Lead Exercise Planner, Homeland Security

Cadmus; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Cadmus seeks candidates to design, execute, and evaluate homeland security exercises across terrorism, cybersecurity, and natural disasters for public and private clients. This proposal-focused role may require travel domestically and supports policy analysis, research, writing, and strategic planning in homeland security or public policy.

The successful candidate will lead planning meetings, develop objectives and scenarios, and produce high-quality exercise documentation, working with

Qualifications

• Experience leading the design and delivery of HSEEP exercises.
• Experience producing HSEEP documentation, including exercise design materials and after-action products.
• Experience leading teams, assigning work, reviewing deliverables, and mentoring staff.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and working proficiency with Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, conduct, and evaluation of HSEEP-compliant exercises for CISA.
• Develop exercise objectives, scenarios, planning schedules, stakeholder engagement approaches, evaluation methods, and exercise documentation.
• Lead planning meetings and coordinate inputs from clients, subject-matter experts, participating organizations, and project staff.
• Lead the development and quality review of exercise documentation, including Situation Manuals, Exercise Plans, Master Scenario Events Lists, facilitator guides, evaluator materials, multimedia injects, After-Action Reports, and Improvement Plans.
• Support tabletop exercises, workshops, seminars, and other discussion-based exercise activities involving government and private-sector stakeholders.
• Direct assigned exercise teams, delegate tasks, monitor progress, and mentor junior and mid-level staff.
• Conduct research and analysis involving cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, emergency management, homeland security policy, and emerging threats.
• Analyze exercise observations and participant feedback to develop well-supported findings, recommendations, corrective actions, and improvement priorities.
• Brief clients and senior stakeholders on exercise design decisions, project status, exercise outcomes, and recommended next steps.
• Identify project risks, resolve planning challenges, and maintain exercise quality, schedule, and alignment with client requirements.
• Ensure deliverables are accurate, consistent, professionally written, and compliant with applicable templates and style standards.

Skills

Client engagement

Facilitation

Research

Analytical skills

Writing

Briefing

Presentation skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Cadmus seeks candidates to design, execute, and evaluate homeland security exercises across terrorism, cybersecurity, and natural disasters for public and private clients. This proposal-focused role may require travel domestically and supports policy analysis, research, writing, and strategic planning in homeland security or public policy.

The successful candidate will lead planning meetings, develop objectives and scenarios, and produce high-quality exercise documentation, working with