General Duties & Responsibilities: Under limited supervision from the Training and Exercise Manager, the Training & Exercise Specialist will directly assist in developing, delivering, and coordinating the on-going cross-disciplinary, comprehensive training program in All-Hazard preparedness, and response with a focus on the emergency management and homeland security responsibilities and functions of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS). In addition, this position will assist local and State partner agencies with required exercises when assistance does not interfere with GEMA/HS requirements. This position will work primarily in the GEMA/HS training office at the GEMA/HS Training Facility located in Forsyth, Georgia but will travel statewide as needed.

Serves as instructor for courses as assigned. Assist in assessing training, development, and exercise needs. Conducts necessary research to develop and produce appropriate training programs. Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of training programs. Develops training outlines, materials, presentations and appropriate curricula. Prepare reports that address the effectiveness of each program offered, including recommendations for future and needed changes. Assist developing, for review and adoption, clear and concise policies related to assigned programs.

The GEMA/HS Training & Exercise Specialist assists with local exercise tracking requirement documentation. This requires reviewing all reported exercises, assuring they meet all EMPG requirements and documenting local exercise statuses for EMPG reporting.

The GEMA/HS Training & Exercise Specialist is responsible for assisting in maintaining and inventorying all GEMA/HS Exercise equipment.

Minimum Training & Experience: Four years of experience in planning, developing and delivering diversified exercises applicable to the area of assignment.  Note: Eligible to obtain state instructor certification under applicable profession.  (Qualified for POST Instructor Certification, POST Evaluator Certification, and FEMA Exercise Practitioner Certification.)  

POSITION SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's Degree in any field from an accredited college or university **OR** four plus years of experience planning, delivering, developing and/or evaluating emergency management exercise programs and activities
AND
Working level skill in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and desktop publishing computer application software programs;
AND
Ability to travel overnight and statewide as required by the position.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's Degree in Emergency Management, Public or Business Administration, Planning or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience sufficient to demonstrate a thorough understanding of emergency management agency exercise functions, preferably at a state or federal level, and a minimum of one of the following: operational activities of emergency operations center, emergency management, or public safety agencies in general.

Good knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS), with a working knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as developed by the Federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

A working knowledge of the Federal National Response Plan, Stafford Act, and Georgia Emergency Operations Plans and Emergency Support Functions.

NOTE:

The above job description represents the general nature, primary duties and responsibilities, and qualifications for the work performed by employees within this job, but is not a comprehensive and exhaustive list. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, and specific duties, responsibilities, and activities within the core nature of the job may change at any time with or without notice. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, as specified by the employing entity, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND One year of related experience OR completion of an apprenticeship/internship that sufficiently supplied experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position OR any other combination of education and professional experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the job.