Emergency Planning Coordinator

Job Description:

Emergency Planning Coordinator

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. Our guiding principles-Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchor our approach in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austin residents. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Work in an environment where every voice is valued, and Innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments designed to foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

The Emergency Planning Coordinator (EPC) will assist with maintaining, reviewing, and revising all plans associated with the Emergency Management program, including identifying opportunities for, and developing new plans, as necessary. This position leads the Continuity of Operations Planning process for the utility, working closely with internal stakeholders to develop, review, and revise plans and provide training to plan developers, approvers, and working within the utility's software application to accomplish these goals.

The EPC is categorized as an Essential employee, available during overnight, weekend, and holiday hours as necessary, serves on the Austin Energy Incident Management Team, and activates during critical incidents.

The EPC serves as a liaison between the utility and external stakeholders, including other city departments, and preparedness and response partners, vendors, agencies, and organizations.

The EPC develops, writes, and publishes reports, operations procedures, analyzes data, conducts after-action reviews, develops and maintains cooperative agreements, ensures operational readiness of program systems, represents the division at, conferences, exercises, drills, and meetings, and supports the division in all activities as needed.

The EPC participates in delivering training and presentations related to the Incident Command System and emergency management program activities.

Job Description:

Emergency Planning Coordinator

Purpose:

Under general direction, ensures operational readiness and designs response procedures to ensure the effective mobilization of protective, safety, and relief services in emergencies or disasters.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Assists in the development of short- and long-term planning goals and objectives for the department.
  
• Identifies capability gaps and identifies funding opportunities for solutions.
  
• Oversees and coordinates Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning.
  
• Participates in Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, emergency drills and exercises.
  
• Attends meetings with City of Austin Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), and other partner agencies.
  
• Assists in the development and maintenance of cooperative agreements with other organizations as needed.
  
• Participates in the maintenance and renewals of interlocal agreements when needed.
  
• Participates in hazard material incident cost recovery as needed.
  
• Ensures the operational readiness of special operations systems. Represents special operations at meetings, exercises, and conferences. Works cooperatively with special operations staff.
  
• Develops, writes, and publishes operating manuals, technical reports, and training materials.
  
• Participates in the grant process, including grant planning, application, and implementation.
  
• May participate in specification, calibration, maintenance, networking, tracking, retiring, and replacing of hazard material technical equipment.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Incident Command Systems.
  
• Knowledge of the development and coordination of emergency planning, techniques for evaluating emergency response procedures, business continuity standards, and best practices.
  
• Knowledge of technical equipment capabilities, maintenance requirements, sampling processes, and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances emergency response.
  
• Skill in oral and written communication.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  
• Skill in using and networking technical equipment.
  
• Skill in planning and organizing.
  
• Skill in negotiating common practices between stakeholders and other emergency agencies.
  
• Skill in maintaining productive relationships with internal and external customers and stakeholders.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to train others.
  
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
  
• Ability to exercise good judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all public dealings to include presentations.
  
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the job, plus four (4) years of experience in emergency response or planning.
  
• One (1) additional year of experience may substitute for one (1) year of the required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Class C Texas Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience participating on an emergency management team in a utility, municipality, or other similarly regulated entity.
  
• Working knowledge of Federal, State and local laws, regulations and policies in regard to emergency management.
  
• Background in emergency management activities including facilitating and delivering training related to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS), and conducting drills, workshops, and exercises related to emergency planning and response.
  
• Strong problem-solving, decision making, and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks in an environment with frequent interruptions and under intense pressure.
  
• Ability to develop relationships with other entities and outside organizations to ensure rapid and coherent response in emergency situations.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Location:

2500 Montopolis, Austin, TX 78741

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Additional work hours may be required to support the 24-hour Utility operations, which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, inclement weather and emergency closures.

Salary:

$71,630.00 - $90,980.00 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

Fair Labor Standards Act:

• This position is classified as EXEMPT (Salaried). Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime compensation.
  

Essential:

This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a City-designated emergency, Essential Employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees and ensure the continuity of essential operations. In such an emergency, Essential Employees may be called back in, may be required to modify their schedule, may be assigned to a City-designated work site, or may be retained on site to assist with operations and recovery.

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a valid Texas Class C Drivers’ License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. City of Austin employees that promote or transfer into driving required positions must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, external applicants cannot have more than six City Driver Points (CDP) within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-10-29