School Safety Readiness Exercise Program Manager

The Exercise Program Manager is responsible for managing the operation of a program or project, supervising employees, and providing oversight of and guidance to a team or area within the Texas School Safety Center.

Salary Range

$8,250-$8,594 per month

Job Duties

• Lead the planning, design, and facilitation of emergency management planning and exercise events (e.g., tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises).
• Collaborate with the EOP Program Manager to ensure alignment between the tabletop exercise and the annual Emergency Operations Plan Review Cycle expectations.
• Collaborate with local, regional, state, and federal agencies to provide and gain subject matter expertise as needed.
• Implement TxSSC logistics protocols to secure exercise locations, develop marketing materials, website registration content, and post-exercise surveys.
• Manage direct reports to successfully accomplish exercises on time and with high quality.
• Manage direct reports to successfully implement and update the Sheriffs Safety Meeting clearinghouse website and Consultant Registry on time, with high quality, and in alignment with Texas Education Code.
• Maintain exercise data for reporting to the TxSSC director, board, university, and Texas legislators.
• Provide multi-hazard emergency operations plan technical support to districts via email, phone, video conferencing, and in person as needed.
• Participate in regional, state, and federal exercises as directed by the Readiness associate director and TxSSC director.
• Attend regional, state, and federal conferences related to exercising to showcase the TxSSC’s work as directed by the Readiness associate director and TxSSC director.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public safety, education, or a related field
• Significant experience leading the design, coordination, facilitation, and evaluation of complex emergency preparedness exercises
• Expertise in multi-hazard emergency operations planning, particularly in K–12 schools, charter schools, or higher education settings
• Thorough knowledge of Texas Education Code Chapter 37 and its requirements for school safety and emergency management
• Advanced understanding of FEMA’s National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) protocols
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction, ensure compliance with state and federal standards, and oversee exercise program implementation
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills, with the ability to influence at multiple organizational levels

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Emergency Management or closely related field, including:
• Working towards completion of the Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP).
• At least 10 years of supervisory experience.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, homeland security, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in planning, facilitating, and evaluating emergency response exercises with educational environments.

Additional Information to Applicants

Candidates selected for an interview will be expected to prepare a presentation, no longer than 20 minutes, covering a high-level overview of key components to include in the planning and implementation of a Reunification Annex tabletop exercise (8-hours long, in-person).

About the Texas School Safety Center

The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is an official university-level research center at Texas State University. The TxSSC is tasked in Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code and the Governor’s Homeland Security Strategic Plan with key school safety initiatives and mandates. Specifically, the TxSSC serves as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of safety and security information through research, training, and technical assistance for K-12 schools and junior colleges throughout the state of Texas. In addition, the TxSSC also builds partnerships among youth, adults, schools, law enforcement officers, and community stakeholders to reduce the impact of tobacco on all Texans through prevention, training and enforcement initiatives.

To apply for this position, please visit https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/54217