Hazard Mitigation Specialist

Muckleshoot Indian Tribe•Auburn, WA

About The Position

The Hazard Mitigation Specialist supports the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s emergency preparedness, hazard mitigation, communication systems, and response operations to help protect the Tribe and community members, property, natural resources, and culturally significant areas. The role develops and maintains emergency plans, evaluates natural hazards and wildfire conditions, and recommends measures to strengthen community preparedness and long-term resilience. It also oversees day-to-day readiness of emergency radio communication equipment, coordinates emergency notifications, and develops public information for community members and Tribal personnel. The specialist conducts field assessments, prepares technical reports and maps, coordinates educational outreach, and delivers emergency communication and preparedness training. The position serves as an Emergency Management Duty Officer, participates in emergency response activities, and supports Public Information Officer functions during incidents, exercises, and special events. The work requires sound judgment, technical expertise, cultural awareness, strong communication skills, and the flexibility to work independently during routine operations and rapidly changing emergency conditions. The role requires frequent movement between office, field, and community locations, including work outdoors in varying weather and potentially around smoke or dust. Evening, weekend, holiday, and non-business-hour assignments may be required. The employee may need to lift and carry items weighing up to 30 pounds and remain at an assigned emergency worksite during incidents and activations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Communications, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Geography, Natural Resources, Homeland Security, Information Systems, or a closely related field.
Three years of professional experience in emergency management, hazard mitigation, wildfire preparedness, or emergency communications.
Experience developing emergency preparedness plans, hazard mitigation documents, evacuation procedures, and technical planning materials.
Experience operating, maintaining, or coordinating emergency radio systems, two-way radios, and related communication equipment.
Experience conducting hazard assessments, reviewing geographic information, or supporting wildfire preparedness and cultural heritage protection activities.
Experience developing public information materials, conducting community outreach, and delivering emergency preparedness presentations or training.
Experience supporting emergency operations, incident response activities, emergency exercises, or emergency communication coordination.
Knowledge of emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation planning techniques, wildfire preparedness, evacuation planning, and mitigation practices.
Knowledge of emergency radio systems, communication operating protocols, Incident Command System, emergency operations procedures, cultural heritage protection, community preparedness, notification systems, and public information procedures.
Skills in radio system operation and troubleshooting, technical report writing, geographic mapping, public speaking, community outreach, instructional communication, emergency notification development, incident information coordination, wildfire hazard assessment, and field documentation.
Ability to interpret complex emergency planning and hazard information; communicate clearly under stressful and rapidly changing conditions; coordinate competing responsibilities with minimal supervision; maintain confidentiality and respect culturally sensitive information; establish positive relationships with community members; and respond effectively to emergencies requiring immediate action.
Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and movement between office, field, and community locations; ability to operate computers, tablets, radios, communication consoles, telephones, and related equipment.
Ability to walk across uneven terrain, forested areas, gravel roads, and outdoor locations in varying weather conditions; sufficient visual capabilities to review maps, technical documents, displays, hazard information, and notifications; and clear verbal communication for presentations, training, radio use, and response coordination.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry communication equipment, emergency supplies, outreach materials, or other items weighing up to 30 pounds.
Ability to work evening, weekend, holiday, and non-business-hour assignments and remain focused during stressful and rapidly changing conditions.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with culturally sensitive information, Tribal community preparedness programs, or heritage protection planning.

Responsibilities

Serve as a designated Emergency Response Team member and report to the assigned worksite during emergency activations, exercises, and response operations.
Act as an Emergency Management Duty Officer during regular and non-business hours, responding to incidents, coordinating assigned activities, and maintaining operational readiness.
Develop, review, and maintain FEMA-compliant hazard mitigation plans addressing natural disasters, wildfire threats, community vulnerabilities, and protection of culturally significant areas and resources.
Identify practical preparedness and mitigation measures that strengthen long-term community resilience.
Coordinate wildfire preparedness planning by identifying vulnerable locations, evaluating hazard conditions, and developing recommendations for community protection.
Conduct field assessments in forested areas, community facilities, and other locations to document conditions and support emergency planning.
Develop and maintain emergency preparedness procedures for evacuation routes, wildfire response, community notifications, communication coordination, and incident operations.
Review procedures and recommend updates based on changing conditions, operational needs, and lessons learned from exercises or emergencies.
Collect, review, and analyze geographic information, hazard data, wildfire trends, and preparedness records to support planning decisions.
Prepare technical reports, maps, assessments, and supporting documentation that communicate findings and recommended actions.
Operate, maintain, inspect, and test emergency radio systems, two-way radios, communication consoles, and related equipment.
Conduct scheduled radio checks, monitor communication channels, troubleshoot equipment problems, and coordinate corrective maintenance.
Develop and maintain emergency radio operating procedures, communication protocols, and field communication plans.
Coordinate radio system use during Tribal activities, special events, and emergency operations, including communication guidance for Incident Action Plans and monitoring operational needs.
Prepare, coordinate, and distribute emergency notifications, preparedness alerts, evacuation messages, and other public safety communications through approved notification systems and social media.
Ensure public safety messages are accurate, timely, actionable, inclusive, and understandable to community members.
Serve as a Public Information Officer or support assigned Public Information Officer responsibilities during emergencies, exercises, and special events.
Coordinate communication requests, track important messages, and relay critical operational information to designated personnel, including the Emergency Management Director, Chief Executive Officer, and Legal Department.
Develop educational materials, presentations, preparedness guides, and public information resources on emergency readiness, wildfire safety, evacuation procedures, hazard mitigation, and community protection.
Organize and conduct community outreach events, informational meetings, and preparedness workshops.
Develop and deliver training on emergency radio operation, communication procedures, emergency preparedness, and response activities for Tribal employees, community members, and Emergency Response Team personnel.
Provide practical instruction, equipment demonstrations, and operational guidance to strengthen communication proficiency and preparedness.
Coordinate meetings and planning activities with Tribal departments, community members, and emergency response personnel to support hazard mitigation, cultural heritage protection, and emergency preparedness.
Promote consistent communication, information sharing, and coordinated procedures across participating programs.
Participate in emergency operations, response activations, preparedness exercises, drills, workshops, and emergency simulations.
Provide radio communication support, incident message tracking, operational coordination, and planning assistance while responding to changing emergency conditions.
Maintain organized records of hazard assessments, mitigation plans, equipment inspections, radio testing, emergency procedures, training, outreach, and incident communications.
Coordinate updates to preparedness documents and operating procedures to support continuity of emergency management services and department operations.
Perform a range of office and field duties as needed, which may or may not be related to regular responsibilities.