Performs journey-level professional emergency management duties in one or more of the four components of emergency management (preparedness, hazard mitigation, response and recovery) to coordinate program components, projects, and/or functions with state agencies, local jurisdictions, tribal governments, federal agencies, the private sector, and/or other states. Positions may manage small programs/projects.

Positions work independently under general supervision with delegated authority for the delivery of emergency management services as determined by the program manager. Responsibilities include tasks such as facilitating training and exercise plans; initiating response notifications; researching state and federal rules and regulations; monitoring grants and contracts and providing technical direction and assistance to jurisdictions.

Positions at this level may have program management responsibilities for small programs which have clear and defined procedures, precedents, and professional standards governing judgment used to select the most appropriate solutions.

Assignments normally involve making decisions and judgments within established precedents and limited impact.

Incumbents coordinate all aspects of program services, provide professional assistance and specialized consultation to program participants, staff, contractors, and outside entities, and recommending resolution for complex problems and issues related to the program. Incumbents assess program participants’ needs and develop specialized services and training unique to the program and responsive to the needs of participants.

Coordinates the elements of emergency management programs, projects, functions and activities that mitigate against disasters, prepare for disasters, respond to disasters, or recovery from disasters;

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

Serves as the primary point of contact for sub-grantees regarding financial and programmatic requirements;

Reviews grant and program progress, and provide technical direction and assistance to jurisdictions;

Performs sub-grantee monitoring to include compilation of information from grant agreement files, financial databases and audit findings; conducting site visits; documenting monitoring activities; and working with jurisdictions to collect supplemental or follow-up information;

Develops, negotiates, monitors and administers grants, contracts and/or budgets;

Manages program components of construction projects to ensure adherence to federal rules, regulations and grant guidance;

Develops, delivers, and/or evaluates emergency management training and/or education activities statewide in support of state and local emergency management programs;

Develops, reviews, evaluates, implements, or coordinates emergency management plans in support of local and state emergency management programs;

Develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Action Plans;

Researches state and federal rules and regulations, provides technical assistance and direction in support of state and local emergency management programs;

As a shift State Emergency Operations Officer in the Emergency Operations Center, initiates and coordinates emergency response services to include emergency notification, logistics management, resource coordination, warning dissemination, and Emergency Action Plan implementation;

Develops, manages, and/or participates in tabletop, functional or full scale exercises;

Develops, implements, and monitors various financial programs, grants, and contracts, and loans between the state and other public and private entities for the response and implementation of emergency management programs;

Records and analyzes data to develop reports and forecasts regarding program financial activities; brings concerns and/or recommendations to the program or section manager as appropriate;

Ensures contractual obligations are sufficiently funded within the program prior to processing payment;

Manages and implements resource management and logistical programs;

Maintains situational awareness of all hazards and threats that could adversely affect lives, property, environment or the economy of the state; determines appropriate actions necessary to support the local emergency manager’s or Incident Commander's objectives;

Determines and initiates appropriate level of local, state, tribal, interstate, federal, or international notification and/or response necessary to effectively and efficiently resolve the incident or support local jurisdiction's resolution;

Issues public alert and warning using appropriate technologies;

Provides notification to response and recovery stakeholders using appropriate technologies;

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

Develops specialized communications and warning plans and procedures; integrates communications plans and procedures into the state comprehensive emergency management plan;

Supports land or air Search and Rescue missions, as needed, within the parameters of defined direction and specifically delegated authority from the Division Director, the State Search and Rescue Coordinator, or the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division to perform required actions;

Assists organizations with development and evaluation of Continuation of Operations Planning;

Plans, coordinates, and administers the development and use of radio/wireless, telephone, cellular, Voice over Internet Protocol, microwave, satellite, specialized emergency management communications systems and/or networks;

Performs operational tests and operates various telephony, radio frequency, and Internet-based communication and information technology systems;

Coordinates the development, maintenance, and repair of specialized communication and/or power generation equipment;

Contributes to the development and application of emergency management outreach and activities that promote equity and inclusion;

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

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

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; and state and federal rules and regulations related to emergency management and personnel functions.

Ability to: direct, coordinate, monitor and evaluate a project or program component having a specific goal to be achieved within a specific time; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with the ability to interpret and explain complex rules and regulations; work in an environment requiring strong customer relations, negotiation and problem resolution skills; facilitate meeting groups and committees to gain consensus.

Two years of experience as an Emergency Management Program Specialist 1, 

OR 

A Bachelor’s degree and two 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.