Senior Emergency Management Specialist

Senior Emergency Management Specialist

Salary

$70,921.50 - $125,014.50 Annually

Location

Woodbridge, VA

Job Type

Full-Time (FT)

Job Number

202610686

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

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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

Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

SEE YOURSELF HERE!

Prince William County Government offers medical plans with corresponding pharmacy and basic vision coverage, as well as dental plans and a separate vision plan.

Full-time and part-time Prince William County Government employees are eligible to participate in our plans; however, the level and cost of benefits depends on the classification of the position.

The following positions do not accrue leave and are not eligible for holidays or other fringe benefits:

• Temporary
• Provisional
• Seasonal employees

Click on the link below to explore our plans and rates.

Prince William County Benefit Programs

01

By submitting this application, I understand the following: 1). Only the information provided on my application is used to determine my qualifications; 2). My resume will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application; 3). Only responses to Supplemental Questions that can be verified in my submitted education and work experience will be credited and 4). If selected, my employment dates will be verified back three (3) years (if applicable), with a required reference from my current or most recent employer.

• Yes, I acknowledge and understand the above statement and wish to continue in this process.
• No, I do not wish to proceed any further in this process.

02

Please select the option that reflects your highest level of completed education.

• Bachelors degree or higher in emergency management, public administration, public policy, or a closely related field.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in an unrelated field.
• Associates degree
• Some college
• High school diploma or GED
• None of the above

03

Please quantify your years of experience in emergency management, business continuity, disaster relief, or a relevant field. (Part-time work, internships, and volunteer experience in emergency management, business continuity, or disaster relief may be considered as relevant experience.)

• 5 or more years of experience
• 3-4 years of experience
• 1-2 years of experience
• No experience

04

Please select the options that reflect your experience in leading and managing the development and maintenance of complex preparedness projects. Select all that apply.

• Project scoping
• Developing timelines and milestones
• Facilitating planning meetings with multiple stakeholders
• Writing documents for local, state, or federal planning processes
• Developing and delivering training and exercises
• None of the above

05

Which statement best describes your approach to communicating with others?

• I communicate clearly, listen carefully, and adjust my message to ensure others understand
• I provide information only when someone asks for it
• I prefer to communicate the same way with everyone, regardless of the audience
• I assume my message is understood unless someone tells me otherwise

06

When receiving important information during an emergency, which approach best reflects active listening?

• I listen carefully, ask clarifying questions when needed, and confirm key details to ensure I understand correctly.
• I rely on my experience to fill in any information that I may have missed
• I wait until the conversation is over before deciding whether I understood the message
• I focus on responding quickly rather than confirming the information I received

07

Do you agree to obtain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Professional Development Series (PDS) certification within the 1-year probationary period? (Please make sure you attach a copy of your certification to the application if you have one.)

• Yes
• No

08

Will you be able to work outside of regular business hours, with the periodic need to work nights or weekend hours in support of emergency or planned events?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

10

If you do not reside within the Washington DC / Northern Virginia metropolitan area, are you prepared to relocate to the area and begin daily in-person employment within 30 days or less of accepting a written offer of employment?

• Yes
• No

11

In your own words, please describe the role of a local emergency management agency in a community. (250 words or less).

12

Please describe your experience with the preparedness (planning, training, and exercise) functions of an emergency management agency, including experience in an EOC/MACC (250 words or less).

13

Please describe how you feel that your background and experience have qualified and prepared you for this position. (250 words or less).

14

Do you understand and accept that the annual starting range for this position is $84,444 - $103,000?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Prince William County Government

Address 1 County Complex Court

Prince William County, Virginia, 22192

Website https://www.pwcva.gov/department/human-resources/careers