Overview
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Planning Specialist Jobs in Centennial, CO at State of Colorado Job Opportunities
Department Information
This position is open to Colorado state residents only.
This is a Grant Funded position funded through September 2026.
This recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.
CDPS is an equal opportunity employer. See our EEOD Utilization Report (2020)
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
CDPS commits to cultivating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. We ensure that we recruit, retain, and promote engaged employees. Our approach to diversity is simple – it’s about embracing everyone! We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. Our strength is our promise to be inclusive with intentional strategies to welcome and uplift our employees to thrive – while building a more equitable workplace.
Why I love My Job at CDPS
At CDPS we nurture a centric culture driven by our commitment of creating a safer Colorado, an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their own authentic self. We model a culture of collaboration, support and growth to our employees. Our culture has public service focus, and we strive to provide innovative solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans!
Click here to learn why CDPS employees love their jobs
Careers with a purpose:
If you are passionate about public safety service, and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, this is the organization you want to join!
We are committed to providing public safety services to our fellow Coloradans in their times of greater needs such as: safety on our roads, preparing and mitigating environmental disasters, disaster recovery, combating crime, school safety, and victim recovery.
You’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career while making a difference in our community!
When you join CDPS, you are joining a team of exceptional individuals and together you will be inspired, motivated and supported to become the best you can be.
Unmatched Benefits
We highly value work life balance and offer excellent work-life programs, training and enriching professional development opportunities and a wide range of benefits.
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.
State contribution into Health Savings Account when enrolled in HDHP.
Job protected medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the State of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).
Paid medical leave benefits provided by the State of Colorado.
Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
We offer unmatched 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.
CDPS provides 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.
Additional benefits offered include tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.
To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit State of Colorado benefits
Description of Job
DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
This position is located within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). The division is a dynamic and diverse team that is committed to developing, administering and coordinating comprehensive and integrated statewide emergency management and homeland security programs. The Division’s work ensures the safety and security of Colorado and its infrastructure through unity of effort with local, tribal, state, federal, private, and nongovernmental partners.
Our Mission: To lead and support Colorado’s effort to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.
Our Vision: A prepared, safe and resilient Colorado!
Our Core Values: Service, Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, Vision and Excellence.
Our Guiding Principles: Results-Focused, Innovative, Service-Oriented and Employee-Centric.
Our mission is accomplished through a comprehensive and coordinated program of mitigating hazards, preparing for emergencies, preventing terrorist attacks and other criminal activity, coordinating resources for response to a disaster and supporting subsequent recovery efforts. The division also serves as the conduit for state and federal funding to prepare for and recover from all hazard events. The division accomplishes its mission through the following offices:
Director’s Office
Office of Emergency Management
Office of Grants Management (Formerly Office of Preparedness)
Office of Security and Prevention Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC)
Office of Public Safety Communications (OPSC)
ABOUT THE WORK UNIT
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.
Planning Section:
The section leads OEM’s strategic, operational, continuity, and whole community planning efforts. It also manages the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Assessment program. The section is organized into three work units:
Operational Planning
Planning, Assessments, and Strategy
Access and Functional Needs Planning
All units provide planning support to the division, state agencies and stakeholders, and local emergency managers, as required. This includes, but is not limited to:
State Emergency Operations Plan
Resource Mobilization Plans
Office of Emergency Management Strategic Plan
Continuity of Government Plan
Continuity of Operations Plans
Whole community inclusion planning, to include leading the Access and Functional Needs Subcommittee of the state Homeland Security and All-Hazards Senior Advisory Committee (HSAC)
Colorado Emergency Preparedness Assessments (CEPA)
State Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment/Stakeholder Preparedness Review (THIRA/SPR)
Colorado Emergency Planning Commission / Local Emergency Planning Commission administrative support
Incident-specific plans to support the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)
Staffing the SEOC during emergencies, disasters, or other events that require state-level support
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Monday – Friday 8am-5:pm (Some flexibility on schedule)
Hybrid schedule (3 days in office) with the potential to change
Overnight travel may be required for stakeholder engagement, trainings, or professional development. Typically 10% of total time.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The primary purpose of this position is to manage the State Emergency Operations Plan
(SEOP) Program, to include leading the development and maintenance of the SEOP
and associated state-level emergency management plans.
Key Responsibilities:
Maintains the State Emergency Operations Plan (SEOP) with current laws and regulations, lessons learned, and industry best practices.
Serves as a subject matter expert on planning processes, providing technical support to others who are developing plans.
Leads multi-agency planning teams to update the SEOP.
Leads or assists in the development of incident-specific plans (e.g., special events).
Provides administrative support to the Colorado Emergency Planning Commission (CEPC).
When directed, supports other Planning Section programs, such as Strategic Planning, Continuity of Operations Planning, Whole Community Inclusion Planning, and the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Assessment.
Other Duties as Assigned
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet the following criteria for consideration.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE)
Experience Only:
Six (6) years of program or project management experience, to include plan
development, stakeholder engagement, and meeting facilitation.
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education and program or project management experience, to include development, stakeholder engagement, and meeting facilitation equal to six (6) years
*Note: Application work history and supplemental questions must clearly articulate relevant professional experience as applicable to the position.*
REQUIRED SKILLS
Strong organizational skills
Ability work both independently and as part of a team
High proficiency in Microsoft or Google Office products (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
Presenting to senior leadership or large groups
Excellent technical writing skills
Ability to set and maintain project schedules
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of current issues and trends in Homeland Security and Emergency
Management.
Experience writing Homeland Security or Emergency Management documents,
such as emergency operations plans, recovery plans, risk and hazard analyses, and/or capability gap analyses.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam and a fingerprint based criminal history search.
Must have a valid Colorado Driver’s License
Must be a Colorado resident at the of application
During activations of the SEOC, this position may be required to report to the SEOC
during nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
This position is grant funded until September 2026 with a probability to being extended beyond this date. The employee will be required to sign a waiver of retention rights at the time of employment.
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
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS ASSISTANCE AND QUESTIONS
If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at [email protected] .
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. 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. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our.
NOTIFICATIONS
All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be via email. Include your current working email address on your application and check your email 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 “[email protected]” addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email
SELECTION NOTICE
The first stage of the comparative analysis will be an application review. Your application will be reviewed as a part of the selection process to establish a ranked order of all applicants who meet the minimum requirements. It is imperative that your application and answers to supplemental questions provide as much information and detail as possible about your education, knowledge, skills, and experience as it relates to the requirements, duties, and preferred qualifications of this position as described within this announcement.
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).
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY – RECRUITMENT TIMELINE INFORMATION
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.
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.
Comparative Analysis Steps may include:
Structured application review by a panel of SMEs.
Interview will include a brief writing sample and oral presentation by the candidate on a topic provided by the Hiring Manager prior to the interview.
For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips, please view this video.
Title: Homeland Security and Emergency Management Planning Specialist
Company: State of Colorado Job Opportunities
Location: Centennial, CO
