Disaster Response Team Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 878117 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: Region 8 Response/Preparedness Coord. - 31001800

 Pay Plan: CS Exempt (EOG)

Position Number: 31001800 

Salary:  $55,799.16 

Posting Closing Date: 06/30/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Region 8 Response/Preparedness Coordinator

Bureau of Response

Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position serves the following counties: Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach and St. Lucie.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. FDEM is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

FDEM serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state's efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, FDEM manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hour a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the State of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, "Coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida", along with our vision of "Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities".

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position serves as the Region 8 Response Coordinator within the Regional Coordination Unit with the Bureau of Response, serving as a liaison between FDEM and local emergency management agencies to ensure all related functions are in compliance with state and federal emergency management guidelines, and receive situational updates to ensure a consistent common operating picture between coordinating elements. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide technical assistance to county emergency management organizations and local officials concerning emergency management preparedness and response activities and programs including but not limited to comprehensive emergency management planning, emergency response and preparedness grants (i.e., Hazardous Materials, Infrastructure, State Homeland Security, etc.), sheltering and evacuation planning, and disaster response coordination.
• Maintain regular communication with emergency management partners (i.e., local, municipal, state, etc.) to provide support in the administration of emergency management programs and disseminate critical provide disaster preparedness information to partners.
• Conduct assessments of local emergency management programs response and preparedness activities and capabilities identified in their respective Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans to ensure their ability to execute response priorities prior to, during, and following an emergency or disaster event.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and participate in trainings (i.e., local emergency management exercises, etc.), seminars (i.e., Mutual Aid Seminars, etc.), assessments (i.e., Shelter Qualitative Structure Evaluation, etc.), and workshops (i.e., Quarterly Regional Emergency Management Meetings, etc.) with partners to ensure continuous communication and readiness of the respective FDEM Region.
• Represent FDEM in varied outreach activities statewide (i.e., expositions, conferences, county meetings, etc.) disseminating disaster preparedness information to partners.
• Participates in on-site implementation of operational plans during emergencies and disasters, and coordinate emergency or disaster response efforts when directed by FDEM leadership.
• Coordinate and communicate with the Regional Recovery and Mitigation Coordinator to ensure a basic understanding of recovery and mitigation activities within Region 8 and assist in coordinating post-disaster assessments to support the gathering of data necessary to request additional state and federal support.
• During non-business hours, including weekends and holidays, incumbent will be placed in an "on-call" status, requiring the ability to answer phone calls and respond to incidents as directed.
• Other duties as assigned by leadership.

In response to emergency events, FDEM employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee's position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the organization and functioning emergency management programs at the Federal, State and local levels in context with the National Response Framework (NRF) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Knowledge of basic management principles and practices, and the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans at both the state and local levels.
• Ability to conduct conference calls, training sessions, meetings, and other public meetings to articulate program concepts verbally.
• Ability to communicate information in a clear & concise manner, both orally and in writing, with senior level officials at State, Federal and local governments and non-governmental and voluntary organizations having responsibilities in emergency management.
• Ability to evaluate emergency situations, assess needs, and report the information to the appropriate Leadership levels.
• Ability to proficiently use Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) graphics, database management and internet research using the proper technological tools.
• Ability to write correspondence and technical reports to Bureau and Division Leadership.
• Ability to work effectively with others as a team, independently and remotely without direct supervision.
• Ability to travel daily and work irregular hours including nights, weekends, and holidays in response to emergency events.
• Ability to operate and maintain a work vehicle, public safety communications systems, and other Division assigned equipment.
• Ability to maintain a safe driving record.
• Reside in, or have the ability to relocate to, the region in which this position is identified.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of four years of experience in emergency management, public administration, or similar field; a post-secondary degree may be used as an alternative for years of experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Competition of ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 trainings within first 90 days of employment.
• Valid driver's license.
• Reside in, or have the ability to relocate to, the region in which this position is identified. Relocation is at the expense of the applicant, if selected.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted.

Special Notes:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

FDEM is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. FDEM appreciates the service and sacrifices made by veterans and their family members and recognizes the immeasurable value veterans bring to the workplace and is committed to increasing the number of veterans that serve in its workforce.

FDEM is committed to increasing recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities and improving employment outcomes. An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the FDEM Human Resources Office at (850) 815-4177. FDEM requests applicants notify the Human Resources Office in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida and FDEM participate in E-Verify. This federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

In response to emergency events, FDEM employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including nights, weekends, and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee's position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.