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Operations Section Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Planning Section Chief

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$40 - $55/hr

This role will be onsite at the designated Emergency Operations Center for the duration of the mission. Position Summary: * Job Title: Planning Section Chief * Full Time or Part Time: FT - 12 hour ...

Planning Section Chief

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$40 - $55/hr

This role will be onsite at the designated Emergency Operations Center for the duration of the mission. Position Summary: * Job Title: Planning Section Chief * Full Time or Part Time: FT - 12 hour ...

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Operations Section Chief information

See salary details

$41.5K

$151.2K

$269.5K

How much do operations section chief jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for operations section chief in the United States is $151,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,500.00 and $185,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the role of a section chief?

An Operations Section Chief is responsible for managing a specific operational area within an organization or incident response, overseeing personnel, resources, and activities to ensure objectives are met. They coordinate with other sections, implement plans, and ensure safety and efficiency during operations.

What is the difference between Operations Section Chief vs Operations Supervisor?

AspectOperations Section ChiefOperations Supervisor
CredentialsTypically requires incident management certifications (e.g., ICS, NIMS)Often requires relevant industry experience and sometimes certifications
Work EnvironmentEmergency response, incident management, field operationsDay-to-day operational oversight in a specific department or area
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in emergency services, disaster response, and incident managementCommon in manufacturing, logistics, and corporate operations

The Operations Section Chief is primarily responsible for managing incident operations during emergencies, often in a command role, requiring specialized certifications. In contrast, the Operations Supervisor oversees daily operational activities within a specific area or department, focusing on routine management. Both roles involve leadership but differ significantly in scope, environment, and certification requirements.

What are Operations Section Chiefs?

Operations Section Chiefs are key leaders in emergency management or incident command systems. They are responsible for managing all tactical operations at an incident site, including deploying resources, overseeing response teams, and ensuring that action plans are carried out effectively. Their role is crucial in coordinating between various teams and making real-time decisions to address the incident safely and efficiently. Operations Section Chiefs typically report to the Incident Commander and work closely with other section chiefs to achieve incident objectives.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

High-level executive roles such as Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers, and other C-suite positions often have annual compensation exceeding $500,000, especially in large corporations. Additionally, specialized roles like top-tier surgeons, successful entrepreneurs, and certain investment bankers can also reach or surpass this income level, often requiring extensive experience, advanced skills, and significant responsibility.

Which position does the operations section chief report directly to?

The Operations Section Chief typically reports directly to the Incident Commander or the designated senior authority in an incident management system. This position is responsible for overseeing operational activities and coordinating resources during emergency response or large-scale operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Operations Section Chief, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operations Section Chief, you need strong leadership abilities, experience in incident management, and a solid understanding of emergency response protocols, often supported by ICS (Incident Command System) training. Familiarity with emergency management software, resource tracking systems, and relevant certifications like FEMA ICS-300/400 are typical requirements. Decisiveness, effective communication, and adaptability under pressure are crucial soft skills for coordinating teams and managing evolving situations. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure efficient resource allocation, team safety, and successful incident resolution during emergencies.

What are the typical challenges faced by an Operations Section Chief during emergency response situations?

An Operations Section Chief often faces challenges such as rapidly changing priorities, coordinating multiple teams simultaneously, and making critical decisions with limited information. Balancing resource allocation while ensuring the safety of personnel can be particularly demanding, especially in high-pressure environments. Strong communication and adaptability are essential, as the role requires constant collaboration with other incident command staff and external agencies. These challenges make the position both demanding and rewarding for professionals who thrive in dynamic situations.
More about Operations Section Chief jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Section Chief jobs? The most popular types of Operations Section Chief jobs are:
What states have the most Operations Section Chief jobs? States with the most job openings for Operations Section Chief jobs include:
Infographic showing various Operations Section Chief job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $151,203 per year, or $72.7 per hour.
Planning Section Chief

Planning Section Chief

AC Disaster Consulting

Grand Junction, CO โ€ข On-site

$40 - $55/hr

Full-time, Part-time, Temporary

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Introduction:

We are a leading, national consulting firm that provides compassionate, full-spectrum emergency management services including planning and preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation services to the public and private sectors before, during and after a natural disaster or catastrophic event.

Our mission is to provide compassionate consulting services to local, state, federal, and industry clients, active in disaster response, recovery, and preparedness. We will be on time, on target, and on budget with the services aligned to the evolving threats and hazards facing our nation.

The position will be guided by ACDCโ€™s Corporate Values Platform in all activities.

This role will be onsite at the designated Emergency Operations Center for the duration of the mission.

Position Summary:

  • Job Title: Planning Section Chief
  • Full Time or Part Time: FT - 12 hour work days expected
  • Temporary/Seasonal/Regular: Temporary
  • Compensation: $40-$55/Hour
  • Travel/Location: Onsite, CO EOC locations

Benefits Summary:

  • Temporary positions are not benefits eligible except where required by law.

