Job Description

Posting number: 2026-07036

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: OOS

Job classification: WMS BAND 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Building & Safety, Public Safety, Safety

DSHS, Office of Emergency Management, Response Manager

You are an experienced emergency management professional interested in the opportunity to develop and implement emergency response plans, ensuring the continuity of critical services across the State of Washington. In this role, you will join a team of emergency management professionals to help prepare Washington's largest state agency, and its employees to respond to any incident. In the event of an emergency, you will have the opportunity to serve as a Section Chief for activations of the DSHS Emergency Coordination Center. You enjoy cross agency collaboration and partnership. This role provides training and serves as the lead for the volunteer Emergency Response Team at DSHS HQs in Olympia. What else makes this job special? You! As a Response Manager, you will bring your skills in process improvement, training, emergency management, GIS, and communications to help us raise the bar in emergency preparedness and response.

Some of what you'll do:

• Plan, organize, and participate in HQ-level DSHS emergency response operations

• Provides reliable and professionally sound guidance, consultation, and advice related to emergency response at the enterprise level

• Establishes, develops, and maintains cooperative relationships with executive leadership, administration liaisons, and external partners in support of emergency response initiatives

• Develops and informs DSHS administrative policies related to emergency response, training, testing, and exercising

• Provides situational awareness reports using GIS platforms and recommendations to the director for related action

• Develop tactical actions to support an effective response to emergencies and disasters

• Conduct tests and exercises for relevant communication systems

What we're looking for:

• Ability to quickly initiate incident command and lead others through response actions

• Experience briefing and advising at a high level on during response and that must be taken during an emergency response

• Proven ability to develop and implement emergency response plans and operational level procedures related to emergency response and operations plans

• Incident Command System 300 and/or 400, or other advanced FEMA recognized emergency management training

• Working familiarity with DSHS organization, programs, mission essential functions, and business environment

• Experience using GIS systems

• Advanced degree in a field related to emergency management

• Effective communication skills to convey complex and novel material to various audiences

Who should apply:

• Professionals with a baccalaureate degree, five years of experience in a field related to Emergency Management, and five years' (concurrent or additional) experience applying Department of Homeland Security training doctrines, concepts, and principles

• Relevant U.S. Military experience may substitute year for year for Homeland Security experience.

To Apply—

1. Completed Application

2. Resume

3. Cover Letter

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that People find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions about job number 07036? Contact Joshua.Shawhan@dshs.wa.gov

Supplemental information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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