DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

MAINE SCHOOL SAFETY CENTER

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNER

Opening Date: April 16, 2025

Closing Date:  May 1, 2025

Job Class Code: CA26
Grade: 26
Salary: $62,129.60 - $87,817.60/Annually (Salary Schedule) 
Position Number: 014001116

Purpose:

The primary focus of this professional planning position is to oversee the Department of Education’s Emergency Planning Program in close consultation with the Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) Director. The role is integral to maintaining, updating, and supporting the MSSC’s School Safety Specialist Program, including direct engagement with school districts and designated cohorts. This position involves significant collaboration with First Responders, municipalities, and various regional and state organizations to develop school safety teams and address localized safety concerns. It translates federal and state emergency preparedness initiatives into actionable strategies within the regional and local first response frameworks. The incumbent will assist school administrative units and other stakeholders in creating and implementing comprehensive, high-quality emergency operations plans and hazard mitigation strategies, including coordination of drills, tabletop, and full-scale exercises. Serving as the Department’s subject matter expert in emergency management, this position is also responsible for identifying, applying for, and managing grant opportunities to support the delivery of statewide training and ongoing emergency preparedness support.  This position also serves as representative to MEMA at the State Emergency Operations Center in order to facilitate communication and partnership during disasters and exercises, to include potential nights and weekends.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the state's school unit organizational structure and familiarity with school positions, culture and dynamics.
• Knowledge of state security and safety standards and regulations.
• Knowledge of behavioral/comprehensive threat assessments.
• Knowledge of contracting methodologies and practices.
• Knowledge of school related safety issues.
• Knowledge of State and Federal data collection requirements.
• Knowledge of the state's RFP and contract process.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness and school security.
• Knowledge and ability to serve as a crisis resource, if necessary.
• Knowledge of continuity of operation and CPTED
• Knowledge of the federal government's National Incident Management System and Incident Command System structure in regard to emergency management operations.
• Ability to gather, analyze and present data.
• Ability to formulate and administer rules and regulations and to recommend changes.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and interact with a broad range of customers and state agencies.
• Ability to use technology to administer programs and improve operations.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement workshops, professional development and training sessions.
• Ability to communicate through presentations, webpages and reports.
• Ability to represent the Department in emergency preparedness planning.
• Ability to recommend, develop and administer contracts for assigned program areas.
• Ability to develop review and create policy regarding school emergency management and emergency operations planning
• Ability to work independently, problem solve and manage time and workflow.
• Ability to manage complex regulations and issues, work well in teams or alone, and represent MSSC publicly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• An associate degree or equivalent experience in emergency planning or a closely related field, and at least three years of related professional experience in school emergency management and working collaboratively with school administrators as part of a school safety team.

Preference will be given to candidates who can provide a letter of recommendation from a school administrator that they have worked with as well as knowledge of Continuity of Operations planning and previous experience as a first responder.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.09% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.