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: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: 7/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionState Emergency Operations Center Planning Section Chief
Emergency Management Program Specialist 4
Camp Murray, WA This recruitment has been republished for an additional two weeks. Applicants' that previously applied do not need to reapply. Under the direction of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Manager, the State EOC Planning Section Chief serves as the primary and lead Planning Section Chief for the Washington State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and in that role oversees and directs effective section activities as outlined in the SEOC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and as called for in National Incident Management System (NIMS) Doctrine for all aspects of incident response.
This is a state agency civilian position and does not require military service affiliation.
DutiesResponsibilities include:- Directly supervises any staff temporarily assigned to the SEOC Planning Section Chief.
- Serves as Planning Section Chief in the SEOC during and after EOC activations; supporting response to and recovery from emergency incidents, planned special events, and exercises.
- Trains and prepares SEOC staff assigned to the SEOC Planning Section.
- Provides expert level individualized and general support to SEOC staff through training, exercises, and credentialing.
- Leads and oversees the organization of and work performed by all staff assigned to and serving in the SEOC Planning Section to support effective and engaged SEOC staff members.
- Serves as lead for the SEOC Planning Section for preparedness, response, and recovery activities, including before, during, and after activations of the SEOC.
- Supports the credentialing and qualification efforts of SEOC staff assigned to the SEOC Planning Section.
- Builds close working relationships with and ensure effective coordination and communication with key partners before, during, and after SEOC activations.
- Develops, maintains, organizes, and supports SEOC situational awareness products and systems, response planning efforts, and pre-incident planning.
- Performs (rather than oversees) functions of the SEOC Planning Section if staff are not assigned to perform them.
QualificationsREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:- One year of experience as an Emergency Management Program Specialist 3, and
- One year of lead and/or supervisory experience.
OR- A Bachelor's degree, and
- Five years of professional level experience in emergency management , public safety (law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, search and rescue, hazardous materials), logistics, risk management, public works/engineering, managing critical infrastructure sector emergency functions (transportation systems, telecommunications, energy, water and wastewater systems, government facilities, nuclear facilities and materials, food and agriculture), financial management (grant, contracting, claims management, budgeting), training/education, public information/affairs, program/project management, environmental analysis/planning, legislative affairs, and/or urban planning. and
- One year of lead and/or supervisory experience.
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:Preference may be given to candidates who have:Education:
- Bachelor's degree or master's degree in emergency management, homeland security, or public administration.
- IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400 training.
- All Hazards Planning Section Chief Position Specific Training (or equivalent).
Working Knowledge of:
- National Incident Management System (NIMS).
- Incident Command System (ICS).
- National Qualification System (NQS).
- Functions and responsibilities of the Planning Section and all Planning Section Branches, Divisions, Groups, and Units.
- Community Lifelines and Critical Infrastructure Sectors.
Experience:
- Performing the functions of the Planning Section Chief position in an Incident Command Post (ICP) or Emergency Operations Center (EOC), or similar setting during response to large exercises and/or real-world emergency events.
- Gathering, analyzing, summarizing, and reporting on incident specific data or information to support response operations.
- Developing high quality written products to include reports, snapshots, briefings, infographics, and similar for a variety of audiences.
- Coordinating activities with a diverse group of stakeholders and participants.
Skills and Abilities to:
- Develop and implement plans in accordance with current state, federal, and supporting organizational directives.
- Provide training to staff of differing levels of experience and expertise.
- Develop and execute exercises and drills for a wide variety of participants of differing levels of experience and expertise.
- Understand and comfortably use different, new, and existing technology to improve processes, workflows, and perform daily job functions.
- Ability to take action to meet the needs of others
- Ability to take action to learn and grow.
- Use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, TEAMS, and SharePoint) to develop documents in support of program objectives.
Supplemental InformationCompensation: Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENTUnion Shop Provision: This position is covered by a union shop provision - Washington Federation of State Employees.
Driver's License:- Valid to drive in the State of Washington.
- 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 uses 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.
Work Hours: A choice between a Tuesday through Friday (4/10 schedule): Monday through Thursday (4/10 schedule): or Monday through Friday (5/8 schedule). Actual hours will start no earlier than 6:00 am and end no later than 6:00 pm, and will include core business hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Telework: This position is 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 and employee preference. Reporting to the workstation for work activities or participating in-person meetings will be needed.
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: Occasional statewide travel may be required up to 5% to include overnight stays.
Application Process
Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the "Apply" button and submit the following:- A current state application profile, and
- Responses to the Supplemental Questions (Note that your responses to the supplemental questions will be used for interview selection), and
- Cover Letter (no more than two pages), and
- Resume, and
- A list of three professional references. Please include at least two past/current supervisors, one peer and subordinate if applicable. For each reference include the following:
- Name
- Professional Title
- Working Relationship
- Daytime Phone Number
- Email Address
** A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.The information provided in your application must support your supplemental questionnaire responses. Responses not supported in your application and those referring to "see resume" will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.
This recruitment may be utilized to fill additional Emergency Management Program Specialist 4 vacancies for an additional 60 days after the recruitment closing date. If you have questions about the application process or this recruitment, please email Geri Harding at
[email protected] 
