OPS Program Development Specialist - 31902270

Requisition No: 842580 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: OPS Program Development Specialist - 31902270

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 31902270 

Salary:  $25.00 hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 01/06/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Program Development Specialist

 Response Bureau / Operations Section 

State of Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

The Florida Division of Emergency Management 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. The Division of Emergency Management (FDEM or Division) 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.

The Division 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, the Division manages the State Watch Office; 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:

This position serves as the Program Development Specialist within the Bureau of Response and is responsible for evaluating and overseeing bureau training programs and systems to assist with the preparation and maintenance of various products. The general duties will include being highly detail-oriented while producing concise, focused reference material that communicates complex information in a clear and engaging manner. The incumbent will transform raw data, structured information and guidelines into various media, including job aids, or standard operating procedures. This role requires an ability to work with provided frameworks to create material that is both visually appealing and conceptually comprehensive.

The duties and responsibilities for the position include, but are not limited to:   

• Develop concise and engaging content based on standardized guidelines and rubrics of the target audience and stakeholders
• Work with subject matter experts to ensure the accuracy of information
• Support various bureau training program activities while validating materials
• Perform needs assessments regarding the utilization of training programs and systems for efficiency and effectiveness
• Track program completion and provide recommendations to advance programs
• Conduct meetings and needs assessments to gather feedback on materials developed
• Perform technical writing tasks, including proofreading and editing documents for grammatical errors
• Serve as the main point of contact between program participants, internal teams, and external partners, ensuring smooth collaboration to meet goals and objectives
• Perform other duties as duties as assigned
• Perform duties as assigned during activations of the emergency operation center, work non-traditional hours, and travel for extended periods. The employee must be able to deploy to anywhere in Florida or the United States for up to two weeks at a time. Travel requirements in supoort of emegergency operations may be extensive.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of state, local, and federal responsibilities during disasters and the roles of the State Emergency Operations Center.
• Knowledge of content creation methods and engagement tools.
• Ability to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Skill in maintaining multiple documents and projects and meeting deadlines.
• Skill in collecting, reviewing, and summarizing information with computer software.
• Ability to utilize creative techniques to convey critical concepts to various audiences across platforms (Teams, Zoom, etc.).
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing.
• Skill in operating computer programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, editing and publishing software.
• Ability to conduct internet research.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours and travel and/or work in a field environment during disaster conditions when necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or higher in English, Journalism, Business, or a related field; or a minimum of two years' work experience in job aids, presentation design, program creation, or a related field.
• Valid driver’s license

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 Division of Emergency Management is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. The Division 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.

The Division of Emergency Management 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 the Division of Emergency Management 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, Division of Emergency Management employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 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.