Director, Internal Operations Office, PEMA

Full Job Description

Do you lead confidently under pressure and excel at turning chaos into coordinated action? The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is seeking a motivated professional to supervise and direct staff performing Watch Officer functions at the forefront of emergency incidents and disasters. In this role, you will guide and mentor Watch Officers, ensure operational readiness, and maintain consistent, high-quality situational awareness reporting for the Commonwealth. You will oversee real-time assessment of emergencies, validate analytical products, and provide clear direction and support to county and local responders while upholding exceptional customer service standards. You will also serve in the Commonwealth Response and Coordination Center (CRCC) during activations for disasters and emergencies, coordinating information flow, supporting operational leadership, and ensuring accurate, timely decision support for statewide response operations. If you have the experience, knowledge, and leadership skills to manage a team, prioritize competing demands, and ensure prompt decision support during critical events, this may be the position for you. Apply today to take on a career where every minute counts and your leadership directly shapes high-stakes decision-making across Pennsylvania.

Requirements

As the Director of Internal Operations, you will lead personnel responsible for delivering critical information by coordinating, and prioritizing time-sensitive data to ensure appropriate parties receive actionable information for response and recovery operations. You will oversee Watch Officer activities, review, and validate situational reports, and provide guidance to staff to maintain accurate, timely, and consistent operational awareness across the Commonwealth. You will work closely with municipal, county, and governmental entities, as well as open sources, media, and non-governmental organizations, to strengthen coordination and continuously improve operational quality for customers and citizens.

In support of agency strategic initiatives, you will ensure effective communication and supervise staff in the execution of response and transition to recovery during activations, situational awareness, resource support, and planning functions. You will evaluate information, guide analytical decision-making, and confirm that notifications and actions are coordinated appropriately and that all necessary stakeholders are alerted. Within this role, you will lead efforts to improve work processes and recommend procedural or equipment updates.

You will also supervise and participate in Commonwealth Response and Coordination Center activations during emergencies and disasters, directing staff responsibilities, coordinating information flow, and supporting operational leadership to ensure accurate and timely decision support. This position also provides opportunities to mentor staff, develop cross-training across response center functions, and enhance readiness through activation exercises.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• In the event of an emergency/disaster situation or training exercise, this position may be required to travel, work up to 12-hour shifts, and work outside of the normal work hours, including weekends and overnights.

Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time.

In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania.

If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time.

Additional details may be provided during the interview.

• Free and secure on-site parking.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will receive the minimum starting salary listed on this posting. The starting salary is non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Six years of professional emergency management experience in disaster operations, public safety, or related emergency services programs that includes two years of emergency management program planning and policy development and one year of supervisory experience, and a bachelor’s degree in public administration, public safety, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes two years of emergency management program planning and policy development and one year of supervisory experience.

Additional Requirements:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.