Mission of Role/Position Summary:

The Planning Section Chief (PC), in coordination with the SERT Chief and the Operations Section Chief, establishes the operational objectives of the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) through the action planning process. This role involves the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of information related to the mission, operational developments, resource status, and accomplishments.โ€ฏ

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

  • Supervise the collection and collation of all planning documents, developing the Incident Action Plan, Situation Report, and other planning documents.โ€ฏโ€ฏ
  • Establish information reporting requirements and deadlines.โ€ฏโ€ฏ
  • Coordinate technical planning staff support to provide specialized information such as weather and mapping data.โ€ฏโ€ฏ
  • Facilitate Morning and Evening SEOC Briefings, County Coordination Calls, and other necessary meetings.โ€ฏโ€ฏ
  • Develop and disseminate Situation Reports, Flash Reports, and other required reports.โ€ฏโ€ฏ
  • Develop EOC Incident Action Plans and facilitate action planning meetings.โ€ฏโ€ฏ
  • Establish and maintain an event chronology, maintain battle rhythm on WebEOC, and schedule conference room needs for the SERT.โ€ฏโ€ฏ
  • Assist on portions of projects and ensure all aspects are completed as outlined in the contract scope of work and timeline.
  • Attend meetings and conference calls with clients.
  • Maintain currency of and compliance with applicable state and federal policies, procedures, and guidance documents for applicable roles.
  • Develop division and agency emergency plans and standard operating procedures.
  • Maintain knowledge and situational awareness of current developments in emergency management and facilitate intelligence and information sharing across the division and/or agency as appropriate using critical information systems.
  • Communicate observations and recommendations for improvement to program areas and/or initiatives.
  • Oversee the preparation of plans that are needed or may become needed.
  • Communicate to all sections chiefs what your plans are designed to do and how the needed resources will support them.
  • Provide plans ready that will support the current needs as well better prepare the client for the future.
  • Provide communication, reports, data and updates as requested.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and written.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive customer and internal information.
  • Capable of multi-tasking when necessary.
  • Strong familiarity with state and local governments is necessary.
  • Excellent critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
  • Highly organized, detail oriented and self-motivated.
  • Strong time management skills.
  • Strong desire to help people.
  • Ability to be flexible and make quick decisions as disasters change and develop.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

May have lead responsibilities within projects or small teams depending on function with senior level support.

Expected Hours of Work:

Schedule may vary, but 12-hour work days can be expected. Work on evenings and weekends may be required. Dependability and punctuality are paramount.

Travel Requirements:

  • Travel to work site.
  • Must be willing to travel and deploy to client sites for extended periods of time.

Physical Demands:

  • Mobility required on-site with clients.
  • Sitting or standing for hours at a time.
  • Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time if needed.
  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. repetitively throughout the day and as needed.

Working Environment:

  • May work in an office or home environment or be deployed to the field which may require working outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
  • Work may be on-site with clients ex: EOC, hospital, debris sites or local government buildings.

Workplace Health & Safety:

We are committed to fostering a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to champion a culture of safety by complying with all health and safety policies and procedures, completing required training, identifying and reporting hazards, exercising sound judgment, and taking reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves, their colleagues, clients, and the communities we serve.

Requirements

Experience and Education Required

  • Bachelorโ€™s degree in Emergency Management or applicable field.
  • 2+ years experience in emergency management planning and project management.
  • Experience and knowledge of working within the Incident Command Framework at state or federal levels.
  • Experience working in an Emergency Operations Center or disaster response, including at least 2 activations or exercises in a supervisory or key support capacity.
  • Capable of critical decision-making in a highly charged and dynamic environment.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel.
  • The following training courses must be completed prior to requesting the task book:โ€ฏ
    • IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400 IS-700, IS-800, E/G/L-0191, E/L-0958, O-0305

Experience and Education Preferred

  • Proficient with Salesforce.
  • Five or more years professional experience in emergency management.
  • Masterโ€™s degree in finance/Accounting, Emergency Management or a related field.
  • Applicable Certifications:
    • Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
  • Proficient with Web EOC
  • ICS position-specific certification preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Eligibility to work in the United States without employer sponsored visa is required. We are not able to employ those located outside of the US.
  • Must pass company and any applicable client background check and reference check upon offer of employment.

Benefits

Temporary positions are not benefits eligible except where required by law.

EEO Statement

AC Disaster Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence,โ€ฏcompensation,โ€ฏand training.โ€ฏAC Disaster Consultingโ€ฏwill not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any protected characteristic.

Please redact or remove information that identifies applicant's age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at (or graduation from) an educational institution from the resume or other application documents prior to submitting the application.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting AC Disaster Consulting Human Resources team at hr@acdisaster.com.

We use E-Verify for all candidates who are offered and accept a position with us. Please visit this link to theโ€ฏE-Verify Websiteโ€ฏand this link to view theโ€ฏE-Verify rights posterโ€ฏto understand your rights in this process.