Operations Chief

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Reston, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SOS International LLC in Reston, Virginia seeks an Operations Chief to lead day-to-day operational planning, coordination, and execution for federal public health emergency response missions. This role ensures SOSi teams, assets, and capabilities are ready to rapidly support national‑level incidents.

You will direct operational leadership, incident coordination, readiness management, program execution, and team leadership, integrating logistics, medical, communications, and administrative

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, business, public administration, logistics, or related field.
• 7 years experience in emergency management, public health response, or operational leadership.
• Strong understanding of federal response frameworks (ICS, NIMS).
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex operations in high-tempo or high-risk environments.
• Experience coordinating with subcontractors and vendors and federal, state, and local emergency response partners.
• Excellent communication, planning, and decision-making skills.
• May have to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Secret clearance (depending on customer).

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Directs daily operations supporting SOSi readiness, deployment, sustainment, and demobilization activities.
• Incident Response & Coordination: Serves in operational leadership roles during activations, coordinating with partners and various agencies.
• Readiness & Capability Management: Maintains operational readiness of teams, equipment, and mission packages.
• Program Execution & Oversight: Manages schedules, staffing plans, and resource allocation for response missions.
• Team Leadership: Supervises operations personnel, ensuring qualifications and readiness.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, business, public administration, logistics, or related field

Job description

Founded in 1989, SOSi is among the largest private, founder‑owned technology and services integrators in the defense and government services industry. We deliver tailored solutions, tested leadership, and trusted results to enable national security missions worldwide.

Job Description

Overview

SOS International LLC is seeking an Operations Chief to to lead day‑to‑day operational planning, coordination, and execution for federal public health emergency response missions. This role ensures SOSi teams, assets, and capabilities are ready, integrated, and able to rapidly support national‑level incidents.

The Operations Chief is a central leader in mission execution—driving readiness, coordinating multi‑disciplinary teams, and ensuring smooth, effective operations during high‑tempo response activities.

• Operational Leadership: Directs daily operations supporting SOSi readiness, deployment, sustainment, and demobilization activities. Leads operational planning for public health emergencies, disasters, and national‑level response missions. Oversees the development and execution of operational plans, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and mission workflows.
• Incident Response & Coordination: Serves in operational leadership roles during activations, supporting Incident Command or Unified Command structures. Coordinates with subcontractors, vendors, federal partners (HHS, FEMA, DoD), state/local agencies, and contracted response teams. Ensures operational integration across logistics, medical, communications, and administrative functions.
• Readiness & Capability Management: Maintains operational readiness of ERSS teams, equipment, and mission packages. Oversees training, exercises, and readiness assessments to ensure deployable capability. Identifies operational gaps and leads improvement initiatives.
• Program Execution & Oversight: Manages operational schedules, staffing plans, and resource allocation for response missions. Monitors mission performance, operational metrics, and compliance with ASPR requirements. Leads after‑action reviews and implements corrective actions to strengthen future operations.
• Team Leadership: Supervises operations personnel, including planners, coordinators, and field operations staff. Establishes performance expectations and ensures staff maintain required qualifications and readiness. Fosters a culture of safety, accountability, and mission focus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, business, public administration, logistics, or related field.
• 7 years experience in emergency management, public health response, or operational leadership.
• Strong understanding of federal response frameworks (ICS, NIMS).
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex operations in high‑tempo or high‑risk environments.
• Experience coordinating with subcontractors and vendors and federal, state, and local emergency response partners.
• Excellent communication, planning, and decision‑making skills.
• May have to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Secret clearance (depending on customer).

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 years experience supporting HHS/ASPR, FEMA, DoD, or similar federal response programs.
• Background in medical operations, deployable teams, or field response environments.
• Professional certifications such as CEM, CHS, or PMP.
• Experience with operational planning, mission management systems, or emergency operations centers.

Additional Information

• Travel, including deployment to emergency sites, is required.

Working at SOSi

All interested individuals will receive consideration and will not be discriminated against for any reason.

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