Emergency Management Specialist III

Emergency Management Specialist III

Arlington County's Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management (PSCEM) is seeking an Emergency Management Specialist III (EMS III) to lead complex preparedness programs and staff within the Emergency Preparedness Unit. This position is responsible for building, sustaining, and improving the County's capabilities to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from all hazards by developing, implementing, and evaluating emergency plans, training, and exercises aligned with FEMA's Integrated Preparedness Planning Cycle.

The EMS III will coordinate with stakeholders across County departments, Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), regional partners, and state and federal agencies. The position will provide oversight of key planning programs (e.g. Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations), grants and contracts, and operational readiness for activation, serve in a leadership capacity during Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, and acts as a Duty Officer on a rotating schedule.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

• Managing and monitoring the Emergency Preparedness Unit's strategic and annual work plans;
• Leading complex preparedness programs that require coordination across County departments, regional partners, and external stakeholders;
• Developing and maintaining emergency response, recovery and continuity plans, including the Emergency Operations Plan, hazard mitigation plan, and the County's Continuity of Operations (COOP), ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements;
• Managing Emergency Support Function (ESF) program coordination;
• Coordinating training and exercise programs to build, assess, and sustain operational readiness across County departments and external partners;
• Managing budgets, grants, and contracts for preparedness programs, including leading grant application development;
• Performing the full range of supervisory duties, including hiring, assigning work, evaluating performance, mentoring, and providing feedback for staff, contractors, and consultants; and
• Serving in operational roles as EOC Manager during activations and rotating Emergency Management Duty Officer.

The Ideal Candidate:

• An experienced emergency management professional with expertise in preparedness planning, program leadership, and incident response;
• A candidate with proven success working across departments, Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), and with regional partners; and/or
• A leader who excels working in a high-pressure environment such as an Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Qualifications

Minimums:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Emergency Management, Homeland Security or related field; and
• Demonstrated progressive experience with multiple and complex programs administration and/or management which includes experience with emergency management planning or within the emergency management field.

Substitution: Additional progressive experience with multiple and complex programs administration and/or management may substitute for the education requirement. A Master's degree or higher in Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field may be substituted for some of the experience requirement.

Desirables: Preference will be given to applicants with experience in one or more of the following:

• Supervising staff, contractors, or consultants and performing the full range of staff leadership responsibilities;
• Coordinating across multiple agencies, departments, or Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) in a preparedness or response environment;
• Managing budgets, grants, or contracts related to emergency management or public safety programs;
• Developing and maintaining emergency operations plans, hazard mitigation plans, or continuity of operations (COOP) plans; and/or
• Leading or supporting Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations or incident response operations.

Special Requirements:

Please note: A complete application will include an attached resume highlighting how the candidate's background and experience align with the qualifications of this position.

• Emergency Management Institute (FEMA) Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 700, and 800 (or current equivalents) are required;
• ICS 300 and 400 (or current equivalents) must be obtained within six months of hire;
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence;
• The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or provide, an official driving record, and any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the driving record; and
• A pre-employment background check will be conducted and may include verification of criminal history, education, employment, and licenses/certifications.

Additional Information:

• Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is eligible for teleworking based on the needs of the department.
• This is not a full-time remote opportunity.
• The selected candidate must reside within a reasonable commuting distance (approximately a 60-mile radius) of the National Capital Region to support emergency response requirements.
• The selected candidate must be available to respond to emergency situations, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and must be able to provide 24/7 availability during emergency activations.

The official title for this position is Emergency Management Specialist III.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs.

As an Employer of Choice, Arlington County offers a generous benefits package.

Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Incomplete applications may not be considered.