Utah State Defense Force

State of Utah • Draper, UT

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Executive serves as the primary subject matter expert on the strategic integration, legal framework, and operational establishment of the Utah State Defense Force (USDF). This is a senior-level leadership role where expertise in military-civilian oversight and state-level emergency response policy is preferred but not required. The incumbent operates with nearly total autonomy, providing direct counsel to The Adjutant General (TAG) and other Utah National Guard leaders, state legislators, and emergency management executives to shape the future of Utah’s non-federalized defense force assets. This role is distinguished by its responsibility to translate high-level strategic goals into the state- level regulations and operational guidelines that govern Utah’s readiness for domestic response.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree preferred: Must be from an accredited college or university in Public Policy, Public Administration, Military Science, Political Science, Statistics, Economics, Emergency Management, or a closely related social science/research field.
• Must be able to obtain a secret security clearance.
• 10+ years of experience in program management, ideally within a military, defense, or emergency management framework.
• A proven track record of directing complex projects involving fiscal impact analysis or public policy development.
• Significant experience consulting with the National Guard, State Defense Forces, or DoD. Deep understanding of the distinction between Title 32 and State Active Duty (SAD) status is critical.
• Experience directly advising elected officials or military general officers, with a history of producing "Executive Summaries" for cabinet-level review.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-visibility projects where errors in judgment would have significant political or financial repercussions.
• Specific familiarity with Utah Code Title 39A and the Utah Emergency Management system is preferred.
• Requires occasional travel throughout the State of Utah.
• Must be able to maintain a high level of confidentiality due to the sensitive nature of military and state defense data.
• Incumbent is "At-Will" and serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
• You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in military-civilian oversight and state-level emergency response policy is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the USDF’s long-term roadmap, ensuring all initiatives align with statewide defense priorities and UTNG joint-force objectives.
• Coordinate the recruitment, vetting, and training of USDF personnel to maintain a high state of readiness for emergency response, infrastructure protection, and civil support.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the USDF, the Utah National Guard, the Governor’s Office, and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) pertaining to active state missions.
• Ensure all USDF activities comply with Title 39A of the Utah Code and applicable Department of Defense (DoD) regulations regarding State Defense Forces.
• Oversee the USDF’s annual legislative appropriations, managing procurement, equipment lifecycle, and resource allocation within state fiscal guidelines.
• Draft and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), white papers, and legislative briefings to secure continued support and funding from state leadership.

Benefits

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Senior