The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has responsibility for coordinating all-hazards disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation operations across Missouri. SEMA operates the State Emergency Operations Center and provides training, grants, and planning support strengthen Missouri’s resilience against natural and human-caused disasters. SEMA’s mission is to help our fellow Missourians prepare for, respond to, and recover from all emergencies. Each step will be guided by our core values of respect, integrity, trust, honesty, and compassion.

This position provides senior-level planning, policy development and program implementation for the Preparedness Division within the State Emergency Management Agency. Activities are collaboratively developed and implemented with local public health agencies, preparedness partners, and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Programs/capabilities are funded through the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP) Grant administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This position includes day-to-day public health preparedness planning, operations, training and exercising.

Job Description:

• Serves as the program lead for Capability 1 (Community Preparedness) and co-lead of Capability 11 (Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions) under the PHEP Grant.
• Creates and executes work plan activities that adhere to CDC guidelines for Capability priorities and tasks.
• Assists local public health agencies with developing appropriate work plan activities.
• Provides planning support and technical assistance to State agencies and local public health stakeholders.
• Serves as lead Continuity of Operations/Government (COOP/COG) Planner; develops, maintains, trains and exercises the SEMA COOP/COG Plan.
• Assists state partner agencies with COOP plan updates, best practices, and technical assistance.
• Develops non-pharmaceutical intervention guidance and instructions for the public.
• Serves as Planning Section Chief, Situation Unit Leader, and/or Resource Unit Leader during State Emergency Operations Center activations.
• Other related duties and projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong verbal, written, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement programs and/or manage projects
• Demonstrated ability of successful work with cross-departmental teams
• Writing program goals and objectives; tracking and reporting on success
• Experience developing, writing, implementing, assessing, and updating preparedness plans and procedures
• Experience facilitating and leading meetings
• Experience planning, developing, and implementing trainings and exercises
• Proficient in public speaking and technical presentations
• Ability to participate in drills, exercises, and training events
• Knowledge of the different types of private, volunteer, public health, and governmental emergency preparedness, response, and recovery programs and their purpose
• Experience with grants implementation and/or management
• Ability to develop and manage complex budgets to fulfill Capability tasks and priorities
• Ability to work overtime or unusual working hours during an emergency event

Qualifications and Requirements:

Candidates typically possess a bachelor’s degree and 4 years of experience in emergency management, public health, continuity planning, or a relevant field. Must possess, or be able to obtain within 2 years of employment, FEMA Level II Master Continuity Practitioner credentials.

Work hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday; overtime, work on holidays, nights, or weekends may be required during exercises, drills, or emergency activations. Flex time may be available. The position involves occasional travel within the state with some overnight travel, and minimal out-of-state travel.

If you have questions about this position please contact:

DPS.Hires@dps.mo.gov

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.