OPS Planner IV - 31902292

Requisition No: 855395 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: OPS Planner IV - 31902292

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 31902292 

Salary:  $25.00/Hour 

Posting Closing Date: 07/02/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPS Planner IV

Burau of Mitigation, Planning Unit

State of Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters.  These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power.  FDEM is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

FDEM serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state’s efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, FDEM manages the State Watch Office (SWO); the 24-hours a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the State of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, “Coordinate, collaborate and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida” along with our vision of, “Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities”.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Mitigation Planner plays a critical role in supporting state and local hazard mitigation planning, coordination, and communication efforts. This position serves as a liaison between FDEM and local jurisdictions, stakeholders, and federal partners. This position supports the development, review, and implementation of the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS), Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) applications, State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) updates, and interagency coordination efforts such as Silver Jackets projects.

The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks, strong written and verbal communication skills, and a proactive approach to stakeholder engagement, document review, and technical assistance.

Specific duties include, but not limited to:

• Review and evaluate LMS plans for compliance per federal and state requirements (44 CFR Part 201.6 and FAC 27P-22).
• Request, review, and compile annual LMS updates and issue letters of compliance or non-compliance per FAC 27P-22.
• Review project lists for accuracy and preliminary funding eligibility.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to county-level LMS Working Groups.
• Participate in the development and facilitation of quarterly and project-specific meetings.
• Contribute to multi-agency project ideation, travel to sites, and assist in document development or review.
• Conduct planning project reviews for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
• Assist in preparing and distributing Notices Of Funding Availability and supporting materials.
• Contribute to quarterly Mitigate FL meetings and interagency collaboration.
• Assist in annual SHMP updates, including previous occurrences and policy changes.
• Participate in full SHMP plan updates (typically two years prior to expiration), supporting planning process coordination, risk assessment development, and GIS data gathering.
• Support creation, review, and editing of the FDEM Mitigation’s Bulletin.
• Assist with coordinating and presenting at quarterly statewide Mitigate Florida Workgroup meetings.
• Represent FDEM at public speaking engagements and LMS meetings across the state.
• Assist in the coordination and delivery of mitigation-related trainings at the county and state level.
• Serve as a Planner in Emergency Support Function (ESF) 5 and/or Planning Section during State Emergency Operation Center activations. Tasks may include collection and dissemination of information.
• Serve as a Planner in the Mitigation Section at a Joint Field Office post-disaster. Tasks may include Mitigation Planning and Coordination.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal and state hazard mitigation programs, particularly FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
• Understanding of emergency management structures and mitigation planning cycles
• Familiarity with multi-jurisdictional coordination
• Knowledge of applicable Code of Federal Regulations (e.g., 44 CFR) and FEMA mitigation planning guidance
• Understanding of standards and practices for reviewing planning documents, project lists, and federal grant documentation
• Ability to evaluate mitigation plans, project lists, and eligibility criteria, applying regulatory guidance to real-world scenarios
• Strong writing and editing skills for preparing letters of support, compliance letters, grant review documents, meeting minutes, and newsletters
• Skilled in leading or supporting stakeholder meetings, county consultations, and training sessions
• Competence using Microsoft Office Suite products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Ablility to manage multiple deadlines across projects, coordinate logistics for meetings and travel, and maintain structured documentation
• Ability to interpret and apply federal and state mitigation policies to support local planning efforts and funding opportunities
• Ability to engage effectively with internal teams, local governments, and partner agencies to provide technical assistance and promote collaboration
• Demonstrates sound judgement in dynamic, high-pressure situations
• Ability to pivot between blue-sky planning, and gray-sky operations, contributing to both routine and disaster-driven mitigation efforts
• Ability to identify gaps or inefficiencies in current processes and propose improvements to enhance service delivery or stakeholder engagement
• Ability to travel and work non-traditional work hours as necessary and during emergency events and assume disaster related duties as directed

Special Notes:

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

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. FDEM appreciates the service and sacrifices made by veterans and their family members. Further, FDEM recognizes the immeasurable value veterans bring to the workplace and is committed to increasing the number of veterans that serve in its workforce.

FDEM is committed to increasing recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities and improving employment outcomes. An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the FDEM Human Resources Office at (850) 815-4177. FDEM requests applicants notify HR 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.

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida and FDEM participate in E-Verify. This federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

In response to emergency events, FDEM employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than eight hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

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.