Exercise and Continuity Coordinator

Job Title

Exercise and Continuity Coordinator

Agency

Texas Division of Emergency Management

Department

Exercise Unit

Proposed Minimum Salary

$5,833.34 monthly

Job Location

Austin, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is an emergency response entity, and this status can affect working hours, travel, and changes in duties as needed.

*Salary is a fixed rate.

*This position is located on-site and not subject to telecommuting.

The Exercise and Continuity Coordinator, under general supervision, performs complex consultative and technical assistance work to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public. Work involves supporting the planning, developing, training, and implementing local, regional and state emergency management activities and programs.  Assists with coordination and support of strategic exercise and continuity program planning for emergency management, public safety or homeland security preparedness exercise programs and exercises.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides coordination of planning, design, development, training, and evaluation of emergency management, public safety, and homeland security preparedness activities, continuity activities, and exercises.

• Coordinates the design and development of a comprehensive regional or state-wide exercise program for TDEM regions and local jurisdictions including orientations, seminars, tabletops, drills, functional, and full-scale exercises to test emergency plans, policies, and procedures. 

• Convenes, coordinates, and facilitates internal and external workgroups to review, develop, clarify, and update the agency’s continuity management plans.

• Participates in the coordination, development, and maintenance of portions of comprehensive continuity management plans.

• Provides consultative services and technical assistance to local jurisdictions and state agencies.

• Facilitates meetings, presents at conferences and workgroups, and acts as the subject matter expert and representative for the preparedness exercise program.

• Support the coordination of emergency management programs with local governments, emergency response organizations, regional organizations, TDEM, other state agencies, volunteer groups, and private industry.

• Monitors outcomes of emergency management preparedness exercise and general preparedness initiatives.

• Ensures compliance with grant requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to emergency management and public safety.

• Serves as a liaison between federal, state, and local government agencies, volunteer group representatives, TDEM staff, and other potential emergency response entities to achieve positive preparedness activity outcomes and teaches exercise-related course materials.

• Compiles and/or reviews local and state after-action reports and improvement plans and provides input and guidance by request.

• Coordinates personnel assignments in support of upcoming exercises.

• Maintains state exercise calendar.

• Provides presentations and training across the state to facilitate interest in emergency management preparedness activities.

• Provides support and collaborates in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of preparedness projects including Texas Homeland security, and enterprise Texas A&M University System continuity strategy.

• Serves as a liaison to staff to explain and provide technical assistance on continuity and preparedness programs.

• Monitors and reviews compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and executive orders.

• Assists with preparing comprehensive reviews of statutes, executive orders, and policies and prepares administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.

• Assists in developing policy and procedure manuals, templates, and other guidance.

• Complies with state and federal laws, codes and Texas A&M University System and TDEM Policies and Procedures.

• Ability to travel (35%).

• Face-to-face and person-to-person interactions are required.

• Maintains a regular course of attendance during authorized work schedule and work extended hours when needed.

 

This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Other duties may be assigned.      

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education – Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Major or coursework emphasis in emergency management, emergency planning, or public administration is preferred.

Experience – Five (5) years of related experience in exercise design, development, coordination, and evaluation; facilitation of meetings and presenting of information; developing data collection processes; writing exercise documentation and writing proposals.

Preferred –  Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP) certification; Master Continuity Practitioner Level II (MCP)

* Additional work experience of the type described above may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis. Thirty (30) semester hours is equivalent to one (1) year of experience. A completed advanced degree may be substituted in lieu of work experience. 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS), including multi-agency coordination systems, emergency operations centers, and incident command operations in emergency response settings.

• Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to TDEM, state, and federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies, and procedures

• Ability to lead the development and implement exercise program activities.

• Strong and effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Must be detail-oriented and must possess excellent organizational skills with the ability to routinely, and effectively handle multiple tasks.

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) or Master Exercise Program (MEP) certification is desired.

• Ability to anticipate, identify issues, and solve problems.

• Strong organizational skills, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize to meet multiple, sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness, or professionalism.

• Adaptable to an ever-changing environment.

• Ability to lead large groups in conversation and collaborative planning with poise, tact, and diplomacy.

• Capable of maneuvering through difficult situations.

• Able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences.

• Strong customer service skills.

• Ability to research and analyze data and formulate findings.

• Ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.

• Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance, and dissemination of information.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and project management tools. 

• Ability to work extended or non-traditional hours such as evenings, weekends, special events, etc.

• Must have the ability to operate outside of normal working hours during State Operations Center (SOC) activation which may be away from normal duty station and in inclement weather for extended periods, including nights and weekends.

 

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE:

Complete and obtain certification in IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 FEMA courses, Professional Development Series or the Emergency Management Professionals Program (EMPP) Basic Academy and the Professional Continuity Practitioner – Level I within twelve (12) months of employment. 

*Additional Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) information can be accessed at:  http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

*Resumes are not accepted in lieu of an application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.