OPS Individual Assistance Planner - 31902587 at State of Florida

Requisition No: 867285

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: OPS Individual Assistance Planner - 31902587

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 31902587

Salary: $35.00/Hourly

Posting Closing Date: 01/05/2026

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OPS Individual Assistance Planner

Bureau of Recovery

Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

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

FDEM 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, FDEM manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hour 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 is a full-time position within the Bureau of Recovery. The Individual Assistance Planner assists the State Individual Assistance Officer and the Recovery Bureau's Individual Assistance Team to plan for and recover from disasters or emergency events. The Individual Assistance (IA) Planner also acts as a liaison with other local, state, and federal agencies who coordinate with FDEM to establish Disaster Recovery Centers and Multi-Agency Resource Centers. The duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review local Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans (CEMP) to ensure Recovery plans comply with relevant federal and state law, policy, and guidelines.
• Assist State Individual Assistance Officer (SIAO) and other subject matter experts to develop program guidance, policies, and procedures related to IA programs.
• Assist with the maintaining of processes, planning, and coordination of Individuals Assistance Programs (i.e. Damage Assessments, Disaster Recovery Centers, Disaster Survivor Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Housing, and any other Individual Assistance programs) when applicable.
• Assist with the implementation, coordination, and management of Non-Congregate Sheltering programs and other Public Assistance grant funded projects that support individuals and households in disaster recovery.
• Coordinate and facilitate conferences, trainings, and workshops on behalf of the IA unit and wider Recovery Bureau.
• Seek grant funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals.
• Maintain situational awareness of potential and actual impacts of disasters and emergencies and provide summarized data, to include population and demographics, to the SIAO in preparation for major disaster declaration requests and implementation of IA programs.
• Assist Recovery Bureau leadership with Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting requirements.
• Attend conferences, meetings, workshops, and other engagements related to IA and Disaster Recovery.
• SEOC, Disaster Recovery Centers, Recovery Coordination Center, and/or other state or regional facilities activated in response to an emergency. Staffing responsibilities may include deployment around the state pre- and/or post-disaster.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

In response to emergency events, FDEM 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.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of FEMA Individual Assistance programs, to include the Individuals and Households Program and Direct Housing.
• Knowledge of the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF).
• Knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command Structure (ICS).
• Strong demographic and population research and analysis skills.
• Grant writing skills and experience securing grant funding.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Skilled in writing, editing, and oral communications.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and manage on-going relationships with private sector representatives.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks under high stress situations.
• Skilled in Word, Excel, and other database/spreadsheet software, with the ability to use additional applications (e.g., PowerPoint, Power BI).
• Ability to work more than 8 hours per day (including nights, weekends, and holidays) and be deployed in support of disaster response for up to 14 days, if needed during declared state emergencies.
• Ability to travel as necessary and work in the State Emergency Operations Center as required.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional experience in one or more of the following fields: emergency management, urban planning, public service/public administration, or non-profit social services.
• Experience using Word, Excel, and other database/spreadsheet software, with the ability to use additional applications (e.g., PowerPoint, Power BI).
• Ability and wilingess to obtain the necessary primary instructor qualifications within 12 months of employment.
• Strong demonstrable skills in professional or technical writing and oral communications.
• 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.