Mid Atlantic Dispatch Assistant Center Manager (Emergency Management Specialist)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks a Mid Atlantic Dispatch Assistant Center Manager to coordinate resources, personnel, and response activities during wildland fire and emergencies. This position supports interagency partnerships across a multi-jurisdictional environment, ensuring readiness and effective incident response.

The role includes leadership support, and may involve acting center manager, with telework opportunities and a schedule that adapts to fire season demands.

Qualifications

• Two years of professional experience in development, coordination, or promotion of emergency management programs in government, industry, education, or military.
• Completion of FEMA EMI courses or equivalent training is required or recommended.
• Valid driver's license and ability to perform essential job functions.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate movement of personnel, equipment, and aircraft during incidents.
• Evaluate operational needs and arrange staffing, machinery, and resources.
• Schedule aircraft operations and transportation of personnel and supplies.
• Assist with planning, procedures, schedules, budgets, and administrative processes for the dispatch center.
• Maintain relationships with local, state, federal, and cooperating agencies.

Skills

Emergency management

Coordination

Public safety

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

THE POSITION

Answer the call to support critical emergency operations across the region! The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeking a Mid Atlantic Dispatch Assistant Center Manager to help coordinate resources, personnel, and response activities during wildland fire and emergency incidents. This position plays a key role in keeping operations running smoothly and ensuring agencies receive the support they need. Join a fast-paced environment where your decisions help protect communities, natural resources, and public safety.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position assists with the oversight of dispatch center operations that support wildland fire preparedness, suppression activities, and other emergency incidents. The role helps coordinate resources, maintain operational readiness, and support interagency partnerships across a multijurisdictional environment. As a Mid Atlantic Dispatch Assistant Center Manager, you will perform the following duties:

• Dispatch Coordination: Coordinate the movement of personnel, equipment, and aircraft during wildland fire and emergency incidents
• Resource Management: Evaluate operational needs and arrange appropriate staffing, machinery, and resources for response activities
• Aviation Oversight: Schedule aircraft operations and coordinate transportation of personnel, equipment, and supplies
• Program Administration: Assist with developing plans, procedures, schedules, budgets, and administrative processes for the dispatch center
• Partner Collaboration: Maintain working relationships with local, state, federal, and other cooperating agencies to support incident response
• Leadership Support: Serve as acting center manager when needed and provide updates, coordination, and operational guidance for dispatch activities

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch, outside of fire season.
• During fire seasons (March 1 to May 31 and October 1 to December 1), the Center operates seven days per week, and employees schedule will vary.
• Travel and mandatory overtime during emergency response and scheduled overtime during periods of elevated emergency response.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, on Ad-hoc basis. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the Emergency Management Trainee program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Two years of professional experience in the development, coordination, or promotion of emergency management programs such as disaster relief, public safety, flood mitigation and resiliency, and emergency management in government, industry, education, or the military; and a bachelor’s degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of professional experience in the development, coordination, or promotion of emergency management programs such as disaster relief, public safety, flood mitigation and resiliency, and emergency management in government, industry, education, or the military.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of a valid driver's license which is not under suspension.
• This position requires certification in the following courses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute, within six months of hire:
• IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
• IS-800.D: National Response Framework, An Introduction
• IS-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.