Director of Public Safety Operations - 62000466

Requisition No: 872650 

Agency: Military Affairs

Working Title: Director of Public Safety Operations - 62000466

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 62000466 

Salary:  Up to $130,000 

Posting Closing Date: 04/10/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA STATE GUARD

*** OPEN COMPETITIVE***

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. on closing date

VACANCY # 62000466

WORK LOCATION: Tallahassee, Florida

ABOUT THE FLORIDA STATE GUARD (FSG)

The Florida State Guard serves Florida as a cornerstone of statewide crisis and emergency response. The mission of the Florida State Guard is to protect and preserve the life and property of the people of Florida from all threats to public safety through rapid deployment of ground, maritime, and air capabilities in partnership with state and local agencies. The Florida State Guard is a Division of the Florida Department of Military Affairs.

OUR BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dental, Vision and Supplemental Insurance     
• Retirement Benefits   
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Opportunities for Career Advancement
• Tuition Waiver for Public College Courses
• Training Opportunities
• For benefit information available to State of Florida employees, go to http://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. New employees of the Florida State Guard will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening.
2. New employees of the Florida State Guard are required to participate in a direct deposit/electronic transfer program. 
3. The Florida State Guard is paid on a monthly basis.
4. As a CANDIDATE, you may be required to provide documentation (i.e., High School Diploma or Equivalency, College Transcripts, ETC.) to verify meeting these Minimum Qualifications.

*NOTE*

To be considered for this position, application must be fully completed, your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process and clearly stated within the employment history.   

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university in a major field of study required; Graduate degree preferred.
• 10 years of management-level experience working in emergency management, disaster response (includes HA/DR and DSCA), or public safety operations.
• 10 years of G3 and/or J3-level joint task force management experience is preferred.
• 7 years of experience working in a leadership position within a federal, state, or medium or large-sized emergency management, disaster response, or public safety operations agency.
• 5 years of experience working in an executive-level position within a federal, state, or medium to large-sized emergency management, disaster response (includes HA/DR and DSCA), or public safety operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing communications at an executive level.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of Operations of the Florida State Guard is responsible for overseeing and directing the agency's operational functions, ensuring readiness, efficiency, and effectiveness across all state defense, emergency response, and public safety missions. The Director of Operations provides strategic leadership, develops operational policies and procedures, and coordinates with state, federal, and local agencies to support the Guard’s mission. The Director of Operations will be responsible for the deployment and employment of the Agency’s Ground, Air, Maritime, and Special Mission Units.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Operations Management

• Responsible for developing and executing the agency’s long-range strategic plan.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that align with the Florida State Guard’s mission and objectives.
• Oversee planning, execution, and evaluation of training programs, readiness exercises, and emergency response operations.
• Establish performance metrics and ensure accountability across all operational units.

2. Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Coordinate state-level emergency response activities in collaboration with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Florida National Guard, applicable state agencies, local authorities, and other relevant agencies.
• Responsible for joint task force planning and execution across emergency response and public safety portfolios.
• Maintain operational readiness for natural disasters, public safety emergencies, and state defense missions.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations regarding emergency management and civil defense operations.

3. Leadership & Personnel Management

• Direct, mentor, and evaluate senior operational staff and unit leaders.
• Oversee recruitment, retention, and development programs for personnel in the Operations Department.
• Promote a culture of safety, discipline, accountability, and mission-focused performance.

4. Policy, Planning, and Compliance

• Develop operational policies, standard operating procedures, and guidelines in line with state regulations and best practices.
• Monitor compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including military and emergency management regulations.
• Prepare and present operational reports, agency capability briefings, and recommendations to the Executive Director and relevant stakeholders.

5. Budget & Resource Management

• Collaborate with the Finance Officer to allocate resources efficiently to operational units and programs.
• Provides oversight to operational units and programs to ensure that concepts of operations are in compliance with resource and budget controls.

• Identify and implement cost-saving measures without compromising operational effectiveness.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of emergency management principles, incident command systems (ICS/NIMS), and disaster response operations.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, policies, and regulations governing state defense forces and emergency operations.
• Knowledge of operational planning processes, including contingency planning, risk assessment, and mission analysis.
• Knowledge of logistics, personnel management, and resource allocation in operational environments.
• Knowledge of interagency coordination, including working with local, state, federal, and non-governmental partners.
• Skill in operational planning and execution for complex, multi-mission environments.
• Skill in leadership and supervision of diverse teams, including uniformed and civilian personnel.
• Skill in decision-making under pressure and in time-sensitive or austere conditions.
• Skill in strategic communication, including briefing senior leadership and coordinating with partner agencies.
• Skill in resource management, including personnel, equipment, and facilities.
• Skill in problem-solving and conflict resolution within operational and organizational contexts.
• Skill in the use of operational planning tools, reporting systems, and standard office software.
• Ability to plan, direct, and oversee statewide or large-scale operations.
• Ability to establish priorities, delegate authority, and ensure mission completion.
• Ability to analyze complex operational situations and develop effective courses of action.
• Ability to maintain operational readiness and adapt plans to changing conditions.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with senior leaders, subordinate units, and external agencies.
• Ability to work extended hours and deploy in support of emergency operations when required.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, integrity, and accountability in a leadership role.
• Ability to travel at least 50% of the time as required by activation of the Florida State Guard

SPECIAL REMINDERS:

The State of Florida and The Florida State Guard participate in the E-Verify program. Federal law requires that all employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of any person hired to work in the United States.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

All members of the Florida Retirement System are required to contribute 3% of their salary on a pre-tax basis.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

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

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.

The Florida State Guard values and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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.