Principle Emergency Response Specialist - Continuity of Operations (COOP) Coordinator

Job Description

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy. Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750 professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.
  
  

Responsibilities

Strategic Operations and Response Support is seeking a highly skilled, detail-oriented, and proactive Continuity of Operations (COOP) Coordinator to support the development, implementation, and sustainment of COOP initiatives at the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS). This role ensures that mission-essential functions (MEFs) continue during emergencies, disruptions, and other continuity events by maintaining and improving continuity plans, conducting training and exercises, and coordinating with key stakeholders. In addition to COOP responsibilities, this position will provide secondary support to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), assisting in emergency preparedness, incident coordination, and operational response activities as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the COOP program to ensure compliance with DOE O 150.1B, FEMA Continuity Guidance Circular, and federal continuity directives (FCD 1 & 2).
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks to mission-essential functions (MEFs) to ensure operational resilience in emergencies.
• Maintain a state of operational readiness by updating COOP plans, procedures, toolkits, and resources to support seamless continuity transitions.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure continuity preparedness across all NNSS operations.
• Advise leadership on COOP program changes, vulnerabilities, and best practices to enhance resilience.
• Design, coordinate, and lead COOP drills, tabletop exercises (TTXs), functional exercises (FXs), and full-scale exercises (FSEs) to test continuity plans and capabilities.
• Develop exercise scenarios, facilitate after-action reviews (AARs), and implement corrective actions to enhance preparedness.
• Ensure all COOP plans and procedures remain compliant with DOE, FEMA, and federal regulations.
• Provide COOP-specific training and awareness programs to key personnel and stakeholders.
• Maintain and regularly update COOP activation procedures, reconstitution plans, and continuity decision matrices.
• Support relocation, devolution, and reconstitution planning efforts, ensuring seamless transitions to alternate facilities when required.
• Establish and maintain liaison relationships with federal, state, and local agencies (e.g., DOE, NNSA, FEMA, Department of Defense, municipal and county emergency agencies) to enhance COOP coordination and mutual aid agreements.
• Conduct business impact analyses (BIAs) and risk assessments to refine continuity strategies.
• Develop and maintain documentation, reports, and compliance records for COOP audits and program evaluations.
• Assist in the activation and operational functions of the EOC during emergencies, planned events, and drills.
• Provide continuity planning expertise to EOC staff, ensuring COOP principles are integrated into emergency response operations.
• Support the EOC in crisis communication, situational awareness, and information management.
• Operate and manage classified/unclassified communication systems, electronic notification platforms, and emergency response tools during EOC activations.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of emergency response procedures and operational checklists.
• Provide surge support to the EOC during major incidents, drills, and exercises as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent training and experience and at least 8 years of relevant experience.
• Strong understanding of COOP frameworks including FEMA’s Continuity Guidance Circular, Federal Continuity Directives (FCD 1 & 2), and DOE O 150.1B.
• Experience in business continuity, resilience planning, or operational risk management in a federal, state, or local government setting.
• Familiarity with Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) frameworks, including Incident Command System (ICS).
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders professionally and effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, emergency management software, and continuity planning tools.
• Able to utilize independent judgment, creativity, initiative, and ability to apply knowledge and experience to resolve problems and compose technical correspondence and reports.
• Able to prioritize and schedule multiple activities of the department.
• Able to communicate with all types of people in a tactful, professional, and effective manner while screening and maintaining confidentiality.
• Able to remember extensive policies, procedures, terminology, schedules, personnel, and other details.
• Able to deal with pressure of handling multiple tasks, complains, frequent interruptions, and time constraints.
• Able to read/write/speak English.
• The primary work location will be at the Nevada National Security Site (located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada).
• Work schedule will be 4/10s Monday through Thursday. (subject to change during an emergency incident)
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
  
  

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2 , “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4 , “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted. Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709 , “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $99,790.57 - $152,180.63.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.