Agency Risk and Emergency Manager (WMS BAND 3), NON-PERMANENT

Full Job Description

NOTE:
This is a non-permanent position with the expected duration of eight (8) months. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.

About the Opportunity:
As the Agency Risk and Emergency Manager, you will serve as a high-level leader dedicated to safeguarding our mission through the integration of enterprise risk management, emergency preparedness, and occupational health and safety. Operating with significant independence and delegated authority, you will design and maintain robust programs that protect life safety, preserve mission-essential functions, and strengthen organizational resilience across the agency and the Capitol Campus. You will act as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, providing direct support on sensitive issues while driving measurable outcomes—from reducing workplace hazards and injury costs to ensuring the agency is prepared to respond effectively to any crisis.

Requirements

Some of What You'll Enjoy Doing Includes:

• Provide enterprise leadership for risk management, continuity of operations, emergency management, and occupational health programs.
  
• Lead agency-wide emergency efforts across all phases, including mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstitution.
  
• Maintain the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) through divisional alignment, executive education, and required reporting.
  
• Direct the enterprise risk management program, including risk identification, mitigation tracking, and liaison with the State Office of Risk Management.
  
• Supervise and manage a professional team of risk, safety, and emergency managers to ensure high-quality work products.
  
• Serve as the primary State Agency Liaison to the Washington Emergency Management Division during emergencies and continuity events.
  
• Coordinate emergency planning for the Capitol Campus and fulfill statewide obligations under Emergency Support Function (ESF) 3 and ESF 7.
  
• Activate and support emergency coordination structures, including the agency Emergency Coordination Center and State EOC.
  
• Design and evaluate training, exercises, and after-action reviews for emergency, continuity, and safety programs.
  
• Oversee occupational safety strategy, hazard reduction, workers' compensation coordination, and duty officer emergency response rotations.
  
  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, occupational safety and health, public administration, business administration, homeland security, risk management, or a closely related field.
• Progressively responsible experience leading emergency management, continuity, risk, safety, or related programs, including supervision of professional staff.
  
• Experience advising senior leaders and managing programs with enterprise-wide impact is highly relevant to this position.
• Demonstrated knowledge of incident management systems, continuity principles, enterprise coordination, policy development, executive-level communication, and cross-functional program leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in emergency management, occupational safety and health, public administration, business administration, homeland security, risk management, or a closely related field.
• FEMA ICS 300/400 and/or related incident management training.
• Professional credentials related to emergency management, continuity, safety, or risk management.
• Experience with ESF 3 and ESF 7 coordination.
• Experience leading exercises, after-action programs, and cross-functional teams in a public-sector environment.

Additional Information

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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