Homeland Security Strategic Planner

Health, vision, dental, and life insurance; annual and sick leave; paid holidays; pension and tax-deferred compensation (457) plans; and more.

An employee in this class of work is responsible for assisting with necessary planning support needed to comply with the needs of the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program as defined in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Notice Of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Tampa Bay Urban Area. Work is performed under general supervision requiring the use of reasonable initiative and independent judgment in completing assigned tasks and meeting time constraints. Work activities are reviewed while in progress, through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained.

Provides preparedness planning support with the responsibility of successfully executing required planning directed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Tampa Bay Urban Area.  

Provides assistance to the Urban Area Working Group (UAWG) in support of compliance requirements of the Office for Domestic Preparedness as it relates to, the National Preparedness Goal & the eight National Priorities.  This includes, but is not limited to, Tampa Bay Urban Area Working Group Charter, discipline committee’s governance documents, and a regional gap and capabilities assessment.  

Facilitates the Tampa Bay UASI’s role in meeting the ongoing needs associated with updating and completing the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder preparedness review (SPR) processes, sign off on, and submitted DHS/FEMA as required; and assist regional emergency management departments and regional first responders with exercises designed to close gaps identified in the THIRA and SPR processes.

These will include, but not limited to; severe weather exercises, executive leadership tabletop exercises, emergency response center full–scale, continuity of operations full-scale, special events readiness exercises, family assistance center tabletop exercises. Participate on the Local Mitigation Strategy Committee.  Assist in UAWG meeting preparation as well as take meeting minutes during the UAWG meeting, as needed.  Aid in transitioning paper files into an electronic database.  Perform additional Homeland Security Related Duties as they arise. 

Performs other related duties.

Considerable knowledge of: the development of Homeland Security efforts; principles and practices of emergency management and planning functions; policies and procedures; public safety operations and services.   

Working knowledge of: Homeland Security operations and concepts; the National Response Framework; the National Incident Management System; NIMS Resource Manager, National Infrastructure Protection Plan, Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and State Preparedness Report (SPR) Processes, research techniques and related data sources. Completion of the following FEMA courses (available online at http://training.fema.gov/IS/): IS 100, 200, 700, 703, 800 and 860.  

Ability to: conduct research and analytical activities; effectively collect, assimilate, analyze, and interpret data and draw sound conclusions; work independently and as a member of a team; prepare oral and written reports and impart them effectively; formulate sound recommendations and present them effectively; develop long-term strategies and goals; interpret policies, procedures, codes, ordinances and regulations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing.  

Skill in: developing and conducting formal presentations;

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in planning, public or business administration, criminal justice/homeland security, project administration or a related field and five (5) years of planning experience and six (6) months emergency management experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license.

This is a federal grant/contract funded position for a minimum of twelve (12) months which may be extended depending on the availability of funds.  

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

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