Regional Disaster Response SME - Western U.S.

Title: Regional Disaster Response SME – Western US

Location: ** Field‑Based with travel across **Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico**

Compensation: $121,000.00 - $164,000.00 annually

Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and travel opportunities

About Ceres Environmental Operations

Ceres Environmental Operations (CEO) is a leader in crisis management, rapid response, and disaster recovery, committed to rebuilding stronger, safer communities. We specialize in emergency response, environmental services, planning, and consulting—including debris removal, blue roofs, logistics, debris management, demolition, recycling, forest management, and coastal and marine restoration. As a licensed general contractor, we offer unparalleled expertise to restore stability where it’s needed most.

Driven by Purpose, Powered by People

At CEO, we believe you're more than just an employee; you’re part of a team with a purpose and a meaningful mission. Every team member plays a vital role in restoring hope, helping communities recover and rebuild.

We value initiative, respect diversity, and give our people the freedom to lead. We offer competitive pay, travel opportunities, and a culture built on resilience and teamwork. If you show up with compassion, share the commitment, react with urgency, and deliver solutions, you’ll fit right in. We don’t just respond to challenges; we rise to them.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a highly experienced Regional Disaster Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support all‑hazards emergency response and recovery operations across the Western United States (WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM). This role provides leadership and technical expertise during large‑scale disasters. This includes wildfires and post‑fire flooding/debris flow, severe storms, high‑wind events, flash floods/riverine incidents, winter weather/ice events, earthquakes, and critical infrastructure impacts.

The SME is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing multi‑agency, multi‑county disaster operations across varied Western terrain while ensuring safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. This is a senior‑level field leadership role requiring strong decision‑making, prior federal/state/local disaster program experience (e.g., FEMA/USACE/State EMAs), and the ability to manage complex disaster environments.

Key Responsibilities

Disaster Operations & Field Leadership

• Lead on‑the‑ground operations in support of regional emergency response missions, including wildfire recovery (e.g., PPDR, CPDR, demolition, hazard tree removal, and ash/soil impacts), infrastructure stabilization, debris clearance, temporary repairs, and community restoration efforts.
• Manage multi‑county field operations during simultaneous or cascading disaster events across remote/mountainous terrain, ensuring continuity and operational consistency.
• Direct work crews, subcontractors, logistics teams, and equipment resources to achieve safe and efficient execution.

All‑Hazards Planning & Coordination

• Develop incident‑specific operational plans for wildfires, post‑fire flooding/debris flow, flash floods/riverine events, severe storms, winter weather, earthquakes, and high‑wind events.
• Create and implement sectoring plans, site activation strategies, routing/logistics plans, and resource deployment models tailored to Western geographies (mountain, desert, forest, and urban‑wildland interface).
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies, including FEMA, USACE, and **Western state emergency management agencies (e.g., Cal OES, WEMD/WA EMD, OEM/OR, IDHW/IOEM, MT DES, WY HLS, CO DHSEM, AZ DEM, Utah DEM)**, DOT agencies, utilities, forestry/wildland agencies, and municipal emergency divisions.

Site & Infrastructure Operations

• Support activation and oversight of incident facilities such as staging areas, temporary operations sites, command posts, or emergency support centers.
• Guide assessment and stabilization of impacted infrastructure (transportation routes, rights‑of‑way, access points, community assets), including steep‑slope and remote‑access planning.
• Ensure environmental and regulatory compliance for all operational activities.

Documentation, Reporting & Technology

• Oversee field documentation systems, including ADMS/LOADM or similar platforms, ensuring accuracy of data, reporting, and operational logs.
• Support Quality Control and Monitoring teams to maintain audit‑ready documentation throughout response and recovery phases.
• Provide leadership in after‑action reviews, improvement plans, and readiness assessments.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce company safety standards and regulatory requirements, including USACE EM 385‑1‑1 and OSHA guidelines.
• Conduct ongoing risk assessments, safety briefings, and hazard identification during high‑tempo operations, with emphasis on steep terrain, tree work, heavy equipment, traffic control, night operations, and weather extremes.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines across all mission areas.

Required Qualifications

• Direct large‑program disaster experience (required): Served in a leadership or field operations role on at least (5 ) disaster response, civil works, debris mission, or emergency infrastructure projects (federal/state/local; FEMA/USACE/State EMAs acceptable).
• (7 ) years of all‑hazards disaster response, emergency management, wildfire/flood recovery, or heavy civil/emergency field operations.
• Experience leading multi‑agency operations and coordinating with state and local EOCs.
• Strong understanding of Western disaster environments (wildfire impacts, post‑fire watershed hazards, steep‑terrain access, remote logistics, and flood/riverine dynamics).
• Ability to manage staff, subcontractors, and equipment in dynamic, high‑pressure field environments.
• Proficiency with field documentation systems (e.g., ADMS, monitoring platforms, GIS‑based tools, or similar).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel and deploy for extended periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Emergency Management, Quality Management, Environmental Science, Forestry, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience with **Western state emergency agencies, DOTs, utilities, tribal partners, county/municipal emergency management**, or ESF‑3 mission support.
• HAZWOPER 40, OSHA 30, USACE CQM certification, or ability to obtain.
• Background in public works, utilities, forestry, civil construction, debris management, or emergency infrastructure repair.
• Experience with operational planning, resource deployment, production tracking, slope stabilization/erosion control, or watershed protection.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership, communication, and situational awareness
• Ability to operate under pressure and make rapid, sound decisions
• Skilled in interagency coordination and incident management
• High accountability for data accuracy, documentation, and safety
• Adaptability to changing conditions, priorities, and operational demands

Physical Requirements and Environment

• Ceres provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants with sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law.
• Essential requirements may include:
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in adverse weather, disaster‑affected environments, and field conditions.
• Willingness to wear PPE, including hard hats, protective eyewear, steel‑toed boots, and other safety gear.
• Ability to safely navigate uneven terrain, burn scars, debris sites, and elevated or confined spaces.
• Commitment to following all safety standards and protocols.

Why Join CEO?

At CEO, you won’t just have a job — you’ll have a mission. Your work directly impacts the speed and strength of community recovery after disasters.

We offer:

• A collaborative, mission‑driven culture
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
• The chance to make a lasting difference for communities across the U.S.

Ceres Environmental Operations is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification is required at hiring. Ceres does not sponsor employment‑based visas unless otherwise stated.

E‑Verify: ** We comply with Federal law by verifying employment eligibility.

Salary : $121,000 - $164,000