Colorado state residents.

An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months. Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our Vision - Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our Core Values - Unity, Honor, Service

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.

Careers With a Purpose

If you are passionate about public safety and public service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

Classification And Salary

Emergency Preparedness and Communications Specialist IV

Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,022 - $7,829/month; $72,264 - $93,948/year

Full Salary Range: $6,022 - $9,636/month; $72,264 - $115,632/year

Benefits

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
• Eligible employees receive Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees.
• The State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, is a no-cost, year-long program that supports an employee’s health and wellness goals. This program offers personalized health coaching, skill groups and more. Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.
• Through BenefitHub, State of Colorado employees have access to discounts, promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.
• State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
• Eligible employees have access to medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI) .
• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• We offer excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.
• We provide generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.
• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.
• Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
• We offer Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits.

Description Of Job

About the Work Unit

This position is located within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is a consolidated Emergency Management and Homeland Security team. The Division's mission is to lead and support Colorado’s efforts to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to and recover from all-hazard events

The Office of Emergency Management conducts the four phases of emergency management (Preparedness, Response, Mitigation and Recovery) in coordination with other State Agencies and in support of local jurisdictions. It integrates emergency management efforts across all levels of government, including state, local, tribal and federal.

Integrated Preparedness Section

The Integrated Preparedness Section is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the Integrated Preparedness Planning (IPP) Cycle at both the division, multi-jurisdictional and local levels. This cycle is based on the Planning, Organizing, Equipping, Training, Exercising (POETE) model. The cycle also includes evaluation of plans, processes, and procedures and continuous improvement to ensure that all jurisdictions have the capabilities to handle threats and hazards. To be successful, the Section must work collaboratively and cooperatively with its partner sections in the Office of Emergency Management, the Office of Public Safety Communications, and the Office of Prevention and Security – CIAC. Integration efforts also include information from the efforts of the integrated preparedness planning at local and multi-jurisdictional levels. The Integrated Preparedness Section works closely with county emergency managers on IPPs that will help to inform the State Office of Emergency Management (OEM) IPP.

Work Environment

Work unit core hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility.

A hybrid work model is utilized, requiring in-office attendance a minimum of three (3) days per week.

Frequent travel is required in the continental United States and across the state to be able to perform the duties of this position.

About The Job

The Integrated Preparedness Specialist is responsible for strengthening emergency management capabilities through the development, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of training and exercises. Working collaboratively with State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) partners and DHSEM programs, the position translates identified preparedness priorities, risks, and capability gaps into targeted training, exercises, and improvement activities.

The position uses priorities and gaps identified through preparedness assessments, planning efforts, exercises, real-world incidents, and after-action processes to inform a coordinated three-year training and exercise schedule. Through training, exercise evaluation, and improvement planning, the position helps partners build and validate capabilities, identify strengths and gaps, develop corrective actions, and achieve measurable preparedness improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Local Preparedness & Planning:
  • Collaborate with Local Emergency Managers to assess plans, identify capability gaps, and guide the development of Integrated Preparedness Plans (IPPs) and workshops.
  • Offer guidance during the local Colorado Emergency Preparedness Assessment (CEPA) and assist in integrating assessment results into Integrated Preparedness Plans (IPPs)
• Exercise & Training Support:
  • Facilitate the POETE cycle by designing exercises, conducting After Action Reviews (AARs), developing course curricula, and serving as a controller or evaluator for state and local events.
• Strategic Planning:
  • Act as a subject matter expert to integrate local needs into the OEM’s multi-year Integrated Preparedness Plan and needs assessments.
• Emergency Operations Support:
  • Provide critical support to the State and local Emergency Operations Centers (SEOC/EOC) during activations, including training and exercise coordination.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

Note, to be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in emergency management at the local, tribal, state, federal, private, non-profit level.

OR Education And Experience, Knowledge, Skills

A Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of professional experience in emergency management at the local, tribal, state, federal, private, non-profit level.

or

A Master's Degree and two (2) years of professional experience in emergency management at the local, tribal, state, federal, private, non-profit level.

Note : an unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.

Preferred Qualifications And Competencies

• Experience in the development of Integrated Preparedness Plans
• Experience with the use of grant funds to include the Emergency Management Preparedness Grant and the State Homeland Security Grant
• Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP)
• Experience leading, mentoring, and managing a geographically dispersed team.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentations skills.
• Experience integrating information from multiple sources and maintain situational awareness during complex incidents.
• Certification as a Professional Emergency Manager (CEM) or Advance Professional Series.
• Experience in the tracking of preparedness activities in Integrated Preparedness Improvement Plans

Conditions of Employment

• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, reference checking, driving history.
• Must be able to participate in State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during activations that may include during nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Must be valid Colorado Driver's License.
• Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.

Appeal Rights

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb . A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: [phone]. Phone: [phone]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Supplemental Information

Disability Accommodation

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure equitable opportunity applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at: [e-mail] .

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Department of Public Safety is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

Recruitment Timeline Information and Important Notices

• Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received.
• Closing Date: All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
• Supplemental Question: Effective responses to Supplemental Questions will directly relate to your professional experience, career accomplishments, and views about organizational values and approaches, and how they relate specifically to this position and requirements as you understand them. Answers generated by AI-tools will typically be unresponsive.
• Transcripts: An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application should education be used as qualification. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process.
• Military Veterans: If you are a military veteran you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Member 4 Copy, and VA disability letter if available/applicable at the time of application so we can determine if you are eligible for veteran's preference points. Military personnel who are stationed outside of Colorado may be eligible for this position by submitting the completed DD-2058 "State of Legal Residence" form.
• Application Tips : For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view this video .
• Resumes, Cover Letters, or other documents submitted will not be reviewed, assessed, or used in the initial stages of the comparative analysis (transcripts submitted to verify that the applicant meets either the education requirement or minimum qualification substitution are exempt from this).
• Notifications: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be sent via email to the email address listed on your application. Include your current working email address on your application and check the email provided on your application frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from " state.co.us " and " [e-mail] " addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.
• e-Verify: CDPS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities.
• Comparative Analysis Steps may include :
• Structured application review by a panel of SMEs
• In-Person panel Interview 10/12/26 to 10/23/26 (Tentative schedule)