Title: Emergency Generalist - Communications

State Role Title: Emergency Coordinator II

Hiring Range: $65,000 - $70,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept of Emergency Management

Location: VDEM Headquarters

Agency Website: www.vaemergency.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is currently seeking a qualified candidate to become our Emergency Generalist!

This position supports the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s (VDEM) mission to enhance the Commonwealth’s readiness, response, and recovery capabilities. The Emergency Generalist will serve as all-hazards emergency management generalist, supporting emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations across the commonwealth.

 The role demands a solid foundation in networking technologies, including IP addressing, routers, wireless access points, and mesh network architectures.  The ability to develop and implement PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) plans is critical to ensure resilient and redundant communication capabilities. This role involves diagnostic and troubleshooting responsibilities in dynamic field environments, along with proficiency in technical documentation, system configuration, and the use of relevant programming tools.  

While maintaining general all-hazards capability, the position will specialize in providing technical field support for communications systems across Virginia, with a focus on interoperability, LMR programming, and tactical problem-solving in support of localities, state agencies, and regional partners.

This position plans, deploys, and maintains communications systems in both routine and emergency operations, ensuring resilient and reliable communications through the PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) framework. These systems include agency owned equipment, as well as resources available with the Virginia Communications Cache program. The role also assists in the agency’s compliance regarding Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) equipment and operations under FAA Part 107. The technician will serve in a rotating on-call capacity.

An active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification and practical experience with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations, particularly in support of emergency response and field communications, are required or ability to obtain within 6 months.

*This position is eligible for one day of telework per week. Due to the public-facing nature of the role, regular onsite presence is required.*

All VDEM employees are designated as essential personnel and may be required to work during emergency situations, such as inclement weather, and natural or man-made disasters/events as directed. This may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee’s official EWP.

Minimum Qualifications

- Knowledge of state, federal, and local emergency operations programs, systems, laws, and procedures.
- Understanding of federal, state, and local government organizational structures.
- Knowledge of emergency services required during natural and human‑caused disasters.
- Proficiency in the principles, practices, and techniques of emergency services planning.
- Knowledge of agency budget and accounting procedures related to contractual agreements, and ability to develop and monitor budget and expenditures.
- Ability to set clear objectives, solve problems, and make independent decisions that reflect VDEM’s mission, while maintaining sound judgment in high‑stress and time‑sensitive environments.
- Strong program management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines.
- Ability to lead, supervise, train, and motivate professional and technical staff.
- Skill in building collaboration and consensus among diverse public safety professionals and stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief public officials and partner agencies.
- Extensive knowledge of land mobile radio (LMR) systems, including VHF, UHF, and 700/800 MHz bands, and related public safety communication standards such as APCO, NIMS, and COML/COMT.

Additional Considerations

- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Robotics, Information Systems, or other related science preferred or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Experience in a public sector safety discipline (emergency management, firefighting, law enforcement, EMS) is highly desirable.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Applications will only be accepted on-line through the State Job website. Applications must include all work history and references. The decision to interview an applicant is solely based on the information provided in the application materials. Therefore, it is essential to provide enough information to make this assessment.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a fingerprint-based criminal history background check, Division of Motor Vehicle check, employment reference check, and E-Verify. The selected candidate must complete a State of Personal Economic Interests as a condition of employment, if applicable (Va. Code 2.2-3114). Other financial, credit, driving, or degree verification checks prior to employment may be required for certain positions. A one-year probationary period is required of all newly hired and re-hired Commonwealth of Virginia employees.

The salary for this position is negotiable up to the maximum hiring range listed in this posting. Offers will not be made outside of the hiring range. 

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply.

VDEM does not provide sponsorship to prospective or current employees. Applicants applying for a position with our agency must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: (804) 366-7942

Email: Recruitment@vdem.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.