Program Manager I

Job Description and Duties

Are you looking for an exciting and fast-paced career?

Join the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and be part of an organization that serves as a leader in emergency management and homeland security through dedicated service to all. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team. If you are interested in a challenging opportunity in a high-energy, team-oriented environment, you are encouraged to apply.

Under the general direction of the Program Manager II, the Program Manager I (PM I) plans, directs, and evaluates the work of the Readiness Unit to develop, maintain, and improve statewide recovery readiness policies, procedures, and tools. The Readiness Unit ensures that Cal OES Recovery Directorate maintains a fully prepared, skilled, and deployment-ready workforce by proactively identifying capability needs and developing the tools, training, procedures, and job aids required to support effective disaster recovery operations across California. The PM I ensures deployment training, position qualification support, and operational readiness for Joint Field Offices (JFOs), Area Field Offices (AFOs), and other recovery sites, while balancing routine workload with short notice tasks. The role includes supervisory responsibility for professional staff, administration of readiness programs, and the provision of technical assistance for, and development of, workshops and tabletop exercise that support recovery readiness and operational capability. May deploy to a JFO, AFO, or other recovery site to provide direct readiness and operational support.

The PM I advances recovery readiness objectives by fostering problem-solving, customer-focused innovation, and technical expertise; provides leadership in designing and delivering recovery-focused training initiatives; maintains accurate unit documentation, user guides, and standard operating procedures (SOP)'s; and ensures annual updates to readiness materials that support deployment and operational integration across recovery programs. Collaborates with other units to support system updates, process improvements, and operational enhancements within the deployment management system. Assists local governments and partner agencies by providing readiness guidance, coordination, and support to strengthen statewide disaster recovery capability.

Supports ESF-14 functions by coordinating information exchange between the State Operations Center (SOC) and Recovery during disasters. This includes sharing updates on recovery activities, receiving information on response operations, and ensuring alignment between response and recovery posture to support statewide situational awareness and decision-making. Contributes to inter-unit initiatives that improve readiness processes, supports updates to readiness tools and documentation, and assists with coordination efforts that ensure staff are prepared for disaster deployments. Anticipates the needs of disaster recovery operations, establishes and maintains relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and promotes organizational efficiency and operational excellence across readiness activities.

May be required to perform the same work tasks as subordinate staff, to ensure the mission, goals, and objectives of the unit/division/branch are met in the most timely and efficient manner.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located in the Recovery Readiness Unit in Mather, CA.

Hybrid Telework: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Additional in office days may be required based on the business need.

DMV Pull Program: Participation in the DMV Pull Program is required. The position(s) require(s) a valid Driver’s License (DL). You must answer the questions addressing your DL on your application. Ensure you provide your DL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Conflict of Interest (COI): This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code and is required to complete Form 700 within 30 days of appointment. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment.

Special Requirements

Application Package Requirements
To have your application considered for this job opportunity:

• List the Job Code (JC) and Position Number for this position in the “EXAMINATION(S) OR JOB TITLE(S) FOR WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING” section on the State Application, STD. 678.
• List your most current employment history first in the “EMPLOYMENT HISTORY” section on the STD. 678.
• Provide the “From” and “To” dates with the month, day and year, the “Hours Per Week” that you worked and the Total Worked (Years/Months). You may include overtime hours.
• You must complete the “DUTIES PERFORMED” on the State Application ( do not note “see attached resume” in this section ). Failure to comply and your application is considered incomplete.
• SROA and Surplus are encouraged to apply and must submit a copy of their letter.
• Please note consideration shall be given to work experience gained in a part-time or full-time job, regardless of whether the job was a paid or a volunteer position or was within, or outside of, state service.

If using education to qualify please submit a copy of your transcripts. If selected, official transcripts will be required. Foreign education must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency.

NOTE: Incomplete applications received may not be considered. Resumes are welcomed but do not take the place of the completed State Application STD 678. Applications received via fax or email will NOT be accepted. If you would like confirmation of receipt, please send certified mail.

**A candidate pool may be established for subsequent vacancies.**

**All hires may be subject to a criminal background check.**

**We encourage applicants to apply electronically.**

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Experience leading or supervising professional staff and managing program deliverables.
• Knowledge of disaster recovery, deployment readiness, and emergency management operations (e.g., JFOs, AFOs).
• Ability to develop and maintain SOPs, training materials, job aids, and readiness documentation.
• Skill in planning and facilitating training, workshops, tabletop exercises, or drills.
• Strong analytical skills to identify gaps, improve processes, and recommend solutions.
• Experience using deployment or personnel-readiness tracking systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including briefings and reporting.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with internal units, local governments, and partner agencies.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments with shifting priorities.
• Experience supporting interagency coordination, including ESF-14 or similar functions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to build positive working relationships and support continuous improvement.
• Proficiency with office software and ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Cal OES employees are eligible for a number of benefits and working for us is a great opportunity to join a committed team. Benefits include but are not limited to the following:

• Free Parking
• On-site Gym and Locker room
• Electric Carport
• Excellent CalPERS state pension plan
• 401(k) and 457(b) Plans
• Flexible Schedules
• Generous paid time off
• Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee or the employee's family
• Investment in careers development
• Located near many local eateries, financial institutions, and the Light Rail Station

Statement of Qualifications

All applicants must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Failure to include an SOQ may disqualify an applicant from consideration. A resume in lieu of the SOQ responses and a standard or generic SOQ may disqualify an applicant from consideration.

Please review the Duty Statement and the Desirable Qualifications.

The SOQ should specifically outline how you meet any or all the desirable qualifications outlined in the job posting and Duty Statement. 

SOQ FORMAT INSTRUCTIONS: 

• The SOQ should be no more than two pages, single-spaced in 11-point Times Roman font. Please include the question and number for each question. Submit as a Word document.

PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:

1. Describe a specific time you led a team that had to manage routine work while responding to urgent, short-notice tasks. What actions did you take, and how did your leadership style influence the way you prioritized work and supported your staff?

2. If you had to create a new program or process, how would you approach planning, stakeholder coordination, and implementation?

For assistance in uploading documents, including the SOQ, you may want to consider watching the following video from CalHR's Training Catalog:  Upload SOQ to your Application Package

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please refer to the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) section at the bottom of this job bulletin for the filing instructions and the SOQ Question(s). Applications submitted without the SOQ may not be considered.