See Emergency Management Program Specialist 1.

Provides senior level oversight or administration in one or more of the four components of emergency management (preparedness, hazard mitigation, response and recovery) to facilitate multiple programs, projects, and functions (or major components of medium to large programs) with state agencies, local jurisdictions, tribal governments, federal agencies, the private sector, and other states and counties. May lead or supervise other Emergency Management Program Specialists.

Serves as lead to Emergency Management Program Specialists with responsibility for assigning, directing, providing guidance and checking work;

Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and controls two or more emergency management programs or a major component of a medium to large program;

Establishes, develops, and maintains cooperative relationships with other government entities, the business sector, community organizations, and/or local, state, tribal, and federal officials in support of emergency management programs, functions, and program goals;

Writes, coordinates, reviews emergency/disaster response plans and procedures;

Develops, prepares, administers and monitors reports, proposals, grants, contracts, loans, and budgets for designated emergency management programs, projects or systems;

Provides financial support to local jurisdictions and state agencies concerning compliance with program fiscal needs and activities;

Identifies funding priorities, prepares allotments, tracks expenditures, and reprograms funds;

Develops, negotiates, monitors and administers contracts for designated emergency management programs, projects or systems including evaluating and comparing contract proposals and ensuring contract deliverables are completed;

Leads the development, deployment, and maintenance of emergency management credentialing and certifications systems;

Develops and implements programs to issue, manage, and monitor long term mitigation loans ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and procedures;

Facilitates infrastructure and/or cyber security protection activities statewide through strategic partnerships with public, private, non-profit, and tribal activities;

Manages, delivers, and assesses training/education activities;

Plans, directs, and integrates the work of other program, function, or communications staff;
Develops policy positions related to program(s), function(s), or communications projects/systems;

Drafts legislation to respond to changing emergency management program requirements and prepares testimony for legislative hearings;

Serves as specialized communications manager and technical advisor for emergency communication(s) and warning system(s);

Serves as specialized communications project manager for system design, engineering, and implementation of statewide specialist communication(s) and warning system(s);

Develops, manages, and/or acts as an active participant in tabletop, functional or full scale exercises;

Serves in an operational capacity as a supervisor in the state Emergency Operations Center, Joint Information Center and/or field offices or command posts during emergencies and disasters;

Represents the agency at professional, local, state, regional, or national meetings related to emergency management program(s);

Develops and applies emergency management outreach and activities that promote equity and inclusion;

Serves as a coach, mentor, or evaluator for other staff working to achieve emergency management credentials;

Ensures or validates, as appropriate, applicable work activities are documented to maintain accreditation requirements through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program, Protected Critical Infrastructure Information, and others as applicable;

Serves in an operational capacity in the state Emergency Operations Center, Joint Information Center, field offices and/or command posts during emergencies and disasters;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of: principles of emergency management, the National Incident Management System, and the incident command system; performance management principles; concepts for development of training using adult learning styles; state and federal rules and regulations related to emergency management functions.

Ability to: develop, lead, direct, coordinate, monitor and evaluate projects or programs having a specific goal to be achieved within a specific time; lead and/or supervise staff; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to conduct training, provide proactive responses, advice, reports and comprehensive documentation; convey ideas and information in writing using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the listener/reader; employ leadership skills in making assignments, coaching, providing guidance and training staff.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Two years of experience as an Emergency Management Program Specialist 2, 

OR 

A Bachelor’s degree and four years of professional level experience in emergency management, homeland security, disaster mitigation planning, emergency communications systems, financial management (grant management, contracting, claims management, budgeting), training/education, public information/affairs, program/project management, scientific environmental analysis or planning, civil/structural engineering, legislative affairs, and/or urban planning. 

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the education requirement. A Master’s or Ph.D. degree will substitute for one year of the experience requirement. 

Note: Qualifying Program/Project management is defined as: Directing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating a project or program having a specific goal to be achieved within a specific time frame.

New class replaces 46013 Emergency Management Senior Program Coordinator; adopted June 1, 2005.
Revise class.  General revision; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Salary adjustment; adopted June 30, 2015, effective July 1, 2015.
Add class series concept, revise definition, add distinguishing characteristics; adopted February 11, 2016, effective February 12, 2016.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, knowledge and abilities and base range increase from 60 to 66; adopted June 23, 2025, effective July 1, 2025.