Senior Emergency Management Specialist

Prince William County, VA

$70K — $125K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or G.E.D. with 5 years of professional emergency management experience.
  • Bachelor's degree in emergency management, public administration, public policy, or related field preferred.
  • Experience managing multiple complex preparedness projects simultaneously.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to prepare clear reports that translate complex data for diverse stakeholders.
  • Experience in emergency operations center environments required.

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate and facilitate multiple preparedness project processes with emergency management partners.
  • Develop and maintain all-hazard planning frameworks and operational documents.
  • Align planning projects with county and governmental policies.
  • Deliver emergency management training sessions.
  • Execute and evaluate discussion- and operations-based exercises.

Benefits

  • Retirement from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
  • 401a and 457 retirement savings plans
  • Paid Annual, Personal, and Sick Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Optional Group Medical and Dental Plans
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Career Development Opportunities
Full Job Description
Salary: $70,921.50 - $125,014.50 Annually
Location : Woodbridge, VA
Job Type: Full-Time (FT)
Job Number:
Department: FIRE & RESCUE
Division: COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION
Opening Date: 07/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
GRADE: C42
Hiring Salary: $84,444-$103,000 annually

Introduction
Are you looking to grow your career in Emergency Management? Are you a detail-oriented person who enjoys working on a variety of preparedness projects? Do you enjoy working on a blend of local and regional planning initiatives? If so, the Prince William County Office of Emergency Management has a career opportunity for you as a Senior Emergency Management Specialist!

As a Senior Emergency Management Specialist, you will manage multiple complex preparedness projects, including the development, revision, and implementation of planning documents, the development and delivery of training, and/or the development, execution, and evaluation of discussion- and operations-based exercises. This is accomplished through direct coordination with internal and external partners and team leadership, and using project management and organizational skills.
About This Role: This is a Mid-Level Emergency Management Planning position responsible for:
  • Routine coordination, collaboration, and facilitation of multiple, complex preparedness project processes and meetings with a variety of emergency management partners from concept development through implementation.
  • Development and maintenance of all-hazard planning frameworks, function and hazard-specific plans, and operational documents, including procedures, checklists, and job aids for preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities of the Emergency Management program.
  • Align and integrate planning projects with other county plans, policies, procedures, governmental policies, and complex planning principles.
  • Development and delivery of emergency management-related training.
  • Development, execution, and evaluation of discussion- and operations-based exercises.

During activations, the incumbent will be expected to fill a Section Chief or Branch Director role in the County's Multi-Agency Coordination Center; experience in an emergency operations center environment is also necessary for success in this role. The most qualified candidates will have this experience from a local or state emergency management agency.
Minimum Requirements:

  • High school diploma or G.E.D. and 5 years of professional emergency management experience.

Preferences:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in emergency management, public administration, public policy, or a closely related field.
  • The most qualified candidate will have:
  • Experience leading and managing the development and maintenance of multiple complex preparedness projects simultaneously. This includes project scoping, developing timelines and milestones, facilitating planning meetings with multiple stakeholders, writing documents for local, state, or federal planning processes, and delivering/executing training and exercises.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Experience preparing clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, studies, and plans that translate complex data-driven concepts and hazard risk messaging to a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Ability to maintain active listening in emergencies and other fast-paced environments to understand stakeholder needs and translate incident information to written planning section documentation.
  • Work history of disaster activation or multiple full-scale emergency management exercises in an emergency operations/multi-agency coordination center environment.
  • Strong customer service and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work independently.

Special Requirements:

Background checks, which may include but are not limited to: Criminal History Check, Credit History Check, Education Verification Check, License Verification Check, and/or fingerprinting, may be required as posted in the job advertisement.

Fire & Rescue Requirement: Effective October 2012, mandated by the Virginia State Board of Health 12VAC5-31-540, VA EMS Regulations require a criminal background check conducted by the Central Crime Records Exchange and the National Crime Information Center via Virginia State Police; and a driving record transcript from the individual's state Department of Motor Vehicles.

  • Must be able to perform duties outside of normal business hours
  • Must be able to periodically lift 20 pounds without assistance.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Professional Development Series (PDS) certification is required before the end of the employee's 1-year probationary period. VDEM-recognized certification in ICS-300 and ICS-400 is required before the end of the employee's one-year probationary period. If you have already earned the FEMA PDS and/or ICS-300/ICS-400, please attach it to your application prior to submitting.

Work Schedule:

Incumbents will generally work Monday - Friday during normal business hours, with the periodic need to work night or weekend hours in support of emergency or planned events. In the event of an emergency activation or planned event that requires staffing of an assigned Multi-Agency Coordination Center role, work will be on 12-hour shifts, potentially overnight, and may be for up to 14 days until incident conditions allow for a reduction in staffing levels. The nature of the position affords the periodic opportunity for flexible scheduling. Occasional telework is permitted during non-emergency operations.
Starting Salary Range: $84,444-$103,000 annually
We also offer great benefits including:
  • Retirement from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
  • 401a and 457 retirement savings and investment plans
  • Paid Annual Leave
  • Paid Personal Leave
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Optional Group Medical and Dental Health Plans
  • Optional Group Life Insurance
  • An Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Career Development Opportunities

Full time positions with Prince William County Government qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Click here PSLF for additional information.

NOTE: The above position description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department. To view the class description in its entirety, click here

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