Emergency Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary:

Coordinates and administers MWRA's Emergency Planning and Management Program, including, but not limited to, drafting updates of emergency plans for facilities and departments across the Authority, training administration, and incident response team organization.

Posting Period: 8/5/2026 to 8/18/2026
Location: Chelsea, MA
Salary: $100,049.18 - $139,887.65 Annually
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Key Responsibilities

• Supports the Manager, Emergency Planning in drafting, administering and coordinating MWRA's emergency planning programs, plans, policies, and procedures, including coordinating the development of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for all MWRA facilities, Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), agency-wide plans, Continuity of Operations Plans, and other planning initiatives.
• Administer and supports the MWRA Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) program to ensure compliance with the requirements of America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA).
• Supports in-house technical staff in the implementation of emergency programs, including reviewing plans and developing strategy and audit protocols.
• Coordinates activities for the Emergency Services Unit Team to ensure water sampling response readiness. This is completed through preparation of documentation, training, drills and equipment maintenance.
• Oversees the work of professional consultants under contract to the Authority, including procurement, budgeting, and scope and milestone adherence. May be responsible for professional services contract development and procurement.
• Serves as technical consultant to senior management on issues relevant to natural hazard and severe weather preparedness and mitigation.
• Schedules and coordinates periodic emergency training, drills, exercises, and engagement with customer communities. May lead and deliver certain training initiatives under the direction of the Manager, Emergency Planning.
• Implements and administers existing operating/maintenance standards, policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for emergency response.
• Tracks and prepares reports on all Authority emergency response and preparedness trainings to be shared with senior management. Maintains accurate community and emergency contact list for response and training coordination.
• Engages governmental and regulatory agencies on behalf of the MWRA to plan and coordinate for any potential unforeseen emergency event.
• Drafts briefings for Manager, Emergency Planning to review and approve to present to MWRA's senior management, including the Board of Directors.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in any field is required; certification or degree in regional /public planning, emergency planning/management, or other related field is preferred; and
• At least five years' experience in emergency planning and management, risk assessment or related field, preferably in a large government or critical infrastructure organization; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.
• A valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operators License or driver's license from another state.
• Incident Command ICS 100/700, 200/800 and 300 certifications within 12 months of appointment.
• Ability to occasionally work evening or weekends for delivering emergency training or in cases of an MWRA emergency.
• This position may be eligible to telework up to 50% of the time after an initial waiting period.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in structuring, analyzing, delivering, and presenting data.
• Demonstrated practical experience with emergency planning and management with a track record of keeping projects on time, within budget, and in scope.
• Demonstrated excellent written, interpersonal, presentation and verbal communication skills.
• Strong command of time management and familiarity with project management.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office machines as normally associated with a professional office environment, including the use of telephones, personal computers, typical office software, email, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners, and machines.
Uses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), gas meters, and other safety response equipment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, including office equipment, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment. The employee occasionally works in the field in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally in environments with fumes and airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electric shock.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Manager, Emergency Planning. Under the direction of the Manager, Emergency Planning, coordinates the volunteer Emergency Services Unit (ESU), which collects water samples in emergencies, during training and incident response.

Other Position Information
PCR: 1510035
Division: Operations
Department: Planning
Union/Grade: MOSES (Unit 9)/Grade 25

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.