Emergency Management Consultant

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

Emergency Management Consultant Position Summary This critical position involves leading and coordinating company efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from adversity, which is characterized by widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life, property, and/or reputation due to natural, technological, or human-caused incidents. The Emergency Management Consultant plays a pivotal role in developing and maintaining emergency management program activities, including collaborating with partners, developing emergency plans, and conducting preparedness training and exercises at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in English, Creative Writing, Technical Writing, Emergency Management, Public Policy , or related discipline, or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge is required.
5+ years of experience in a business continuity and/or emergency management discipline is required. Experience within the energy sector or a similar critical infrastructure environment is preferred, however, candidates with significant experience within the National Preparedness Framework (i.e. DHS/FEMA National Incident Management System/Incident Command System- NIMS/ICS) will be considered.
Business Continuity or Emergency Management professional certification or ability to obtain within one year.
Completion of or enrollment in at least one of the following DHS/FEMA National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU) programs with ability to complete within one year: Public Information Officer (PIO) Emergency Management Professional (EMP) National Standard Exercise Curriculum (NSEC) Planning Practitioner Program (PPP) Continuity Excellence Series (CES) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Excellent communication, negotiation, and liaison abilities.
Strong understanding of business continuity, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery concepts.
Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment, in-person and remotely. Candidates must be self-directed and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree is desirable.
Certification as an emergency manager (CEM) by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) or similar state-level program.
Instructor certification recognized by DHS or state-level equivalent.
DHS/FEMA Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP) certification.
Completion of the DHS/FEMA Continuity Excellence Series (Level II Master Continuity Practitioner).
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Infrastructure Protection Certificate or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the development and maintenance of Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs). Ensure planning efforts are vertically and horizontally integrated within a planning framework consistent with state and federal requirements and industry best-practice recommendations. Plans include functional and hazard-specific annexes consistent with DHS/FEMA Comprehensive Planning Guidance (CPG 101) and other applicable authoritative sources.
Identify required and recommended preparedness training, assign courses, and track course completion in an automated Learning Management System (LMS). Provide training as an instructor to diverse audiences which may include field personnel and first responders up to executive leadership and federal, state, and local government agencies that interact with Xcel Energy.
Conduct and assist others to develop, conduct, and evaluate required and recommended preparedness exercises consistent with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP). Design and facilitate training and exercises consistent with the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation program (HSEEP) and manage the programmatic review of emergency operations plans, exercises, and program development.
Represent Xcel Energy to local, state and national groups (Offices of Emergency Management, Public-Private Partnerships, Industry groups, Community Emergency Response Teams, and government agencies); ensure consistent messaging and unity of effort through appropriate internal collaboration. Routinely communicate with internal and external partners to ensure awareness and understanding of the company's emergency management programs and strategy. Interface with city/county/state and federal emergency management officials and other government partners. Employ strong technical writing skills , exceptional attention to detail , and the ability to translate complex engineering, legal, logistical, and emergency management concepts into clear, concise, and user-friendly documentation. Research and understand complex regulatory and legislative requirements and explain these requirements to others.