The Homeland Security Planner position is a professional position in regional homeland security and public safety within COG, inclusive of activities within the domains of emergency management, fire and rescue, law enforcement, public health, transportation, among others. Daily activities for this position include providing technical expertise, planning, and coordination support to regional stakeholders and conduct research and analysis for a variety of working groups within COG’s Department of Homeland Security and Public Safety (DHSPS).

The Homeland Security Planner series includes three levels: Planner II, Planner III, and Planner IV. Specific responsibilities vary slightly at each level and depend on background and work experience.

Description

Based on level of experience, specific work responsibilities of the Homeland Security include:

• Facilitating (or assisting in facilitating) meetings with high-level stakeholders, while documenting and tracking action items and decision-making.
• Drafting and preparing agendas, meeting materials, and summaries for inter-disciplinary and executive committees and working groups.
• Organizing, coordinating, documenting, tracking outcomes, and conducting follow-up activities for meetings, working groups, committees, and similar entities.
• Drafting and preparing reports, fact sheets, and other documents on topics related to homeland security and public safety.
• Assisting in the development, maintenance, and review of regional plans and policies.
• Supporting the development and implementation of project work plans for inter-disciplinary and executive committees.
• Drafting PowerPoint presentations, briefing documents, talking points, and other materials for use by internal and external stakeholders.
• Researching and synthesizing information on technical matters related to homeland security and provide the information in the form of oral and written reports and summaries, presentations, and responses to requests from stakeholders.
• Moving stakeholders forward on identified action items and decisions.
• Providing input on policy and strategy matters in the form of oral and written reports and responses to requests for information or data.
• Creating easily accessible data visualization and graphics for use in stakeholder documents and products.
• Maintaining positive, trusting work relationships with coworkers and regional stakeholders.
• Managing (or assisting in managing) a variety of highly specialized and technical problems in support of local officials and the public.
• Assisting in planning and hosting homeland security and public safety related exercises, conferences, seminars, training sessions, and other special events.
• Attending professional conferences and training sessions as a representative of COG.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Professional Experience

Planner II: Possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant professional field with a minimum of two years office experience or equivalent combination of education and experience,

Planner III: Bachelor’s degree in relevant professional field with a minimum of three years work experience in homeland security or related field, such as emergency management, public safety, defense, politics, public health, or public policy. Master’s Degree in related field, with one to two years post-graduate work preferred.

Planner IV: Bachelor’s degree and five or more years of professional experience in emergency management or related fields, such as defense, politics, public health, or public policy; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to the major duties of this position. Preferred: A master's degree from an accredited university; and thorough knowledge of intergovernmental coordination.

Supervisory Responsibilities

At the Planner IV level responsibilities may include supervision of contract staff or management of discrete projects with assigned staff peers. Planner II and Planner III positions will not include supervisory responsibilities.

Communication Skills

Demonstrated strong skills in verbal, written, and interpersonal communication, including experience condensing complex topics to concise summaries appropriate for the public; ability to present information one-on-on and groups of stakeholders and other employees of the organization. An understanding of boundaries in the presence of stakeholders, including politicians and agency leadership, and when/where to add a value-adding opinion.

Preferred: experience in data visualization, the development of process figures, and graphic design; experience developing original drafts of governmental doctrine and/or policy; and/or experience with public outreach methods.

Critical Thinking/Reasoning Ability

Demonstrate working knowledge of principles and practices of homeland security, public safety, and emergency management; ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical documents; ability to respond to common inquiries from stakeholders, and a thorough understanding of when to escalate issues.

Computer Knowledge and Skills

In-depth understanding of the Microsoft Office Suite of programs, including Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and SharePoint. Experience with Adobe InDesign or comparable desktop publishing software.

Quality of Work/Organization

Demonstrated accuracy and thoroughness in written documents and communications, looking for ways to improve and promote quality of work. Demonstrated strong organizational skills, ability to maintain accurate files; ability to multi-task; detail-orientated with high degree of accuracy.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Professional certification will be included in consideration of acceptable experience and training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel objects or controls and talk or hear. Work is also occasionally performed in the field, requiring the ability to operate a motor vehicle to travel to various locations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

This position is a hybrid remote role that will require three days per week on-site.

Salary Ranges Depend on qualifications:

Planner II (Grade 6) - $66,422 - $96,512

Planner III (Grade 7) - $73,728 - $107,128

Planner IV (Grade 8) - $84,037 - $118,912