Operations Officer

Requisition No: 844713

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: Operations Officer - 31001093

Pay Plan: CS Exempt (EOG)

Position Number: 31001093

Salary: $39,911.88 annually

Posting Closing Date: 01/27/2025

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State Watch Office Operations Officer

Bureau of Response

State of Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

The Florida Division of Emergency Management plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. The Division of Emergency Management (FDEM or Division) is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

The Division serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state’s efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, the Division manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hours a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the state of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, “Coordinate, collaborate and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida” along with our vision of, “Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities”.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position serves as an Operations Officer within the Florida State Watch Office. This full-time position monitors incidents, emergencies, and events within the state of Florida that could require a state response and ensures the operational readiness of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). This position is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information with local, state, and federal partners to aid in their response roles. Incumbent must be able to deploy for up to 14 days with little to no advance notice anywhere in Florida or the United States, work nontraditional hours including weekends and holidays, and perform other duties as required. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (e.g., weeks) and are more limited in nature during routine non-emergency operations.

The duties and responsibilities for the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintains awareness of all natural, technological, and manmade hazards that are impacting or have the potential to impact the State of Florida through the use of data feeds, news broadcasts, social media, and direct reports received by government officials and private citizens.
• Collects and categorizes information from external customers using provided questions and standard operating procedures in a timely and professional manner.
• Documents incident information in computer-based applications, generates reports, and provides warning and notification to local and state officials.
• Communicates incident information and emergency response actions to local, state, and federal officials using established systems, including telephone, facsimile, interoperable radio, the National Warning System (NAWAS), Satellite phones, Hot Ringdown Telephones and other converged voice and data networks.
• Conducts tests of Watch Office communications systems and related equipment on a regular basis to ensure operational readiness.
• Assists with administrative and operational matters as necessary to support 24-hour situational awareness, warning operations, and the State Emergency Operations Center.
• Assists with planning initiatives related to the Operations Section, establishment of policies and procedures related to the State Watch Office (SWO), State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), and Division of Emergency Management programs.
• Assists with updates to all standard operating procedures, guides and job aids related to the State Watch Office.
• Participates in SEOC activations and performs all duties as assigned by the Operations Section Chief.
• Attends conference, training, meetings, etc. as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of emergency management at the local and state level, and/or public safety response functions at the local level.
• Knowledge of public safety communications.
• Knowledge of Incident Command System principled.
• Skill in collecting, reviewing, and summarizing information with computer software.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate a personal computer, the Microsoft Office suite, and conduct internet research.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and perform effectively under stressful conditions for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to work various shifts on a rotating schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to travel and/or work in a field environment during disaster conditions when necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to lift 50 pounds without assistance.
• Possess a current/valid Driver’s License.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

State of Florida employees enjoy top tier benefits including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out of pocket contributions. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between two retirement options, including the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan. As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems. Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder. For a more complete list of benefits, please click https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

Special Notes:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. The Division appreciates the service and sacrifices made by veterans and their family members. Further, FDEM recognizes the immeasurable value veterans bring to the workplace and is committed to increasing the number of veterans that serve in its workforce.

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to increasing recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities and improving employment outcomes. An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the FDEM Human Resources Office at (850) 815-4177. FDEM requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida and the Division of Emergency Management participate in E-Verify. This federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

In response to emergency events, Division of Emergency Management employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.