Emergency Preparedness Specialist

About This Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Emergency Preparedness & Campus Safety, this position enhances the UW Tacoma campus’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies by developing and refining protocols, procedures, and training materials. The role also contributes to policy development, business continuity planning, and process‑improvement initiatives that advance a culture of safety and preparedness across UWT.

Key Responsibilities

• Emergency Preparedness and Response (50%)
  • Create and implement emergency preparedness assessment frameworks to evaluate the long‑term effectiveness of existing campus emergency plans and activities.
  • Develop high‑level directives and procedures; present recommendations to campus leadership for review and approval.
  • Collaborate with organizational units, community groups, and state, county, and city agencies to gain broad‑based support and assistance.
  • Assist department administrators in developing department‑level preparedness and mitigation plans aligned with campus‑level plans.
  • Schedule and conduct training, drills, and exercises to test emergency response plans at all organizational levels.
  • Work with lab managers, principal investigators, Health & Safety Committee, Building Coordinators, departmental administrators, and student organizations to evaluate safety and compliance concerns and recommend improvements to policies, procedures, and SOPs.
  • Coordinate with UW Emergency Management (UWEM) in Seattle to ensure alignment with university‑wide standards.
  • Advise UWT leadership on actionable efficiencies between campus and enterprise operations in various emergency scenarios.
  • In collaboration with the Public Information Officer, develop and maintain documented communication procedures for use before, during, and after emergencies; ensure coordinated messaging.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate records, forms, logs, and documentation related to emergency preparedness activities, training sessions, and compliance requirements (e.g., phone trees, vendor and community partner contacts).
  • Organize and maintain shared collaboration tools.
  • Serve as liaison with Tacoma Fire Department inspectors and collaborate with UWT Facilities on relevant work orders.
  • Act as Incident Commander when appropriate during emergency situations.
  • Conduct after‑action reviews to identify areas for improvement and inform future planning.
  • Provide guidance on emergency preparedness budgets and procurement of supplies and materials.
  • Support annual Clery Act training sessions and reporting.
  • Conduct outreach activities (presentations, campus tabling, orientation sessions, online resources) to promote awareness among students, faculty, and staff.
  • Communicate updates and procedures across campus using multiple channels; create visual aids such as flowcharts and checklists.
  • Maintain and update emergency preparedness content on the UWT website.
  • Serve as liaison with institutional oversight groups, including UW Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and UWEM.
• Business Continuity and Recovery (25%)
  • Collaborate with institutional stakeholders to identify critical functions and services that must be restored promptly during emergencies.
  • Develop and maintain a campus‑wide business continuity and recovery plan.
  • Determine necessary systems, contracts, and communication protocols to support timely restoration of critical services.
  • Support department managers in creating and executing business continuity plans to meet recovery time objectives.
  • Develop and conduct assessments such as tabletop exercises and drills; recommend improvements.
  • Coordinate updates to the business continuity database to ensure accurate, current information.
  • Identify gaps in campus‑wide emergency assessment, preparedness, and training; prioritize improvements and make recommendations to leadership.
  • Identify opportunities for cooperative agreements with local jurisdictions, higher‑education districts, and regional partners; draft contractual agreements as appropriate.
• Environmental Health and Safety (20%)
  • Support maintenance and continuous improvement of environmental health and safety at UWT in collaboration with UW EH&S and campus leadership.
  • Conduct incident investigations, ensure proper documentation, and help inform leadership.
  • Educate and promote reporting tools for UWT.
  • Assist with coordination of EH&S occupational health, workplace safety, and training programs as needed.
  • Maintain UWT‑specific health and safety plans and procedures centrally.
  • Support UWT Facilities’ chemical waste management processes and other EH&S activities across campus.
  • Serve as a member of the UWT Health & Safety Committee and participate in university committees and cross‑functional project teams.
  • Support investigations of accidents, injuries, exposures, and near‑miss events; track and verify completion of corrective actions.
• Teamwork (5%)
  • Collaborate with all F&A teams to improve processes and enhance service.
  • Assist other staff in meeting deadlines.
  • Support, coordinate, and lead special projects or assignments as needed.
  • Participate in and serve as backup for other Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness activities, including committee representation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public health, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, professional certification, and relevant experience.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting emergency management, risk management, regulatory compliance, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Credentials such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), FEMA ICS/NIMS training, or completion of Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) courses.
• Experience collaborating with municipal, county, or state emergency management agencies, including participation in joint exercises or mutual‑aid agreements.
• Experience using emergency notification systems, continuity‑planning software, and data‑analysis tools to support preparedness and response efforts.
• Demonstrated experience conducting training programs, procedures, or other emergency response activities; ability to give presentations, conduct tabletop exercises, and lead drills.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with audiences of diverse cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and calendaring systems.

Working Conditions

This position is classified as Essential Staff; in the event of an emergency it may require long hours and weekend work.

Compensation

Pay Range: $69,720.00 – $91,464.00 annually

Shift: First Shift (United States of America)

Employment Type: Regular, Full‑Time (100% FTE)

Benefits

For detailed information about benefits for this position, visit UW Staff Benefits.