Accreditation and Strategy Program Manager (Emergency Management Program Specialist 4)

About the Department

This is a state agency civilian position and does not require military service affiliation.

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving excellence?  The state's Emergency Management Division is seeking a dynamic and detail-orientated Accreditation and Strategy Program Manager to lead critical initiatives that enhance our state's emergency preparedness and response capabilities.  In this important role, you will oversee strategic planning, performance measurement, and federally mandated activities, while managing the state's national Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) to ensure compliance with national standards and established best practices.  You will also lead a Corrective Action Program and related improvement plans, playing a key role in driving continuous improvement throughout our emergency management operations.  Additionally, you will contribute directly to disaster response by serving in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during activations and representing the state in Joint Field Offices (JFO) with FEMA or Disaster Field Offices (DFO) as needed.  Join our team and make a lasting impact on the safety and resilience of our communities.  

The work of this person falls under the Director's Office and reports to the Deputy Director of the Emergency Management Division.  

Emergency Management Division Overview
As a part of the Washington Military Department, the Emergency Management Division (EMD) leads and coordinates mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery in Washington to minimize the impact of disasters and emergencies on the people, property, environment, and economy.  

About the Washington Military Department
Protecting people is our passion.  At the Washington Military Department, we combine our unique talents to create safer communities and ensure our neighbors and loved ones can recover from whatever emergency might arise.  Our agency unites civilian employees with members of the Washington National Guard, creating a team that is deeply committed to public service.  We go home at night knowing that our day-to-day work supports activities that truly make a difference.  Whether that's partnering with our communities to prepare for a disaster, leading an emergency response, hiring top-notch talent or supporting at-risk kids at our Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy - the Washington Military Department seeks to safeguard our way of life and those that call Washington home.



To learn more about the Washington Military Department visit:  www.mil.wa.gov

The Washington Military Department offers an excellent benefits package which includes exceptional health care coverage, a retirement savings plan, and job training opportunities.

Position Duties

Responsibilities include:

Develop and implement strategies designed to bring cohesiveness and improved organizational effectiveness through continued needs-analyses and assessments to the EMD and the broader state emergency management program.

Leads assessments of the Emergency Management program and EMD, tools and processes, including:

• Facilitates and manages the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) as the subject matter expert in emergency management, business process improvement, and strategic initiatives.
• Facilitates and manages the EMD Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) requiring the implementation of corrective actions, improvement plans, and Stakeholder Preparedness Report (SPR) activities.
• Develops and implements the collection and analysis of Performance Management data. Communicates metric results to inform overall status of organizational effectiveness and alignment of strategic goals and objectives.

Facilitates Strategic Planning efforts.

• Facilitates the process by which EMD develops, updates, and executes the EMD Strategic Plan (in close coordination with management to include the Deputy Director and Director).

Serves in an operational capacity in the Emergency Operations Center and/or Disaster Field Office.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED

One year of experience as an Emergency Management Program Specialist 3;

OR

A Bachelor's degree AND five years of professional level experience in emergency management, financial management (grant, contracting, claims management, budgeting) training/education, public information/affairs, program/project management environmental analysis/planning, civil/structural engineering, legislative affairs, and/or urban planning.

AND (in additional to the experience listed above.  This experience may be gained concurrently with the professional level experience listed above).

Two years of experience in two or more of the following:

• Strategic planning (developing, facilitating and/or monitoring).
• Identify, track, and analyze metrics to measure organizational effectiveness.
• Leading and administering an Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) or similar program for an organization.
• Leading assessments of Emergency Management Programs.
• Facilitating and managing a Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) as the subject matter expert in exercise and real-world activations requiring the implementation of corrective actions, improvement plans, and Stakeholder Preparedness Report (SPR) activities.
• Program/project management - coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating a project or program having a specific goal to be achieved within a specific time frame.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the education requirement.  A Master's or Ph.D. degree will substitute for one year of the experience requirement.

DESIRED

Experience:

• Two years of applied experience in Program Management.

Knowledge of:

• EMAP standards
• Emergency Management Division and its programs.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Ability to take action to meet the needs of others
• Ability to take action to learn and grow.
• Use Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access) to complex develop documents in support of program objectives.

Other Qualifications

Compensation: Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Investigation: Must successfully complete the appropriate background checks required for employment. Must be willing to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files.  The processing of background checks can take up to six months post-employment.  Failure to successfully pass a background check may be cause for termination.

Union: This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Driver's License:

1. Valid to drive in the State of Washington. 
2. Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act.  This is required for base access and will be required upon hire.  

Military Facility: Willingness to work on a Military Controlled Access Installation.  Work Hours: A choice may be available between a Tuesday through Friday (4/10 schedule): Monday through Thursday (4/10 schedule): or Monday through Friday (5/8 schedule).  Actual hours will start no earlier than 6:00 am and end no later than 6:00 pm, and will include core business hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Telework: This position may be eligible for occasional ad hoc telework.

Emergency Assignment: Upon activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) or Joint Field Office (JFO), incumbent may be required to work in an alternate location with rotating shifts, including weekends and evenings, in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment.

Travel: Occasional statewide travel may be required up to 20% to include overnight stays.   

** HOW TO APPLY ** 

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically via www.careers.wa.gov.  It is very important that the "Work Experience" and "Supplemental Questionnaire" portion of the application is completed in as much detail as possible. 

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: 

• An attached Resume outlining your experience to date. 
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.  
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) professional references.  Please include at least two (2) past/current supervisors, one peer and/or subordinate, if applicable.  For each reference include the following: 

• Name
• Professional Title
• Working Relationship
• Daytime Phone Number
• Email Address 

NOTE: This information may be entered in the "References" section of the online application or can be an attached document.

** A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.

The information provided in your application must support your supplemental questionnaire responses.  Responses not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.  

Failure to attach the requested resume and/or cover letter may preclude you from consideration from this recruitment.  

This recruitment may be utilized to fill additional Emergency Management Program Specialist 4 vacancies as they become available for 60 days after the closing date.

If you have questions about the application process or this recruitment, please email Geri Harding at [email protected]   

Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.

The Washington Military Department is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruitment Section of State Human Resources at: Email:[email protected].gov Call: (253) 512-7384, or 711.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov