Director of Planning and Preparedness

Introduction:

We are a leading, national consulting firm that provides compassionate, full-spectrum emergency management services including planning and preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation services to the public and private sectors before, during and after a natural disaster or catastrophic event.

Our mission is to provide compassionate consulting services to local, state, federal, and industry clients, active in disaster response, recovery, and preparedness. We will be on time, on target, and on budget with the services aligned to the evolving threats and hazards facing our nation.

The position will be guided by ACDC’s Corporate Values Platform in all activities.

Position Summary:

• Job Title: Director of Planning and Preparedness
• Full Time or Part Time: Full Time
• Temporary/Seasonal/Regular: Regular
• Compensation: 100k to 130k/year
• Travel/Location: Remote with travel and deployment required

Benefits Summary:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Short-Term Disability/Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) Account with Company Match
• Paid-Time Off (PTO): Annual Leave and Sick Leave Accruals
• Paid Parental Leave
• Training and Professional Development Opportunities
• Wellness Benefits/Allowance
• Corporate Computer
• Time off to Volunteer
• Cell Phone Allowance

Mission of Role/Position Summary:

The Director of Planning and Preparedness will provide strategic oversight and leadership for multiple local, state, and federal engagements in the planning, training, and exercise space. This position is responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive emergency management programs consistent with the ACDC Corporate Values Platform. Examples of engagements include but are not limited to emergency operations plans, continuity of operations plans, program assessments, exercise development, and after-action reporting. This role reports directly to the Vice President of Planning and Risk Reduction and will contribute to client support, business development and organizational strategy.

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Leadership & Management:
• Oversee and mentor a team of emergency management planners, ensuring high-quality project delivery and professional development.
• Set strategic direction for emergency management planning initiatives, aligning with organizational goals and industry best practices.
• Manage resource allocation across multiple projects to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Client-Facing:
• Lead high-level client engagements, fostering relationships with local, state, and federal emergency management agencies, as well as community organizations.
• Provide management oversight of the development and maintenance of emergency management plans, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and client needs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key clients, ensuring satisfaction and addressing any escalated issues.
• Oversee the design and delivery of training programs, exercises, and drills, ensuring comprehensive preparedness for client organizations.
• Corporate Responsibilities:
• Assist the Vice President of Planning and Risk Reduction in proposal development and business development activities.
• Contribute to the creation and refinement of marketing materials and capabilities statements, highlighting the division’s expertise.
• Support the development and implementation of tools and resources to streamline project execution and enhance service delivery.
• Stay informed of federal funding opportunities and guide clients in securing resources for emergency management projects.
• Deploy to client sites as needed to provide executive support during disaster response and recovery operations.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, delivering presentations and fostering professional networks.
• Perform all duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive understanding of emergency management frameworks, including NIMS, ICS, and FEMA guidelines; knowledge of risk assessment methodologies, continuity planning, and disaster operations; familiarity with federal, state, and local emergency management regulations and funding mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience in developing emergency management and disaster response plans for variety of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing training and exercise programs.
• Leadership and Team Management Skills
• Working knowledge of advanced project management principles and ability to manage complex large scale projects.
• Effective communication and public speaking abilities.
• Strong problem solving and time management.
• Ability to think strategically and build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders and clients.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This role will have direct supervisory responsiblities as outlined in the company organization chart.

Expected Hours of Work:

Schedule may vary. Work on evenings and weekends may be required. Dependability and punctuality are paramount.

Travel Requirements:

• Up to 50% travel is expected for this position.
• Must be willing to travel and deploy to client sites for extended periods of time.

Physical Demands:

• Mobility required on-site with clients.
• Sitting or standing for hours at a time.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time if needed.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. repetitively throughout the day and as needed.

Working Environment:

• Emergency management personnel may work in an office or home environment or be deployed to the field which may require working outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
• Work may be on-site with clients ex: EOC, hospital, debris sites or local government buildings.
• All AC Disaster Consulting (ACDC) positions are remote work site positions with the home location agreed upon at time of hire.
• If the remote work site locations change, ACDC Human Resources must be made aware, and leadership needs to approve any site changes for business registration and payroll tax purposes.

Requirements

Experience/Education Required:

• A bachelor's degree in emergency management, public administration or a related field is required. Years of experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis, in addition to the minimum requirements.
• 8-10 years' experience in emergency management planning and preparedness.
• 5 years' experience direct leadership experience.
• 2 years of complex project management experience.

Experience/Education Preferred:

• A Masters degree in emergency management, public administration or a related field is preferred. Years of experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis, in addition to the minimum requirements.
• 2 years account management/business development experience.
• Relevant certifications such as AICP, PMP, CEM or MEP

Additional Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without employer sponsored visa is required. We are not able to employ those located outside of the US.
• Must pass company and any applicable client background check and reference check upon offer of employment.

Benefits

Temporary positions are not benefits eligible except where required by law. Regular status positions will receive these benefits:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Short-Term Disability/Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) Account with Company Match
• Paid-Time Off (PTO): Annual Leave and Sick Leave Accruals
• Paid Parental Leave
• Training and Professional Development Opportunities
• Corporate Computer
• Time off to Volunteer
• Cell Phone Allowance

EEO Statement

AC Disaster Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. AC Disaster Consulting will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any protected characteristic.

Please redact or remove information that identifies applicant's age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at (or graduation from) an educational institution from the resume or other application documents prior to submitting the application.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting AC Disaster Consulting Human Resources team at hr@acdisaster.com.

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