Job Description

Posting number: RAA DHSEM 00170 0926

Department: Department of Public Safety

Division: Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Job classification: Emergency Preparedness & Communications Specialist IV

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Public Safety, Management, Emergency Management

Summary

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

20250529105201_CDPS logo soup-slider-new.png

Our Mission - Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our Vision - Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our Core Values - Unity, Honor, Service

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.

Careers with a purpose:

If you are passionate about public safety and public service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

Classification and Salary:

Emergency Preparedness and Communications Specialist IV

Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,022 - $7,829/month;$72,264 - $93,948/year

Full Salary Range: $6,022 - $9,636/month; $72,264 - $115,632/year

Benefits:

We provide a wide range of benefits to our employees.

• Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.
• Eligible employees receive Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50,000 and a maximum of $250,000. Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees.
• The State of Colorado's Wellness Program, State of Health, is a no-cost, year-long program that supports an employee’s health and wellness goals. This program offers personalized health coaching, skill groups and more. Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.
• Through BenefitHub, State of Colorado employees have access to discounts, promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.
• State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
• Eligible employees have access to medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
• Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• We offer excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), visit Colorado PERA for details.
• We provide generous time off including 11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leave and four annual wellness days.
• The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling, referrals and resources, as well as training and organizational development services.
• Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
• We offer Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits.

Examples of duties

About the Work Unit

This position is located within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is a consolidated Emergency Management and Homeland Security team. The Division's mission is to lead and support Colorado’s efforts to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to and recover from all-hazard events

The Office of Emergency Management conducts the four phases of emergency management (Preparedness, Response, Mitigation and Recovery) in coordination with other State Agencies and in support of local jurisdictions. It integrates emergency management efforts across all levels of government, including state, local, tribal and federal.

The Field Operations Section provides emergency management expertise across the five mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery to counties and municipalities. The unit provides technical and programmatic emergency management assistance in support of State and Local homeland security and emergency management goals. This work unit assists counties and municipalities with all- hazards emergency operations plans, mitigation plans and community preparedness and resiliency plans. Field Operations assists communities and municipalities with training and exercises and emergency management professional development. This work unit coordinates and integrates the efforts of field representatives from other state agencies and departments. Field Services transmits local requirements to the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and provides local situational understanding and awareness to OEM. During incidents, Field Operations serves as the OEM liaison to local emergency management agencies. Additionally, this work unit manages and oversees the five state all-hazards incident management teams and Auxiliary Communications Unit. It provides training opportunities to the teams and monitors team qualification and availability.

Work Environment

A hybrid work model is utilized, requiring in-office attendance a minimum of three (3) days per week.

Work unit core hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility

May require to be on-call during emergency activations that may include nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

Requires regular in-state travel (up to 5 nights/month) and occasional out-of-state travel (up to 3 weeks/year).

About the Job

This position serves as the Designated Contact (DC) for Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) program, directing Colorado's participation in the nationwide emergency resource support network and managing interstate mutual aid operations and resource coordination during emergencies and disasters. Under the supervision of the Central Area Field Manager, the EMAC Program Coordinator is responsible for creating, implementing, and managing Colorado’s EMAC program. This role oversees the expedited procurement and deployment of critical resources during emergencies, coordinates aid sent to or received from other states. The position also leads statewide outreach, training, mutual aid optimization, and post-deployment financial reconciliation.

Key Responsibilities

EMAC Program Coordinator

Create, implement, and manage the State of Colorado EMAC program. This mission critical function is responsible for the expedited procurement of resources from across the nation to respond to a rapidly expanding disaster/emergency in Colorado. Conversely, this position will coordinate Colorado's assistance to other states during their times of need. EMAC or other mutual aid resources may include trained position/skill specific first responders and/or equipment/supplies. The EMAC Program Coordinator will serve as the critical node and as an essential subject matter expert relied upon by senior leadership to execute the program and possess decision making authority for the acquisition and deployment of these essential resources. Due to the nature of disasters, this position is on-call for these responsibilities 24/7. This work may extend to future interstate mutual aid compacts that Colorado becomes party to, including regional or international agreements.

