Looking to grow in your career? Check out this opportunity with the State of Connecticut!
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is hiring a Project Manager to work within the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security in Middletown, CT.
We’re looking for a self-sufficient senior-leader who can dedicate their time equally to day-to-day projects and managing staff leadership while balancing any disaster/emergency management issues that arises, including EOC activation. If you have 8 or more years of professional experience in emergency management, planning, and staff training, this could be a fantastic opportunity for you!

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• NEW: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America’s Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
  Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.

ABOUT US

DEMHS is charged with developing, administering, and coordinating a comprehensive and integrated statewide emergency management and homeland security program that encompasses all human-made and natural hazards, and includes prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery components to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens of Connecticut.
DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.

1. OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, EFFICACY AND EXCELLENCE

• Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data
• Challenging the “that’s the way it’s always been done” construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve
• Constantly seeking better results

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply
• management principles and practices;
• relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
• Knowledge of
• methods and techniques of project planning and management;
• emergency management methods and practices;
• Considerable
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in emergency management including planning, training and operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
• A Master’s degree in emergency preparedness/homeland security, planning, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience managing personnel in both administrative and operational settings;
• Experience representing or making presentations on behalf of an agency or department;
• Experience managing projects to develop emergency management plans or procedures;
• Experience administering or participating in state, local, or federal emergency management or homeland security grant programs;
• Experience developing hazard mitigation plans or participating as a stakeholder in a two or more jurisdictional hazard mitigation planning process;
• Experience managing disaster recovery planning and operations including implementing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) individual and public assistance disaster programs;
• Experience filling an emergency management position in an emergency operations center during real-world incidents or exercises.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class are required to work On-Call status.
• Incumbents in this class must obtain a Department of Homeland Security Secret Security clearance.
• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to work outside of normal hours due to Emergency management drills and actual emergencies.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and facts in the application a thorough background investigation of each candidate will be made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and/or the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection before a candidate is certified for appointment.

3. ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

• Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies
• Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement
• Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments
• Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways
  For an inside look at what it’s like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security this class is accountable for managing various programs and projects which support the purpose and mission of the department.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs staff and operations of various agency functional units as it relates to programs or projects including training and exercises, emergency management and homeland security regional offices and division operations;
• Coordinates, plans and manages activities related to programs and projects,
• Formulates program and project goals and objectives;
• Develops or assists in development of related policy;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Prepares or assists in preparing unit programs or project budget;
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of unit who might impact on program or project activities;
• Assists and coordinates activities associated with Emergency Management and Homeland Security Advisory Council,
• Assists and coordinates operations including emergencies and/or activations of the State Emergency Operations Center;
• Prepares reports and maintains required documents;
• Makes presentations before various groups regarding emergency management;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May evaluate staff;
• Performs related duties as required.