Area Coordinator

Area Coordinator

Join the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Make a difference every day in Oklahoma's safety and resilience.

About OEM

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is a dynamic state agency dedicated to preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating emergencies and disasters across the State of Oklahoma. OEM plays a key role in statewide public safety by coordinating emergency planning, community preparedness, response operations, disaster recovery, and long-term hazard mitigation with local, tribal, state, and federal partners. The agency also maintains the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), providing centralized coordination during critical events and serving more than 300 local emergency managers across the state.

Why Work at OEM?

At OEM, you'll be part of a mission-driven team that strengthens communities before, during, and after disasters. Whether it's coordinating response efforts during severe weather, assisting communities with hazard mitigation planning, or providing critical support during emergencies, OEM employees serve with purpose and impact.

Benefits & Perks

As a full-time state employee with OEM, you receive:

• Competitive state retirement benefits with employer matching
• 11 paid holidays each year
• A generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents
• Opportunities for professional growth and cross-agency collaboration
• Priority interview consideration for U.S. veterans with appropriate certification. Veterans with certification letters from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services' Office of Veteran Placement are entitled to an interview for any position for which they meet minimum qualifications.

Who We're Looking For

We seek motivated, adaptable professionals who:

• Are committed to public service and community preparedness
• Can work effectively in team environments and high-pressure situations
• Are resourceful in problem-solving and coordinating across diverse partners

About the Position

We are seeking a Southeast Area Coordinator providing support to our Preparedness & Response division and serving local jurisdictions and partners in the southeast area of Oklahoma. This position is field based within the southeast area of Oklahoma. OEM offices are located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

This position is a regular, full-time position governed by the Oklahoma Civil Service system and subject to the Civil Service and Human Capital Modernization Act. Employment in this role is covered by applicable Civil Service Rules, policies, and procedures.

This position is subject to a required 12-month trial period, during which performance, conduct, and overall suitability for continued employment will be evaluated in accordance with Civil Service Rules.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Area Coordination Manager, the Area Coordinator performs a full range of professional duties involving consultative services, technical planning expertise, and emergency assistance to local and tribal jurisdictions to promote organization and discipline in the event of a disaster or emergency. The primary role of this position is to support local and tribal entities in emergency management programs. Additionally, this position supports the State Emergency Operations Center with emergency response both in the office and in the field. This position will primarily operate in the field across Oklahoma.

Typical Functions

• Work with FEMA Program Delivery Managers, FEMA Specialists, and the OEM Divisions of Recovery, Resilience, Individual Assistance and Finance to assist in administering all grant programs across the agency.
• Provide customer service, providing meetings with applicants along with FEMA personnel during a FEMA Presidential Declaration; organizes documentation regarding local resources and capabilities.
• Assist local, tribal, and state personnel conducting all Damage Assessments after disaster events.
• Support and document training and exercises.
• Collect documentation and assist with Fire Management Assistance Grants.
• During recovery field operations, assist with the FEMA grants program which includes the initial exploratory calls, applicant Recovery Scoping Meetings, documentation preparation, project development, assist with state permits, ensure the grant meets the federal required review process to grant obligation and attend the Recovery Transitional Meetings.
• Conduct small project validations with state, local, and tribal entities and helps to close projects.
• Provide technical assistance for software programs such WebEOC, FEMA Grants Portal, OKEMGrants, FEMAGo, and ARCGIS products and other applications as required.
• Provide technical assistance for functions including Advance of Funds, Alternate Projects, Improved Projects, Quarterly Reports, Time Extensions, Project change of Scope of Work, Large Project Close Out Requests.
• May be activated in various roles in the State Emergency Operations Center and/or in the field.
• Provide technical planning expertise and assistance to state, local, and tribal jurisdictions on all phases of emergency management.
• Assist local political subdivisions in developing and/or updating local Emergency Operations Plans (EOP's) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's); assists jurisdictions in evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of EOP's, programs, and the performance of emergency management offices in accordance with state and federal standards.
• Serve as a liaison to local and tribal jurisdictions for state emergency resources during disaster operations.
• Assist local and tribal jurisdictions in developing Area Strategic Plans to identify capability gaps and how to best close those gaps.
• Meet with local and tribal officials and groups to explain the purposes and functions of disaster recovery planning and program implementation; assists state and local officials with specific disaster recovery related problems and issues.
• Meet with local and tribal officials and groups to explain the purposes and functions of hazard mitigation planning and program implementation; assists state, local, and tribal officials with specific hazard mitigation related problems and issues.
• Work with local and tribal governments to determine training, exercise, and planning needs. Coordinate training in basic emergency management skills; performs public relations activities in addressing private and public groups and obtaining voluntary cooperation and participation of government officials.
• Serve as a Duty Officer on a rotating basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor's degree in business, public administration or urban planning plus one year of qualifying experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of experience in a technical capacity in emergency preparedness planning or emergency management operations, or in public assistance or disaster recovery operations at the local, state or federal level for each year of the required education plus one additional year of qualifying experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of state, federal, military, tribal, and civilian emergency response resources; of local and county concerns in emergency planning; of emergency response programs; of means of minimizing property damage and human discomfort once a disaster has occurred.
• Strong working knowledge of the principles and practices of program planning and project implementation.
• Maintains understanding of the theory, principles, techniques, and practices of disaster organization and preparedness; of public administration principles and practices; of state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to disaster recovery and assistance; of training techniques; and of charting and report writing.
• Proven ability to evaluate emergencies and adopt effective courses of action; to analyze and communicate emergency response advice to local officials; to encourage local compliance with state and federal emergency response guidelines.
• Proven ability to gather information from printed and other recorded sources; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to present ideas and facts clearly and concisely; to plan, coordinate, and promote various programs; to encourage citizen cooperation with disaster planning and relief efforts.
• Proven ability to develop practical plans and exercises; to test and evaluate response and recovery from natural hazards; to prepare and review complex reports; to anticipate, identify, and resolve problems; to maintain order among groups in emergency situations.
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Special Requirements

Must be able and willing to perform all job-related travel in-state and out-of-state when necessary, including overnight travel. Percentage of travel time: >75%. Applicants must possess a valid Oklahoma Driver's license at time of appointment and be willing and able to perform all job-related travel associated with this position; have and maintain the physical and mental stamina required to perform the work and to accept the physical discomforts and/or dangers associated with the work, including work under conditions of heavy physical exertion, extreme heat, smoke or dust, and to lift and carry heavy objects; and be willing to be on call twenty-four hours a day.

Preferences

• Prior completion of Department of Homeland Security NIMS training courses.
• Prior completion of any FEMA L or G level planning courses.