Emergency Management Planner - Program Planner

Job Description

The Emergency Management Planner supports statewide preparedness by coordinating planning, grant management, training, and exercise activities with local, state, and federal partners. This position ensures that emergency management plans meet required standards, provides technical assistance to local jurisdictions, and serves as a liaison between the Department and county emergency management agencies. The role also contributes to statewide training, exercise development, and interagency coordination to strengthen Iowa’s emergency management capabilities.

The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s (HSEM) Mission Statement is Enhancing the quality of life for Iowans by preparing our State and building resilient communities. The person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the HSEM’s four core values:

MISSION ORIENTED
- We are resolute in our service to Iowans

INTEGRITY - We conduct ourselves with honesty and are transparent in our actions

DISTINGUISHED
- We are leaders in our field

ONE TEAM
- We collaborate, connect, and share

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented Emergency Management Planner to support statewide preparedness efforts through planning, grant oversight, interagency coordination, and training and exercise support. This position requires a proactive professional who excels in communication, organization, and collaborative problem-solving, and who is committed to advancing HSEM’s mission of building a safer, more resilient Iowa.

Reporting to the Preparedness Bureau Chief, this position works closely with programs and bureaus across the department and is based at the Iowa National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Johnston, IA. Desired knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Knowledge of emergency management principles, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Knowledge of grant administration processes, including application review, monitoring, reimbursement, and closeout.
• Skills in project management, including organizing work, tracking progress, and meeting deadlines.
• Proficiency in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with local, state, federal, and community partners.
• Ability to provide technical assistance to local jurisdictions and guide them through planning or grant processes.
• Capability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities or emerging needs.
• Represent the Department with professionalism and maintain positive working relationships across jurisdictions.
• Serve in various operational roles during emergencies or periods of high workload.

You will be an integral member of the HSEM team by providing subject matter expertise and detailed planning in support of the department’s mission by:

Planning and Compliance

• Coordinating with state and county emergency management agencies to ensure compliance with departmental planning standards and applicable state and federal laws.
• Developing, reviewing, updating, and maintaining emergency management plans, including Response, Recovery, COOP/COG, and the State Distribution Plan.
• Providing technical assistance to partners during plan development and updates.
• Tracking planning activities and prepare reports on the status of state and local plans.
• Assisting in developing planning statistics, conducting research, designing planning tools, and maintaining planning files and training materials.
• Gathering and developing resource data and assemble background information for urban and regional planning initiatives.
• Providing technical assistance to local governments, schools, special districts, and community organizations on planning requirements and departmental initiatives.
• Representing the Department at public meetings and training events to communicate planning program objectives.

Grant Management

• Serving as the first-level reviewer for grant applications submitted by assigned local emergency management agencies.
• Providing technical assistance to local emergency managers throughout the grant application and performance period.
• Rev…