Operations Section Chief – Emergency Response

About the role

A national consulting firm providing emergency management services (planning, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation) is hiring a temporary Operations Section Chief for its State Emergency Response Team (SERT). The role works alongside the SERT Chief and the Planning Chief to set operational objectives and coordinate state and local response agencies. It is full-time or part-time, with 12-hour work days expected, and is based onsite at the Emergency Operations Center during the mission.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate priority missions and resource deployment with Operations Section Branch Directors, in line with operational objectives.
• Work with the AHIMT Unit Leader to deploy requested teams and manage mutual aid requests.
• Identify resource needs beyond state agency inventories and pass them to the Logistics Section Chief.
• Keep SERT operational objectives aligned with local needs through coordination with SERT field staff.
• Maintain communication with liaisons in affected areas via the SERT Field Operations Branch Director.
• Take part in Incident Action Plan meetings and operational meetings with Branch Directors and ESFs, resolving response issues.
• Manage tactical incident activities and oversee IAP implementation, translating leadership decisions into action across responders.
• Prepare a status report and recommendations by the end of the operation, and help build a transition plan.
• Supervise the development of Operations Section contingency plans.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management or another applicable field.
• Experience with the Incident Command Framework at state or federal level.
• Experience in an Emergency Operations Center or disaster response, including at least two activations or exercises in a supervisory or key support capacity.
• Preferred: five or more years of professional emergency management experience and a Master's degree.
• Preferred: Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and ICS position-specific certification.
• Eligible to work in the United States without employer-sponsored visa; must pass background and reference checks.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, especially Excel.
• Completion of IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700, IS-800, E/G/L-0191, E/L-0958 and O-0305 before receiving the task book.
• Strong critical thinking, strategic planning, problem solving, time management and decision-making under pressure.

What we offer

• Pay of $40-$55 per hour (USD 104,000-$114,000).
• Temporary position; benefits eligibility depends on legal requirements.