Salary: $7,592.00 - $10,204.00 Monthly
Location : Pierce County - Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Military Department
Division: Emergency Management
Opening Date: 09/17/2026
Closing Date: 10/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Continuity Program Manager
Emergency Management Program Specialist 4
Camp Murray, WA

Reporting to the Preparedness Section Manager, the Continuity Program Manager is responsible to administer and provide expert-level coordination for statewide continuity of government and continuity of operation activities across all levels and branches of state and local government including state agencies, Tribal Nations, counties, and cities, and in coordination with federal government agencies. This position works under the administrative direction and provides continuity policy and decision-making guidance to EMD's executive management and the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government at all levels. In addition, this position represents EMD in emergency and continuity planning related areas for the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).

The state's Emergency Management Division is a civilian (non-military) division of the Washington Military Department.

Duties

• Serve as the principal subject matter expert and technical expert providing technical assistance, coordination and facilitation of the development, organization and management of a comprehensive continuity program.
• Provide technical assistance, coordination, and facilitation of the development and management of a Continuity of Government (COG) program that addresses how essential government functions and services will continue to be provided before, during, and following events and incidents, including catastrophic incidents.
• Coordinate with the Interagency Continuity Committee (ICC) leadership team for continuity of operations by state agencies and validate each state agency's completion of continuity of operations plans and annual exercises in accordance with state RCWs, executive orders, and directives.
• Local jurisdiction continuity subject matter expert providing information, outreach and education to local government emergency managers, officials, or Tribal representatives regarding continuity of operations and continuity of government.
• Serves in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Planning Section as the continuity planner for response activities, coordinating with affected state agencies, Tribal Nations, local jurisdictions (counties and cities), and federal agencies. Assist to ensure program or section maintains compliance with the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) guidelines and is prepared for regularly scheduled audits.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Option 1:
One year of experience as an Emergency Management Program Specialist 3,

OR

Option 2:

1. Bachelor's degree, AND
2. Five years of professional level experience in continuity of operations, emergency management, homeland security, financial management (grant management, contracting, claims management, budgeting), training/education, public information/affairs, program/project management, scientific environmental analysis/planning, civil/structural engineering, legislative affairs, or urban planning, AND
3. One year of experience in positions responsible for preparing, designing, exercising or reviewing continuity of operations plans, AND

In addition to one of the two options above:

Two years of applied experience in at least two of the following:

• Program management (coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating a project or program having a specific goal to be achieved within a specific time frame).
• Developing, preparing, monitoring, briefing, and evaluating budgets for grants and evaluating grants/contracts for federal, state, local governments, or private entities.
• Conducting research and analysis of policy.
• Operational experience in government or private sector in continuity of operations, emergency preparedness, mitigation or recovery programs.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the education requirement. A Master's degree or Ph.D. degree will substitute for one year of the experience requirement.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge/Experience:

• Subject matter expertise in continuity planning, response and recovery.
• Continuity and emergency management, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery activities.
• Emergency Operations Center or similar operational environment at the program or operational level.

Skills, abilities, and competencies to:

• Develop, prepare, monitor, brief, and evaluate budgets including evaluation or progress versus projected expenditures patterns.
• Develop professional program recommendations for continuity, preparedness, response and recovery activities.
• Research, analyze, understand, and communicate complex interdependent Continuity of Government and/or Continuity of Operations program issues.
• Coordinate policy and executive issues across affected agencies, internal program staff, and stakeholders.
• Provide program specific information, public education, and emergency preparedness training to internal and external stakeholders.
• Actively demonstrate a commitment to learning and growth.
• Demonstrate a willingness to take action to understand and meet the needs of others.
• Use Microsoft Office software programs for completion of variety of special reports, to include development of budgets, grant requests, training materials, exercise documents, letters, program-specific materials, and related support documentation.

Supplemental Information
Compensation: Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Investigation:Must successfully complete the appropriate background checks required for employment. Must be willing to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files. The processing of background checks can take up to six months post-employment. Failure to successfully pass a background check may be cause for termination.
Driver's License:

1. Valid to drive in the State of Washington.
2. Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act. This is required for base access and will be required upon hire.

Military Facility: Willingness to work on a Military Controlled Access Installation.
Camp Murray utilizes the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) for entry to the installation. Must meet access requirements / background check which can be found in the ). This includes possession of an Enhanced Driver's License, or other REAL ID Compliant Identification.

Union Shop Provision: This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Work Hours: The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day, or a four-day per week schedule, 10 hours per day, with either Mondays or Fridays off. The actual work hours will be established between the employee and supervisor and will start no earlier than 6:00am and end no later than 6:00pm.

Telework: This position may be eligible for some telework. The incumbent will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance between remote and in-person work based on operational need. Reporting to the workstation for work activities and participating in in-person meetings is required.

Emergency Assignment: Upon activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) or Joint Field Office (JFO), incumbent may be required to work in an alternate location with rotating shifts, including weekends and evenings, in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment.

Travel: Requires the ability and willingness to independently travel throughout the state, sometimes overnight, to attend meetings and conduct public outreach and training.

** HOW TO APPLY **

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically via www.careers.wa.gov. It is very important that the "Work Experience" and "Supplemental Questionnaire" portion of the application is completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) professional references. Please include at least two (2) past/current supervisors, one peer and/or subordinate, if applicable. For each reference include the following:

• Name
• Professional Title
• Working Relationship
• Daytime Phone Number
• Email Address

NOTE: This information may be entered in the "References" section of the online application or can be an attached document.** A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.
Incomplete applications may disqualify you from eligibility for the position. You must ensure all application areas, including supplemental questions, are completed in full.

This recruitment may be utilized to fill additional Emergency Management Specialist 4 vacancies within 60 days after the recruitment closing date.
If you have questions about the application process or this recruitment, please email Mistina Venesky at [email protected]

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