Emergency Preparedness Specialist

Location: Albany, NY Category: Professional Positions Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Mon May 18 2026 Job Description:

The Emergency Management Specialist plays a key role in developing, coordinating, and implementing emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs for SUNY System Administration. This position requires 2-4 years of relevant professional experience and is responsible for supporting the maintenance of emergency plans, delivering trainings and exercises, participating in response operations, and collaborating with both internal departments, external partners and SUNY Campuses to strengthen organizational resilience and ensure emergency preparedness.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Assist with the development, maintenance, and revision of emergency operations plans for SUNY System Administration.
• Support preparedness initiatives by developing and facilitating trainings, planning exercises, and preparing after-action reports.
• Participate in emergency response and recovery activities, including activation of State or Agency Emergency Operations Centers (EOC), incident documentation, and situation reporting.
• Contribute to campus outreach and preparedness activities through workshops, presentations, and creation of informational materials.
• Ensure all plans and activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and emergency management frameworks.
• Maintain accurate databases to track audit activities and compliance initiatives.
• Prepare guidance documents that support the adoption of system-wide initiatives across SUNY campuses.
• Assist with FEMA Recovery declarations, including documentation, tracking, and coordination with campuses, DHSES, and FEMA.
• Support hazard analysis workshops and risk assessments, utilizing findings to enhance emergency plans for campuses.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to remain current with best practices, regulations, and requirements.
• Be available to work extended hours, evenings, weekends, or on-call during emergency events.
• Perform additional duties and provide general support for all emergency services as needed.
  
  

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, or a related field.
• Two (2) - four (4) years of experience in at least two of the following areas:
• Coordinating and implementing emergency management or disaster preparedness programs, including plan development and revision.
• Designing, updating, and delivering trainings or exercises.
• Disaster recovery and experience working with FEMA.
• Representation in Emergency Operations Centers or leadership roles within the Incident Command System.
• Environmental Health and Safety program management, with an emphasis on Fire & Life Safety, Environmental Compliance, Occupational Safety, or Hazardous Materials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness and ability to work under pressure during emergency response efforts.
• Willingness and ability to provide Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coverage in locations outside the main office, including the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Emergency Management in Albany, NY.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating training and exercises using HSEEP principles.
• Experience working with government agencies or higher education institutions.
• Experience with disaster recovery, including FEMA's Grants Portal.
• Experience supporting Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations.
• Experience conducting training and exercises with emergency preparedness personnel.
• Familiarity with emergency management software and GIS mapping tools.
• Professional certification such as Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM).
  
  

Additional Information

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Standard work schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday. Flexibility is required, including availability for night and weekend shifts during emergency operations.
• Occasional travel to SUNY campuses for audits, trainings, and exercise planning is required.
• Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $69,000-$80,000 annually.
• The state title for this position is Environmental Health Officer (SL-4) and is part of the United University Professions Union.
• Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time. Generous amount of time off: 13 days of paid holidays per year; 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick time accrued for the first year of employment. Then increases thereafter. Please see our UUP benefits summary for additional information.
  
  

SUNY System Administration Benefits

SUNY System Administration provides an outstanding and comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family through the many life changes you may experience while you work for SUNY. Our nationally recognized benefits include:

• Retirement: The choice between a fully funded pension plan and a self-driven defined contribution plan, along with two supplemental plans to increase your ability to save for retirement.
• Health Insurance: Several health insurance options at an affordable cost that provide full coverage without mandatory deductibles.
• Time Off: Paid time off with separate vacation and sick leave accruals up to 21 days a year for each category.
• Additional paid leave policy options for childbirth, adoption, elder care, and other family care situations.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid schedules, are available depending on position.
  
  

Explore our full benefits offerings here: www.suny.edu/benefits