Emergency Management Specialist - Department of Human Services

El Paso County•El Paso, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

El Paso County Department of Human Services is seeking an experienced emergency management professional passionate about continuity of operations, community preparedness, and response. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in the development, training, and execution of continuity of operations plans in response to emergency situations and disasters. They would hold a passion for the mission and vision of The Department of Human Services, and a strong aptitude for community engagement and partnership in support of ESF-6 planning, preparedness, and execution. This is not an entry-level role; it’s a hands-on position for someone who has developed emergency management plans, led exercises, coordinated across agencies, and can step into leadership roles during disasters. This role requires regular in-person presence with the ability to respond quickly during emergent events. We’re looking for professionals who understand the realities of emergency management and are motivated by department preparedness, public service, sound judgment under pressure, and meaningful community impacts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, organizational leadership, emergency management, homeland security, natural resources, natural sciences, or a related field from a regionally accredited college.
Four years of related professional experience may substitute for the required degree.
Three years experience in emergency management or similar field including, but not limited to, first responder experience.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Must have or be able to complete ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800, and the FEMA EMI Professional Development Series within one year of hire, based on classroom availability.
Must have or be able to complete HSEEP within one year of hire, based on classroom availability.
Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.
Must be honest, truthful, and trustworthy, possessing a high degree of personal integrity.
Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to provide excellent customer service.
Demonstrated ability during normal and emergency operations to apply critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Demonstrated ability to develop and write professional and practical emergency plans, processes, policies, and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to develop and present emergency services training and education programs.
Ability to respond in a flexible manner and reprioritize work as situations change; skill in prioritizing multiple tasks and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner.
Ability to communicate, motivate, and organize projects among a broad spectrum of personnel and community partners region-wide, frequently under deadline pressure.
Ability to use Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, fax machine, telephone, copier, calculators, scanners, plotters, and radios.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function.
Position may require on-call rotation for response activities as they occur and may require work outside of normal business hours.
Work is subject to duty without advance notice during emergencies or disasters and must be able to report within one hour to respond to an emergent event.
Must have access to reliable transportation to allow flexible and rapid relocation to support emergency response.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of American Disability Act (ADA) programs and related Federal and State law preferred.
Two years of experience creating or implementing emergency response plans.
Two years of experience with Emergency Support Function 6 (ESF-6).
Two years of experience in COOP planning.
Two years of experience in social services.
If assigned to Public Health, employees are responsible for providing proof of vaccinations and/or tuberculosis testing as applicable to the specific position and must provide proof of completion of required vaccinations/testing or proof of initiation within sixty days of hire date.

Responsibilities

Responsible for developing and updating emergency plans to incorporate government, business, nonprofit, and community/citizen involvement.
Provides coordination, support, and staffing for emergency planning, exercises, training, recovery operations, special events, and Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) operations.
Supports program priorities, goals, and the mission and vision of the organization.
Responsible for ensuring information and emergency notifications, support resources, and coordination are provided during an emergent event, adhering to operational priorities of saving lives, protecting property, protecting the environment, and stabilizing the community.
Develops and maintains professional relationships between the organization and various agencies, municipalities, and military installations within El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs to ensure whole community emergency management planning and integration.
Incorporates stakeholder input and participation from local agencies, municipalities, nonprofits and other agencies as required for disaster prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery activities, ensuring that plans, processes, and procedures are inclusive and unified.
Establishes, writes, updates, coordinates, and maintains all-hazards emergency plans, including directing the planning team, setting the planning schedule, soliciting and incorporating feedback and inputs into the plan, finalizing the draft plan, and managing the approval process for the plan.
Plans, conducts, and participates in exercises, including independently identifying an exercise need, developing and supervising an exercise team, identifying goals and objectives, completing logistics, and scheduling and conducting the exercise as the exercise director.
Coordinates with internal staff/stakeholders, regional partners such as, El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs, key officials and departments, external agencies, citizen groups, and individual citizens for community disaster and emergency preparedness; coordinates with local nonprofit organizations and local businesses that provide support during emergencies.
Presents emergency management training and education programs.
Provides presentations on emergency management topics at civic group meetings, businesses, schools, and facility forums.
Leads disaster/emergency events and activations as directed, including, but not limited to, serving as the ECC Director, establishing and maintaining liaison between the Incident Commander and the ECC, supervising the ECC and/or its sections (and those persons who staff those areas), and maintaining liaison with other Emergency Operations Centers.
Serves as a liaison and representative to the El Paso County and City of Colorado Springs Communications departments/offices, to the Joint Information Center during activations, for emergency messaging and notifications, and for proactive media opportunities in the community.
Responds directly to citizen and partner requests, complaints, and feedback.
Responds to emergency situations with poise and calmness, providing pertinent communications to necessary parties.
Trains, supervises, and evaluates volunteers during normal operations, training, exercises, incidents, and emergencies.
Assists in maintaining an operational ECC. This includes training on and operating computer system, software programs, A/V systems, and having the ability to train and instruct partners and other staff members as well.
Responsible for operational maintenance and inventory control of assigned supplies and equipment.
Manages and ensures p-card purchases are in compliance with County policy and procedures.
Coordinates and manages short-term and long-term recovery activities.
Plans and organizes meetings, creates and maintains written documents, and is responsible for the coordination of communication.
Represents PPROEM during meetings, conferences, and working groups.
Operates as the PPROEM on-call duty officer for 24/7 contact, as scheduled.
Ensures compliance with county, state, and federal laws and regulations for assigned grants, plans, and procedures.
Maintains personal capability (knowledge, skills and abilities) by attending training events and programs and attaining applicable certifications.
As assigned, may provide supervision or direction to others during emergencies.
May present emergency management issues and recommendations to boards, commissions, and other jurisdictional and community organizations.
May be assigned to administer applicable websites/platforms and provide content for the site.
May be responsible for identifying, researching, and applying for grant opportunities; may monitor and report grant funding activities and opportunities.
Performs other duties as required.