Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg or Dauphin County or Pennsylvania

Emergency Management Program Manager

Onsite$77,379 - $117,497/yrPosted 1 week ago

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Job details

Location: Harrisburg or Dauphin County or Pennsylvania
Work type: Onsite
Compensation: $77,379 - $117,497/yr
Posted: 1 week ago
Apply on: governmentjobs.com

About this role

About the Department

How would you like to guide statewide search and rescue (SAR) readiness that supports every corner of Pennsylvania? The Emergency Management Program Manager with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) leads major planning and coordination efforts that strengthen SAR capabilities. This role helps unify teams, partners, and resources to enhance emergency response. Apply today for this inspiring chance to help protect our communities, strengthen emergency readiness, and guide high-impact initiatives across the Commonwealth!

Position Duties

This position leads the coordination, planning, and management of an integrated statewide search and rescue program that supports multiple SAR disciplines such as water rescue, urban search and rescue, helicopter hoist rescue, and more. The role ensures strong collaboration, resource readiness, and program development across agencies and specialized teams. As an Emergency Management Program Manager, you will perform the following duties:

Program Leadership: Direct SAR program planning, development, and evaluation across statewide operations
Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborate with federal, state, county, and local partners to strengthen SAR readiness and response
Training Management: Oversee curriculum, standards, and training delivery for specialized SAR programs
Resource Oversight: Maintain resource listings, review procedures, and support SAR asset deployment
Operational Support: Assist with emergency activations, assess capability gaps, and coordinate SAR assets during incidents
Program Evaluation: Identify improvements, review plans, and strengthen statewide SAR systems and procedures

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

Full-time employment
Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
In the event of an emergency/disaster situation or training exercise, this position may be required to travel, work up to 12-hour shifts, and work outside of the normal work hours, including weekends and overnights.
Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
Free and secure on-site parking.
You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

Two years of experience as an Emergency Management Specialist (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
Five years of professional experience in the development, coordination, or promotion of emergency-related programs such as disaster relief, public safety, and emergency management in government, industry, education, or the military; and a bachelor’s degree; or
An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of professional experience in the development, coordination, or promotion of emergency-related programs such as disaster relief, public safety, and emergency management in government, industry, education, or the military.

Special Requirements:

This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.
All positions require certification in the following courses from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute:
- IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System
- IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
- IS-800.D: National Response Framework, An Introduction
- IS-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions

Other Requirements:

This particular position also requires at least one year of experience serving as a team manager, team leader, or higher on a technical search and rescue (SAR) team performing duties such as supervising team members, ensuring team operational readiness, coordinating specialized training, or ensuring safety and effectiveness in search, rescue, and recovery missions.
PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Other Qualifications

Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
You may only apply/test once for this posting.
Your results will be provided via email.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

Supplemental Questions

Additional Requirement - Do you possess at least one year of experience serving as a team manager, team leader, or higher on a technical search and rescue (SAR) team performing duties such as supervising team members, ensuring team operational readiness, coordinating specialized training, or ensuring safety and effectiveness in search, rescue, and recovery missions?

If you answered Yes to the above question, you must provide detailed information to support your experience, If you answered No, please type N/A in the text box below.

Name(s) of Employer(s) where you gained this experience
Job Title
Your role and duties on the team

Special Requirement - Do you possess a valid driver's license which is not under suspension?

If you answered "Yes", please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below.

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Emergency Management Specialist for two or more years full-time?

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

How many years of full-time professional experience in the development, coordination, or promotion of emergency-related programs such as disaster relief, public safety, and emergency management in government, industry, education, or the military do you possess?

5 years or more
4 but less than 5 years
3 but less than 4 years
Less than 3 years
None

How much graduate coursework have you completed in planning, emergency management, risk management, criminal justice, law enforcement, homeland security, emergency and/or crisis management, disaster preparedness, disaster management, public safety management or administration, fire science technology, fire protection engineering, hazardous materials response, or emergency medical services administration? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting https://www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

30 or more credits
Less than 30 credits
None

You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.

All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 – DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PLANS AND POLICIES Develops and implements plans and policies to assist local governments with Search and Rescue (SAR) response and management during natural and human-caused emergencies and disasters. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

A. I have experience DEVELOPING plans and policies related to SAR response and management during natural and human-caused emergencies and disasters.
B. I have experience IMPLEMENTING plans and policies related to SAR response and management during natural and human-caused emergencies and disasters that SOMEONE ELSE developed.
C. 1 I have experience DEVELOPING OR IMPLEMENTING plans and polices UNRELATED to SAR response and management during natural and human-caused emergencies and disasters.
D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to policy development, organizational communication, or technical writing.
E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
The duties you performed related to developing or implementing plans and polices related to search and rescue.
The type(s) of policies and procedures that you developed or implemented.

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University
Course Title(s)
Credits/Clock Hours

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 – SEARCH AND RESCUE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Establishes a certification program for specialized response teams; develops and conducts Search and Rescue (SAR) training to ensure PEMA and Commonwealth personnel and responders can perform emergency duties; and evaluates performance to ensure state and national standards are being met. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

A. I have experience managing an emergency management program by establishing a certification program for specialized response teams, developing and conducting training, AND evaluating performance to ensure state and national standards are being met.
B. I have experience establishing a certification program for specialized response teams; OR I have experience developing AND conducting training and evaluating performance to ensure state and national standards are being met.
C. I have experience conducting training (developed by someone else) and evaluating performance to ensure state and national standards are being met.
D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to program management or emergency management and preparedness.
E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
The duties you performed related to establishing a certification program for specialized response teams.
The duties you performed related to developing and/or conducting training.
The duties you performed related to evaluating performance to ensure state and national standards are being met.

College/University
Course Title(s)
Credits/Clock Hours

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 – DISASTER EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Analyzes requests for Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance to prioritize and determine the operational plan of action. Assesses the need for commodities, funding, equipment, and personnel to provide an effective, timely, and appropriate response. Levels of Performance Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

A. I have experience ANALYZING REQUESTS for SAR emergency assistance to prioritize and determine the operational plan of action.
B. I have experience ASSESSING the need for commodities, funding, equipment, AND personnel after SOMEONE ELSE analyzed the request to prioritize and determine the operational plan of action
C. I have experience ASSESSING the need for commodities, funding, equipment, OR personnel after SOMEONE ELSE analyzed the request to prioritize and determine the operational plan of action.
D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to critical thinking, planning, or analysis.
E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
The duties you performed related to analyzing requests for SAR assistance to prioritize and determine the operational plan of action.
The duties you performed related to assessing the need for commodities, funding, equipment and/or personnel.

College/University
Course Title(s)
Credits/Clock Hours

CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING 1. Do you possess a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1006) Rescue Technician General Requirements certification? If you are claiming you have a certification, you must attach a copy of your certificate for your claim to be accepted. You must attach your certificate prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add your certificate to the application after it has been submitted.

2. Have you successfully completed the National Fire Academy (NFA) Special Operations Program Management R0254 training course? If you are claiming completion of the training course, you must attach a copy of your certificate for your claim to be accepted. You must attach your certificate prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add your certificate to the application after it has been submitted.

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov

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About Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg or Dauphin County or Pennsylvania

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