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Integrated Preparedness Specialist

State Of Colorado


Job Location:

Denver, CO - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 72264 - 93948
Posted: 4 September 2026 (14 days ago)
Application Deadline: 2 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Department Information



This position is only open toonly to Colorado state residents.

An eligible list established with this recruitment may be used to fill other similar positions within the Colorado Department of Public Safety in the next 12 months.

Our Mission -Engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our Vision -Creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our Core Values -Unity Honor Service


The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do including hiring employment and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration innovation and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.


Careers with a purpose:

If you are passionate about public safety and public service and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires disaster recovery combating crime promoting school safety and victim services.


Classification and Salary:
Emergency Preparedness and Communications Specialist IV
Anticipated Hiring Range: $6022 - $7829/month; $72264 - $93948/year
Full Salary Range: $6022 - $9636/month; $72264 - $115632/year


Benefits:

We provide a wide range of benefits to our employees.

  • Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.

  • Eligible employees receive Basic Life and AD&D insurance equal to their annual earnings subject to a minimum benefit of $50000 and a maximum of $250000. Basic Life and AD&D are provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to employees.

  • The State of Colorados Wellness Program State of Health is a no-cost year-long program that supports an employees health and wellness goals. This program offers personalized health coaching skill groups and more. Participants can earn a $20 per month health insurance premium discount.

  • Through BenefitHub State of Colorado employees have access to discounts promotions and special programs from hundreds of retailers restaurants travel and entertainment venues throughout Colorado and across the country.

  • State contribution into a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.

  • Eligible employees have access to medical leave under theFamily Medical Leave Act (FMLA)and theState of Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI).

  • Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements based on the nature of the role.

  • We offer excellent retirement benefits including mandatory PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401K and 457 plans. For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security) visitColorado PERAfor details.

  • We provide generous time off including11 paid holidays annually and accrued annual and sick leaveand four annual wellness days.

  • The Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP) is available in every region of the state. It is our effort to support the well-being of employees and the workplace. EAPs provide short-term counseling referrals and resources as well as training and organizational development services.

  • Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.

  • We offerCredit Union of Coloradomembership eligibility.

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits please visitState of Colorado benefits.

Description of Job

About the Work Unit
This position is located within the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM). The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is a consolidated Emergency Management and Homeland Security team. The Divisions mission is to lead and support Colorados efforts to prevent protect mitigate respond to and recover from all-hazard events

The Office of Emergency Management conducts the four phases of emergency management (Preparedness Response Mitigation and Recovery) in coordination with other State Agencies and in support of local jurisdictions. It integrates emergency management efforts across all levels of government including state local tribal and federal.

Integrated Preparedness Section:
The Integrated Preparedness Section is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the Integrated Preparedness Planning (IPP) Cycle at both the division multi-jurisdictional and local levels. This cycle is based on the Planning Organizing Equipping Training Exercising (POETE) model. The cycle also includes evaluation of plans processes and procedures and continuous improvement to ensure that all jurisdictions have the capabilities to handle threats and hazards. To be successful the Section must work collaboratively and cooperatively with its partner sections in the Office of Emergency Management the Office of Public Safety Communications and the Office of Prevention and Security CIAC. Integration efforts also include information from the efforts of the integrated preparedness planning at local and multi-jurisdictional levels. The Integrated Preparedness Section works closely with county emergency managers on IPPs that will help to inform the State Office of Emergency Management (OEM) IPP.

Work Environment

Work unit core hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with some flexibility.

A hybrid work model is utilized requiring in-office attendance a minimum of three (3) days per week.
Frequent travel is required in the continental United States and across the state to be able to perform the duties of this position.

About the Job

The Integrated Preparedness Specialist is responsible for strengthening emergency management capabilities through the development coordination delivery and evaluation of training and exercises. Working collaboratively with State Local Tribal and Territorial (SLTT) partners and DHSEM programs the position translates identified preparedness priorities risks and capability gaps into targeted training exercises and improvement activities.


The position uses priorities and gaps identified through preparedness assessments planning efforts exercises real-world incidents and after-action processes to inform a coordinated three-year training and exercise schedule. Through training exercise evaluation and improvement planning the position helps partners build and validate capabilities identify strengths and gaps develop corrective actions and achieve measurable preparedness improvements.

