Remote Urban Academy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $7,592.00 - $10,204.00 Monthly
Location : Pierce County - Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-04258
Department: Military Department
Division: Emergency Management
Opening Date: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: 7/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
State Emergency Operations Center Planning Section Chief
Emergency Management Program Specialist 4
Camp Murray, WA
This recruitment has been republished for an additional two weeks. Applicants' that previously applied do not need to reapply.
Under the direction of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) Manager, the State EOC Planning Section Chief serves as the primary and lead Planning Section Chief for the Washington State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and in that role oversees and directs effective section activities as outlined in the SEOC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and as called for in National Incident Management System (NIMS) Doctrine for all aspects of incident response.
This is a state agency civilian position and does not require military service affiliation.
Emergency Management Division OverviewAs a part of the Washington Military Department, the Emergency Management Division leads and coordinates mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery in Washington State to minimize the impact of disasters and emergencies on the people, property, environment, and economy.
About the Washington Military DepartmentProtecting people is our passion. At the Washington Military Department, we combine our unique talents to create safer communities and ensure our neighbors and loved ones can recover from whatever emergency might arise. Our agency unites civilian employees with members of the Washington National Guard, creating a team that is deeply committed to public service. We go home at night knowing that our day-to-day work supports activities that truly make a difference. Whether that's partnering with our communities to prepare for a disaster, leading an emergency response, hiring top-notch talent or supporting at-risk kids at our Washington Youth Academy - the Washington Military Department seeks to safeguard our way of life and those that call Washington home.
To learn more about the Washington Military Department, visit:
In addition to job fulfillment, the Washington Military Department offers an excellent benefits package which includes exceptional health care coverage, a retirement savings plan, and job training opportunities.
Duties
Responsibilities include:

• Directly supervises any staff temporarily assigned to the SEOC Planning Section Chief.
• Serves as Planning Section Chief in the SEOC during and after EOC activations; supporting response to and recovery from emergency incidents, planned special events, and exercises.
• Trains and prepares SEOC staff assigned to the SEOC Planning Section.
• Provides expert level individualized and general support to SEOC staff through training, exercises, and credentialing.
• Leads and oversees the organization of and work performed by all staff assigned to and serving in the SEOC Planning Section to support effective and engaged SEOC staff members.
• Serves as lead for the SEOC Planning Section for preparedness, response, and recovery activities, including before, during, and after activations of the SEOC.
• Supports the credentialing and qualification efforts of SEOC staff assigned to the SEOC Planning Section.
• Builds close working relationships with and ensure effective coordination and communication with key partners before, during, and after SEOC activations.
• Develops, maintains, organizes, and supports SEOC situational awareness products and systems, response planning efforts, and pre-incident planning.
• Performs (rather than oversees) functions of the SEOC Planning Section if staff are not assigned to perform them.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. One year of experience as an Emergency Management Program Specialist 3, and
2. One year of lead and/or supervisory experience.

OR

1. A Bachelor's degree, and
2. Five years of professional level experience in emergency management , public safety (law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, search and rescue, hazardous materials), logistics, risk management, public works/engineering, managing critical infrastructure sector emergency functions (transportation systems, telecommunications, energy, water and wastewater systems, government facilities, nuclear facilities and materials, food and agriculture), financial management (grant, contracting, claims management, budgeting), training/education, public information/affairs, program/project management, environmental analysis/planning, legislative affairs, and/or urban planning. and
3. One year of lead and/or supervisory experience.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the education requirement. A Master's degree or Ph.D. degree will substitute for one year of the experience requirement.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference may be given to candidates who have:
Education:

• Bachelor's degree or master's degree in emergency management, homeland security, or public administration.
• IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400 training.
• All Hazards Planning Section Chief Position Specific Training (or equivalent).

Working Knowledge of:

• National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Incident Command System (ICS).
• National Qualification System (NQS).
• Functions and responsibilities of the Planning Section and all Planning Section Branches, Divisions, Groups, and Units.
• Community Lifelines and Critical Infrastructure Sectors.

Experience:

• Performing the functions of the Planning Section Chief position in an Incident Command Post (ICP) or Emergency Operations Center (EOC), or similar setting during response to large exercises and/or real-world emergency events.
• Gathering, analyzing, summarizing, and reporting on incident specific data or information to support response operations.
• Developing high quality written products to include reports, snapshots, briefings, infographics, and similar for a variety of audiences.
• Coordinating activities with a diverse group of stakeholders and participants.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Develop and implement plans in accordance with current state, federal, and supporting organizational directives.
• Provide training to staff of differing levels of experience and expertise.
• Develop and execute exercises and drills for a wide variety of participants of differing levels of experience and expertise.
• Understand and comfortably use different, new, and existing technology to improve processes, workflows, and perform daily job functions.
• Ability to take action to meet the needs of others
• Ability to take action to learn and grow.
• Use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, TEAMS, and SharePoint) to develop documents in support of program objectives.

Supplemental Information
Compensation: Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Background Investigation: Must successfully complete the appropriate background checks required for employment. Must be willing to sign releases of information and shall not have access to any investigative materials and files. The processing of background checks can take up to six months post-employment. Failure to successfully pass a background check may be cause for termination.
Union Shop Provision: This position is covered by a union shop provision - Washington Federation of State Employees.
Driver's License:

1. Valid to drive in the State of Washington.
2. Must meet requirements of the REAL ID Act. This is required for base access and will be required upon hire.

Military Facility: Willingness to work on a Military Controlled Access Installation.
Camp Murray uses the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) for entry to the installation. Must meet access requirements / background check which can be found in the ). This includes possession of an Enhanced Driver's License, or other REAL ID Compliant Identification.
Work Hours: A choice between a Tuesday through Friday (4/10 schedule): Monday through Thursday (4/10 schedule): or Monday through Friday (5/8 schedule). Actual hours will start no earlier than 6:00 am and end no later than 6:00 pm, and will include core business hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Telework: This position is eligible for some telework. The incumbent will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance between remote and in person work based on operational need and employee preference. Reporting to the workstation for work activities or participating in-person meetings will be needed.
Emergency Assignment: Upon activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) or Joint Field Office (JFO), incumbent may be required to work in an alternate location with rotating shifts, including weekends and evenings, in a highly stressful and fast-paced environment.
Travel: Occasional statewide travel may be required up to 5% to include overnight stays.
Application Process
Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the "Apply" button and submit the following:

1. A current state application profile, and
2. Responses to the Supplemental Questions (Note that your responses to the supplemental questions will be used for interview selection), and
3. Cover Letter (no more than two pages), and
4. Resume, and
5. A list of three professional references. Please include at least two past/current supervisors, one peer and subordinate if applicable. For each reference include the following:

• Name
• Professional Title
• Working Relationship
• Daytime Phone Number
• Email Address

** A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.The information provided in your application must support your supplemental questionnaire responses. Responses not supported in your application and those referring to "see resume" will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.
This recruitment may be utilized to fill additional Emergency Management Program Specialist 4 vacancies for an additional 60 days after the recruitment closing date. If you have questions about the application process or this recruitment, please email Geri Harding at geri.harding@mil.wa.gov
The Washington Military Department is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruitment Section of State Human Resources at: Email: geri.harding@mil.wa.gov, Call: (253) 512-7384, or 711.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retiremen