Regional Disaster Response SME - Western U.S

Overview

Title: Regional Disaster Response SME – Western US

Location: Field‑Based with travel across Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico

Compensation: $ - $ annually

Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and travel opportunities

Ceres Environmental Operations (CEO) is a leader in crisis management, rapid response, and disaster recovery, committed to rebuilding stronger, safer communities. We specialize in emergency response, environmental services, planning, and consulting—including debris removal, blue roofs, logistics, debris management, demolition, recycling, forest management, and coastal and marine restoration. As a licensed general contractor, we offer unparalleled expertise to restore stability where it’s needed most.

At CEO, we believe you re more than just an employee; you’re part of a team with a purpose and a meaningful mission. Every team member plays a vital role in restoring hope, helping communities recover and rebuild. We value initiative, respect diversity, and give our people the freedom to lead. We offer competitive pay, travel opportunities, and a culture built on resilience and teamwork.

If you show up with compassion, share the commitment, react with urgency, and deliver solutions, you’ll fit right in. We don’t just respond to challenges; we rise to them.

We are seeking a highly experienced Regional Disaster Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support all‑hazards emergency response and recovery operations across the Western United States (WA, OR, CA, NV, , MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM). This role provides leadership and technical expertise during large‑scale disasters. This includes wildfires and post‑fire flooding/debris flow, severe storms, high‑wind events, flash floods/riverine incidents, winter weather/ice events, earthquakes, and critical infrastructure impacts.

The SME is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing multi‑agency, multi‑county disaster operations across varied Western terrain while ensuring safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. This is a senior‑level field leadership role requiring strong decision‑making, prior federal/state/local disaster program experience (e.g., FEMA/USACE/State EMAs), and the ability to manage complex disaster environments.

Disaster Operations & Field Leadership

• Lead on‑the‑ground operations in support of regional emergency response missions, including wildfire recovery (e.g., PPDR, CPDR, demolition, hazard tree removal, and ash/soil impacts), infrastructure stabilization, debris clearance, temporary repairs, and community restoration efforts.
• Manage multi‑county field operations during simultaneous or cascading disaster events across remote/mountainous terrain, ensuring continuity and operational consistency.
• Direct work crews, subcontractors, logistics teams, and equipment resources to achieve safe and efficient execution.

All‑Hazards Planning & Coordination

• Develop incident‑specific operational plans for wildfires, post‑fire flooding/debris flow, flash floods/riverine events, severe storms, winter weather, earthquakes, and high‑wind events.
• Create and implement sectoring plans, site activation strategies, routing/logistics plans, and resource deployment models tailored to Western geographies (mountain, desert, forest, and urban‑wildland interface).
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies, including FEMA, USACE, and Western state emergency management agencies (e.g., Cal OES, WEMD/WA EMD, OEM/OR, IDHW/IOEM, MT DES, WY HLS, CO DHSEM, AZ DEM, Utah DEM), DOT agencies, utilities, forestry/wildland agencies, and municipal emergency divisions.

Site & Infrastructure Operations

• Support activation and oversight of incident facilities such as staging areas, temporary operations sites, command posts, or emergency support centers.
• Guide assessment and stabilization of impacted infrastructure (transportation routes, rights‑of‑way, access points, community assets),…