Key Responsibilities
  • Local Preparedness & Planning:

    • Collaborate with Local Emergency Managers to assess plans identify capability gaps and guide the development of Integrated Preparedness Plans (IPPs) and workshops.

    • Offer guidance during the local Colorado Emergency Preparedness Assessment (CEPA) and assist in integrating assessment results into Integrated Preparedness Plans (IPPs)

  • Exercise & Training Support:

    • Facilitate the POETE cycle by designing exercises conducting After Action Reviews (AARs) developing course curricula and serving as a controller or evaluator for state and local events.

  • Strategic Planning:

    • Act as a subject matter expert to integrate local needs into the OEMs multi-year Integrated Preparedness Plan and needs assessments.

  • Emergency Operations Support:

    • Provide critical support to the State and local Emergency Operations Centers (SEOC/EOC) during activations including training and exercise coordination.


Minimum Qualifications Substitutions Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Note to be considered for this position you must meet one of the following options for consideration.

Proven Experience Knowledge Skills

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in emergency management at the local tribal state federal private non-profit level.

OR Education and Experience Knowledge Skills

A Bachelors degree and four (4) years of professional experience in emergency management at the local tribal state federal private non-profit level.
or
A Masters Degree and two (2) years of professional experience inemergency management at the local tribal state federal private non-profit level.

Note: anunofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies

  • Experience in the development of Integrated Preparedness Plans
  • Experience with the use of grant funds to include the Emergency Management Preparedness Grant and
    the State Homeland Security Grant
  • Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP)
  • Experience leading mentoring and managing a geographically dispersed team.
  • Strong verbal written and presentations skills.
  • Experience integrating information from multiple sources and maintain situational awareness during complex incidents.
  • Certification as a Professional Emergency Manager (CEM) or Advance Professional Series.
  • Experience in the tracking of preparedness activities in Integrated Preparedness Improvement Plans

Conditions of Employment

  • Requires successful completion of a background investigation that includes a polygraph exam a fingerprint based criminal history search reference checkingdriving history.

  • Must be able to participate in State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during activations that may include during nights weekends and/or holidays.
  • Must be valid Colorado Drivers License.
  • Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.


Appeal Rights
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures 4 CCR 801 for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures are available at A standard appeal form is available at: If you appeal your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form signed by you or your representative and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director Attn: Appeals Processing 1525 Sherman Street 4th Floor Denver CO 80203. Fax: . Phone: . The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.
Supplemental Information

Disability Accommodation

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure equitable opportunity applying or interviewing for this position please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at:.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore in all aspects of the employment process we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex disability age sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy medical condition related to pregnancy creed ancestry national origin marital status genetic information or military status (with preference given to military veterans) or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.


Colorado Department of Public Safety is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment including completing the application process interviewing completing any pre-employment testing participating in the employee selection process and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.


Recruitment Timeline Information and Important Notices
  • Applicationsare considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore additional informationmay notbe solicited or accepted after your application has been received.

  • Closing Date:All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

  • Supplemental Question:Effective responses to Supplemental Questions will directly relate to your professional experience career accomplishments and views about organizational values and approaches and how they relate specifically to this position and requirements as you understand them. Answers generated by AI-tools will typically be unresponsive.

  • Transcripts:An unofficial copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application should education be used as qualification. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report may prevent your application from moving forward in the selection process.

  • Military Veterans:If you are a military veteran you must submit a copy of your DD-214 Member 4 Copy and VA disability letter if available/applicable at the time of application so we can determine if you are eligible for veterans preference points. Military personnel who are stationed outside of Colorado may be eligible for this position by submitting the completed DD-2058 State of Legal Residence form.

  • Application Tips: For an overview of State of Colorado application process and application tips please view thisvideo.

  • Resumes Cover Lettersor other documents submittedwillnotbe reviewed assessed or used in the initial stages of the comparative analysis (transcripts submitted to verify that the applicant meets either the education requirement or minimum qualification substitution are exempt from this).

  • Notifications:All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be sent via email to theemail address listed on your application. Include your current working email addresson your application and check the email provided on your application frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from and addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

  • e-Verify: CDPS uses e-Verify an Internet-based system to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more aboutE-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.

  • Comparative Analysis Stepsmayinclude:

    • Structured application review by a panel of SMEs

    • In-Person panel Interview 10/12/26 to 10/23/26 (Tentative schedule)


Required Experience:

IC