Description

This position is project and anticipated to last 24 months. Extensions beyond this term are possible, dependent on project funding.

Under the direction of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Manager, the State EOC Planning Section Chief serves as the primary and lead Planning Section Chief for the Washington State Emergency Operations Center as an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Planning Section Chief in an ICS-like EOC. The duties of this position closely resemble those of a Type 3 Planning Section Chief. Additionally, the role oversees and directs effective section activities as outlined in the SEOC Standard Operating Procedures and as called for in National Incident Management System (NIMS) Doctrine for all aspects of incident response.

This is a state agency civilian position and does not require military service affiliation.

Emergency Management Division Overview
As a part of the Washington Military Department, the Emergency Management Division leads and coordinates mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery in Washington State to minimize the impact of disasters and emergencies on the people, property, environment, and economy.

About the Washington Military Department
Protecting people is our passion. At the Washington Military Department, we combine our unique talents to create safer communities and ensure our neighbors and loved ones can recover from whatever emergency might arise. Our agency unites civilian employees with members of the Washington National Guard, creating a team that is deeply committed to public service. We go home at night knowing that our day-to-day work supports activities that truly make a difference. Whether that's partnering with our communities to prepare for a disaster, leading an emergency response, hiring top-notch talent or supporting at-risk kids at our Washington Youth Academy - the Washington Military Department seeks to safeguard our way of life and those that call Washington home.

Join our Team: Introduction video to the WA Military Department

To learn more about the Washington Military Department, visit: www.mil.wa.gov

In addition to job fulfillment, the Washington Military Department offers an excellent benefits package which includes exceptional health care coverage, a retirement savings plan, and job training opportunities.

Duties

Responsibilities include:

• Directly supervises the full-time Situation Unit Leader, Documentation Unit Leader, and other staff temporarily assigned to the SEOC Planning Section.
• Organizes, schedules, facilitates, and documents all incident action planning cycle meetings and briefings.
• Supervises the assignment and tracking of all incident personnel and resources through the Resource Unit.
• Establishes information/data collection activities.
• Supervises and coordinates the collection, analysis, documentation, and distribution of incident situational awareness and development and release of situational awareness products.
• Supports the development of Governor's Proclamations of Emergency and associated amendments.
• Ensures the accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of all materials produced by the Planning Section.
• Promptly reports changes in incident status to the SEOC Supervisor and other appropriate parties.
• Oversees preparation and implementation of the incident demobilization plan.
• Ensures the timeliness and completeness of comprehensive incident demobilization and close-out activities.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 
  One year of experience as an Emergency Management Program Specialist 3, and
• Experience performing the functions of the Planning Section Chief position in an Incident Command Post (ICP) or Emergency Operations Center (EOC), or similar setting.

OR

• A Bachelor's degree, and
• Five years of professional level experience in emergency management, public safety (law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, search and rescue, hazardous materials), risk management, public works/engineering, managing critical infrastructure sector emergency functions (transportation systems, telecommunications, energy, water and wastewater systems, government facilities, nuclear facilities and materials, food and agriculture), financial management (grant, contracting, claims management, budgeting), training/education, public information/affairs, program/project management, environmental analysis/planning, legislative affairs, and/or urban planning, and
• Experience performing the functions of the Planning Section Chief position in an Incident Command Post (ICP) or Emergency Operations Center (EOC), or similar setting.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the education requirement. A Master's degree or Ph.D. degree will substitute for one year of the experience requirement.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference may be given to candidates who have:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in emergency management, homeland security, or public administration.
• IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400 training.
• All Hazards Planning Section Chief Position Specific Training (or equivalent).

Working Knowledge of:

• National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Incident Command System (ICS).
• National Qualification System (NQS).
• Function and responsibilities of the Operations Section and all Operations Section Branches, Divisions, Groups, and Units.
• Community Lifelines and Critical Infrastructure Sectors.

Experience:

• Performing the functions of the Planning Section Chief role in an Emergency Operations Center during response to large exercises and/or real-world emergency events.
• Gathering, analyzing, summarizing, and reporting on incident specific data or information to support response operations.
• Developing high quality written products to include reports, snapshots, briefings, infographics, and similar for a variety of audiences.
• Coordinating activities with a diverse group of stakeholders and participants.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Develop and implement plans in accordance with current state, federal, and supporting organizational directives.
• Provide training to staff of differing levels of experience and expertise.
• Develop and execute exercises and drills for a wide variety of participants of differing levels of experience and expertise.
• Understand and comfortably use different, new, and existing technology to improve processes, workflows, and perform daily job functions.
• Use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, TEAMS, and SharePoint) to develop documents in support of program objectives.

Supplemental Information

Compensation: Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

COVID-19 VACCINATION: Per Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14 employees of Washington Military Department must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. An offer of employment to the successful candidate is contingent upon providing verification of vaccine status, having an approved medical accommodation, or having an approved religious accommodation. (Accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.) For accommodation information, email accomodations@mil.wa.gov.

Background Investigation: Must successfully complete the appropriate background checks required for employment. Must be willing to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files. The processing of background checks can take up to six months post-employment. Failure to successfully pass a background check may be cause for termination.

Union Shop Provision: This position is covered by a union shop provision - Washington Federation of State Employees.

Driver's License:

• Valid to drive in the State of Washington.
• Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act. This is required for base access and will be required upon hire.

Military Facility: Willingness to work on a Military Controlled Access Installation.
Work Hours : A choice between a Tuesday through Friday (4/10 schedule): Monday through Thursday (4/10 schedule): or Monday through Friday (5/8 schedule). Actual hours will start no earlier than 6:00 am and end no later than 6:00 pm, and will include core business hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Telework: This position is eligible for telework. The incumbent will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance between remote and in person work based on operational need and employee preference. Reporting to the workstation for work activities or participating in-person meetings will be needed.

Emergency Assignment: Upon activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) or Joint Field Office (JFO), incumbent may be required to work in an alternate location with rotating shifts, including weekends and evenings, in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment.

Travel: Occasional statewide travel may be required up to 10% to include overnight stays.

Application Process

Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the "Apply" button and submit the following:

• A current state application profile, and
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions (Note that your responses to the supplemental questions will be used for interview selection), and
• Cover Letter (no more than two pages), and
• Resume, and
• A list of three professional references. Please include at least two past/current supervisors, one peer and subordinate if applicable. For each reference include the following:

• Name
• Professional Title
• Working Relationship
• Daytime Phone Number
• Email Address

** A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.

The information provided in your application must support your supplemental questionnaire responses. Responses not supported in your application and those referring to "see resume" will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

This recruitment may be utilized to fill additional Emergency Management Program Specialist 4 vacancies for an additional 60 days after the recruitment closing date.

If you have questions about the application process or this recruitment, please email Mistina Venesky at mistina.venesky@mil.wa.gov

The Washington Military Department is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruitment Section of State Human Resources at: Email: mistina.venesky@mil.wa.gov, Call: (253) 512-7389, or 711.