All-Hazards Mutual Aid Optimization & Mission-Ready Package (MRP) Architecture

Designs, implements, and manages the state’s comprehensive framework for interstate all-hazards resource utilization through the curation of Mission-Ready Packages (MRPs). Formulates state-level guidelines, templates, and cost-modeling standards that allow state, local, tribal, and non-governmental entities to tier their capabilities. Evaluates existing mutual aid systems and invents new processes to increase resource visibility within the State's inventory tracking software (e.g., WebEOC or similar platforms) and the EMAC Operations System or EMAC Mutual Aid Support System. Regularly assess Colorado’s mutual aid programmatic readiness using tools available through the Compact, including the Planner+ platform, and report readiness and gaps to office leadership.

Statewide Stakeholder Education, Interagency Coordination & Outreach

Formulates, organizes, and executes a strategic statewide education and outreach program targeting government (local, tribal, state) and non-government partners (NGOs, private sector, volunteer groups). Develops curriculum and instructs training courses focused on mutual aid protocols, mutual aid legal frameworks, liability protections, and deployment reimbursement requirements. Represents DHSEM on regional and national boards or councils to benchmark Colorado's mutual aid capabilities. Conducts continual process improvement by assessing the applicability and effectiveness of EMAC programs and policies in other EMAC member programs, determining whether practices are suited for adoption in Colorado.

EMAC Reimbursement & Fiscal Governance Compliance

Establishes policy guidelines, designs operational workflows, and provides executive oversight for the financial reconciliation and reimbursement cycle post-deployment. Serves as the ultimate technical authority validating federal and state reimbursement documentation packages. Audits complex financial portfolios submitted by deploying agencies to ensure strict adherence to mutual aid compact requirements, minimizing the risk of funding de-obligations or audit failures.

Qualifications

Note, to be considered for this position, you must meet one of the following options for consideration.

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in mutual aid, resource management, or emergency management (response or recovery) operations.

OR Education and Experience, Knowledge, Skills

A Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of relevant experience in mutual aid, resource management, or emergency management (response or recovery) operations.

or

A Master's Degree and two (2) years of relevant experience in mutual aid, resource management, or emergency management (response or recovery) operations.

Please Note: An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies

• Experience in acute resource management/mobilization and/or supervision of mutual aid through government channels
• Emergency management experience, particularly in response and recovery operations
• Experience navigating legal and financial requirements of multi-state compacts, particularly the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)
• Strong verbal, written, and presentations skills.
• Experience presenting or training diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders
• Project or program management experience at an individual contributor or management level.
• Experience working across multiple computer, financial, and project management software systems during periods of significant updates or change.
• Experience navigating standard government fiscal rules and regulations, validation of financial documentation, and application of fiscal controls

Conditions of Employment

• Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam, a fingerprint based criminal history search, reference checking, driving history.
• Must be able to participate in State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during activations that may include during nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Must be valid Colorado Driver's License.
• Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.
• Must be able to regular travel 10% (in-state travel and occasional out- of state)

Appeal Rights

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Supplemental information

Disability Accommodation

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure equitable opportunity applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at: cdps_hr@state.co.us.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Department of Public Safety is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

Recruitment Timeline Information and Important Notices

• Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received.
• Closing Date: All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
• Supplemental Question: Effective responses to Supplemental Questions will directly relate to your professional experience, career accomplishments, and views about organizational values and approaches, and how they relate specifically to this position and requirements as you understand them. Answers generated by AI-tools will typically be unresponsive.
• Transcripts: An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application should education be used as qualification. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process.
• Military Veterans: If you are a military veteran you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Member 4 Copy, and VA disability letter if available/applicable at the time of application so we can determine if you are eligible for veteran's preference points. Military personnel who are stationed outside of Colorado may be eligible for this position by submitting the completed DD-2058 "State of Legal Residence" form.
• Application Tips: For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view this video.
• Resumes, Cover Letters, or other documents submitted will not be reviewed, assessed, or used in the initial stages of the comparative analysis (transcripts submitted to verify that the applicant meets either the education requirement or minimum qualification substitution are exempt from this).
• Notifications: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be sent via email to the email address listed on your application. Include your current working email address on your application and check the email provided on your application frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.
• e-Verify: CDPS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
• Comparative Analysis Steps may include :
• Structured application review by a panel of SMEs
• Panel Interview