Deputy Operations Section Chief
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.
About the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS)::
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) leads Indiana's emergency planning and operations, first responder training, and fire and building safety. The agency hosts state-level training exercises each year and certifies thousands of first responders. IDHS also supports the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which leads response and coordination efforts for large-magnitude incidents.
IDHS is also designated as the State Administrative Agency for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants within Indiana. These funds provide financial and technical assistance to local governments, non-profit organizations, individuals, and families to reduce the actual or potential risk of loss of life or property across Indiana.
Role Overview:
This position is the Deputy Operations Section Chief for the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). In this capacity the Deputy Operations Section Chief is responsible to assist the Operations Chief with the management of all emergency support function personnel and coordination/liaison of all field response operations, specialty team deployments, and to coordinate the deployment of local response resources as state assets in accordance with the Mobile Support Unit (MSU) law, for emergencies, disasters and any other related activities including special field operations. The Deputy Operations Chief also acts as the Operations Section Chief during the overnight shift during SEOC activations and whenever the Operations Chief is unavailable. Additionally, this position is responsible for the coordination of the Regional Incident Management Teams and the training of state partner agencies, and district/county response personnel on state response plans, logistics plans, points of distribution (POD) plans, and other plans or procedures developed and implemented through the SEOC.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $47,320.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- Develop comprehensive emergency tactical and operational plans, statewide analyses, and evaluations.
- Coordinate with local, state, and federal partners to ensure consistency, feasibility, flexibility and interoperability of all operational or tactical plans.
- Coordinate with the timetable and execution of tabletop, functional and full-scale exercises for the emergency plans.
- Provide guidance to political sub-divisions of the state to enable each jurisdiction to develop area plans.
- Head planning teams to meet the requirements.
- Coordinate, promote and manage district level training and exercise training programs.
- Assist local, state, and federal partners in developing and conducting training exercises at the state and regional level.
- Prepare short and long-range training plans for state and local responders.
- Act as an exercise facilitator, controller, or evaluator during scheduled exercises.
- Some essential functions of this position may be performed onsite at the agency’s worksite or other assigned worksites while some essential functions of this position may be eligible for work from home authorization in accordance with policy. Remote work authorization is not automatic and is dependent upon operational needs and agency approval.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirement to be considered for employment:
- Specialized knowledge of planning techniques and procedures.
- Specialized knowledge of urban planning, transportation planning and state and local economic and industrial development.
- Working knowledge of emergency disaster, emergency cause and effect and procedures and methodology to minimize adverse effects.
- Ability to use the techniques of fact-finding and analysis to interpret statistical information and trends concerning the physical, social, and economic aspects of population centers.
- Ability to explain the programs and secure cooperation between local, state, and federal government and private executives.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and through structured media.
- Ability to develop plans and feasible techniques and methods to achieve plan solutions.
- Ability to comprehend and interpret federal and state laws, guidelines, and regulations relative to disaster planning and operations.
- Position requires travel to scheduled exercise sites to act as facilitator, controller, or evaluator.
- Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid new parent leave
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
