Operations Section Chief

Overview

AC Disaster Consulting is a national emergency management consulting firm supporting public- and private-sector clients with planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation services before, during, and after disasters or catastrophic events. The organization’s work is guided by its corporate values and a mission to deliver compassionate, timely, and effective support aligned to changing hazards and threats. This assignment is based onsite at the designated Emergency Operations Center for the full mission period.

Role Summary

The Operations Section Chief works with the SERT Chief and Planning Chief to set operational priorities for the State Emergency Response Team using the action planning process. The role focuses on coordinating state and local response partners so incident objectives are carried out effectively.

This is a temporary, onsite assignment with expected 12-hour workdays. The stated compensation range is $40 to $55 per hour.

Core Duties

You will help direct priority missions and resource placement with Operations Section Branch Directors, support deployment of requested teams with the AHIMT Unit Leader, and relay resource gaps beyond state inventories to the Logistics Section Chief. The position also requires coordination with SERT field staff to keep objectives aligned with local needs, maintaining communication with liaisons in impacted areas, and participating in Incident Action Plan meetings from an operational standpoint.

Additional responsibilities include leading coordination meetings with Branch Directors and Emergency Support Functions, resolving response issues with Plans, Logistics, and Finance & Administration leadership, overseeing tactical incident activity and IAP implementation, translating leadership decisions into action for responders, tracking field operations status, and preparing end-of-operation status updates, recommendations, and projections. The role also contributes to transition planning as incident complexity grows and helps develop contingency plans for the Operations Section. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Working Conditions and Expectations

The schedule can vary, though long shifts of 12 hours are expected. Evening and weekend work may be necessary, and reliability and punctuality are considered essential. Travel to the worksite is required, and the assignment may involve extended deployments to client locations.

The role requires onsite mobility, the ability to sit or stand for long periods, and the capacity to work at a computer for extended periods when needed. Physical demands include repetitively lifting up to 25 lbs. throughout the day. Work may take place in offices, at home, or in field settings such as Emergency Operations Centers, hospitals, debris sites, or local government buildings, including outdoor work in severe weather conditions.

Safety and Compliance

Employees are expected to support a safe workplace by following health and safety policies, completing required training, identifying hazards, reporting concerns, using sound judgment, and protecting their own safety as well as that of coworkers, clients, and the communities served.

Benefits and Employment Notes

Temporary positions are not eligible for benefits unless required by law.

Equal Opportunity and Application Notes

AC Disaster Consulting is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. This applies to all employment terms and conditions, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves, compensation, and training. Harassment or discrimination based on protected characteristics is not tolerated.

Applicants are asked to remove or redact age, date of birth, and education attendance or graduation dates from resumes or other application materials before submitting them. Individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans may request reasonable accommodation if they need help accessing job opportunities or applying. The company uses E-Verify for candidates who are offered and accept employment.

Required Background

Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management or a related field and have hands-on experience working within the Incident Command Framework at the state or federal level. The role also requires experience with financial management applications, prior work in an Emergency Operations Center or disaster response setting, and at least two activations or exercises in a supervisory or key support role. Strong decision-making skills in fast-moving, high-pressure situations are essential, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, especially Excel.

Before requesting the task book, the following training must already be completed: IS-100, IS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700, IS-800, E/G/L-0191, E/L-0958, and O-0305.

Preferred Background

Preference will be given to applicants with five or more years of professional emergency management experience, a master’s degree in Emergency Management or a related discipline, Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credentials, WebEOC proficiency, and ICS position-specific certification.

Additional Qualifications

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, and be able to pass both company and client background and reference checks after an offer is made.

Required Skills

The role calls for strong communication, confidentiality, multitasking, strategic thinking, problem-solving, organization, time management, adaptability, and a genuine service mindset. Familiarity with state and local government operations is also important.

Supervisory Scope

The position may include lead responsibility for projects or small teams, with support from senior leadership when needed.