Program Manager – Emergency Management & Planning
Location : Austin, TX
Work Type : Onsite / Hybrid
- Face-to-face interaction required ( 5x a week onsite
Schedule : Business hours + non-traditional hours during emergencies
Travel : Yes – some travel
Rate
$60-65 / hour
Job Summary
Our client is seeking a contractor to support emergency management planning, preparedness, and SOC (State Operations Center) coordination . This role manages the development and maintenance of emergency plans, supports disaster operations, coordinates with internal / external partners, and ensures compliance with state / federal requirements. Work involves program management, preparedness planning, SOC activation support, stakeholder communication, and cross-agency coordination (ESF-1 / Transportation).
Ideal for someone with strong emergency management planning experience—and a plus if they've worked with FEMA, reimbursement programs, or Texas emergency agencies like TAMFS, TCEQ, HHSC, TDEM, or DPS.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate state transportation assets, track incidents, prepare state reports, and support response / recovery operations.Manage emergency management and homeland security programs through planning, implementation, and documentation.Develop, update, and maintain TxDOT emergency plans, including :Homeland Security PlanWinter Weather / Ice & Snow PlanHurricane Response PlanContinuity and preparedness documentationFacilitate communication with TxDOT districts / divisions and external agencies during natural and human-caused events.Participate in and lead planning workgroups, meetings, and interagency coordination sessions.Support compliance with state / federal requirements, reporting processes, and STAR entries / management.Track resources, personnel, equipment, and costs for required state / federal reporting.Develop training materials and deliver presentations for internal and external audiences.Conduct research, plan reviews, and updates to manuals, templates, and guidance documents.Attend relevant emergency management meetings, trainings, and conferences to maintain technical knowledge.Possibly support TxDOT's ESF-1 liaison at the State Operations Center during activations.Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in emergency management, homeland security, public health, or related fieldOR equivalent experience (year-for-year substitution).3+ years of emergency management, disaster preparedness, or continuity planning experience.Knowledge of emergency management planning, mitigation, and continuity of operations concepts.Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills; ability to handle multiple priorities.Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to prepare concise reports and presentations.Proficiency with MS Office and basic internet-based applications.Ability to work independently and collaboratively across agencies and levels of leadership.Ability to plan and facilitate meetings, both in-person and virtual.Ability to work extended / non-traditional hours during emergency activations.Ability to travel statewide as needed.Must complete FEMA courses IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800 within [X] months of starting (or already have them).Preferred / "Nice-to-Have" Qualifications
Experience with FEMA / FHWA programs , federal reimbursement processes, or public assistance programs.Background working with Texas emergency management agencies.Experience representing an agency in an EOC / SOC environment , especially ESF-1 (Transportation).Mitigation or emergency planning specialization (mitigation planning, threat and hazard assessment, etc.).Prior work with hazard-specific plans (winter weather, hurricanes, hazmat, wildfires).Familiarity with TxDOT district / division operations or transportation emergency response.Experience with policy development, plan audits, or continuity program management.Experience developing curriculum, training sessions, or exercises.