Work Location: Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR), Phoenix, AZ

Salary: $19.4691 - $27.1410 per hour (DOE) 

Grade: 20

Closing Date: August 1, 2025

This position, the State Exercise Program Coordinator, interacts with all state agencies, fifteen counties and their municipalities, non-governmental organizations, federal, tribal and private sector to design, develop, conduct and evaluate exercises statewide. This all-hazards approach includes all types of scenarios including Wildland Fires and Terrorism. Authorized to establish and coordinate policies and procedures and update the development of the exercise programs by use of internal and external databases/portals. Assigned to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Planning Section or other Emergency Operations Center (EOC) position as required during exercises or activations. Personally prepares for anytime (24/7) response and no-notice recalls to the State or Alternate Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and/or Joint Field Office (JFO) during disaster or exercise activations. Trains for specific SEOC positions and performs duties as assigned through internal agency policy.

Responsibilities include:
• Plans, develops, organizes, implements, and evaluates agency and external partner exercises in all-hazards scenarios in accordance with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and the Emergency Management Program Grant (EMPG). Corresponds with partners involving sensitive subject matter requiring a high degree of discretion and sound judgment. Responsively addresses inquiries, conveys information, and solicits necessary data for exercise development and improvement planning. Provides technical assistance to support local, county, state, federal, tribal, non-governmental, and private sector partners exercises.
• Produces comprehensive after-action reports and improvement plans derived from thorough research, analysis, and evaluation of exercises and real-world events. Manages the compilation and monitoring of action recommendations and problem resolutions for DEMA/EM through internal and external platforms, meetings, and digital portals.
• Completes preparedness related projects, including the maintenance of the State Integrated Preparedness Plan, and assists in the development of innovative pilot programs as assigned by the Exercise Program Branch Manager. Completes internal training requirements and develops and hosts presentations for local, county, state, and federal stakeholders at meetings, seminars and conferences related to Emergency Management.
• Coordinates the use of internal/external staff support, interns, reservists, adjunct instructors and additional resources as required. Works with internal departments by serving on committees, attending staff meetings, seminars, conferences, coordinating preparedness programs and promoting exercise support services.
• Assigned to the State Emergency Operations Center Planning Section during activation or exercises, or other EOC positions as required.

Knowledge of:
• Local, county, state, federal and tribal governments
• The principles of emergency management including the national incident management system (NIMS) and incident command system (ICS)
• The principles of exercise development and the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) doctrine and guidelines; the nature of the exercise process
• Arizona National Guard and military as a whole
• Exercise design for both military and civilian emergency management
• Literature and trends in the area of exercise development and strategies
• The methods, theories and procedures in the area of exercise specialization in which consultative services are to be provided
• Federal and state regulatory and statutory provisions of pertinent policies to ensure program compliance
• Requires extensive knowledge of emergency management preparedness programs
• Effective community engagement strategies
• Emergency management plans, policies and procedures, data management, data collection, analysis and interpretation and report writing
• Project planning and management of exercise programs
• Creating goals, SMAART objectives and strategies to assist with exercise development
• Logistical management

Skilled in:
• Plan, organize and coordinate the execution of exercise programs
• Provide technical supervision in exercise matters
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with individuals, groups and representatives of diverse agencies and organizations
• Speak and write effectively as appropriate for the needs of the audience
• Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
• Active listening and critical thinking, use logic and reasoning to identify solutions
• Being flexible to change and adapt to stakeholder concerns
• Creating, presenting, and assessing programs of study
• Advanced level in computer software Microsoft Office programs and Google Suite
• Strong supervise skills are needed to manage various exercise planning teams and interns in order to allow for timely project completion
• Interpersonal skills are required in order for the employee to meaningfully interact with all whole community stakeholders and provide professional customer service
• Project management skills are needed in order to coordinate multiple projects on tight deadlines- Organization skills are needed in order to effectively coordinate the many exercise planning efforts with all of the local, counties, state, federal and tribes in the State
• Conflict resolution skills are necessary to support continuous after-action and improvement planning
• Instructing skills are necessary to convey exercise requirements and HSEEP guidelines

Ability to:
• Write exercise documents in Microsoft Office and Google Docs (HSEEP templates) at a advanced level are essential to the performance of the job
• Perform data analysis and create high-quality error free reports; exercise record keeping
• Public speaking abilities are needed to effectively communicate to large groups of diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities at meetings and exercises
• Stay current on most updated technology- Interpret and apply federal, state, grants and other laws, rules and regulations pertinent to the areas of internal and external exercises
• Determine if exercise programs are effective and in keeping with applicable HSEEP guidelines- Maintain and present in an environment that is conducive to effective learning
• Apply critical thinking as it relates to problem solving
• Recognize if exercise programs, methods, curriculum, etc are being properly carried out and initiating effective action when needed
• Establish interpersonal relationships and partnership development
• Oral and written communication techniques
• Use of audiovisual and video equipment
• Using various research techniques- Develop small to large-scale exercises
• Must be able to travel to various parts of the state to convene and participate in and coordinate meetings, working groups, conferences and other related events
• Prioritize project tasks with minimal supervision
• Motivate and encourage various emergency management partners in preparedness activities

Desired qualifications include any combination of experience, education, and training that meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities as described. The preferred candidate will have completion of FEMA's Professional Development Series; completion of FEMA's Basic Academy; credentialed through the Arizona Qualification System; certified as an Associate Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers; and certified as an Associate Emergency Manager through the Arizona Emergency Managers Association.

Special Job Requirements:
• This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid Arizona state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)
• In State travel required.
• Individuals are required to pass a criminal background investigation.
• ICS 100 - Introduction to the Incident Command System
• ICS 200 - ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• IS 700 - National Incident Management System, An Introduction
• IS 800 - National Response Framework, An Introduction
• IS 230 - Fundamentals of Emergency Management

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Eligible DEMA employees participate in excellent retirement programs provided by the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and for fire personnel the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact hr@azdema.gov.
DEMA is a smoke-free work environment.
ADA/EEO Employer
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer