Recovery Planner; Program Planner

Job Description

When disaster strikes, Iowa turns to us—and we look to you. Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is seeking a motivated emergency management professional to serve as our Disaster Recovery Planner at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Johnston, IA.

In this dynamic role, you will balance high-level strategy with real-world application, leading statewide recovery efforts and coordinating interagency planning. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Iowa’s resilience while working in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

This is your chance to make a direct, lasting impact on Iowa’s future—driving recovery and strengthening resilience statewide.

We are seeking a motivated professional who is ready to grow, learn, and contribute to statewide disaster recovery planning. The ideal candidate brings strong communication skills, a willingness to collaborate, and an interest in developing expertise in disaster recovery, emergency planning, and multi‑agency coordination.

A background in emergency management, public administration, planning, or related fields is helpful, but we also welcome applicants who are eager to build these skills. Candidates should be comfortable working with partners across jurisdictions, managing multiple priorities, and representing the Department in both steady‑state and disaster environments.

• Experience in emergency planning with some knowledge of recovery planning, emergency management, or public administration
• Ability to learn and apply recovery frameworks such as the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) and Recovery Support Functions (RSFs)
• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship‑building skills
• Solid organizational and planning abilities, with willingness to grow into complex project management
• Comfort working with multiple agencies, community partners, and diverse stakeholder groups
• Ability to represent the Department professionally in meetings, briefings, and public‑facing interactions to include giving presentations and public speaking
• Commitment to developing expertise in continuity planning, emergency planning standards, and community recovery structures

• Leading and maintaining the State Recovery Plan and coordinating statewide recovery planning efforts
• Supporting Recovery Support Functions and provide assistance during recovery operations
• Serving as a liaison to county emergency management agencies and representing the Department at district meetings
• Assisting in the development and revision of essential agency plans, including Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG)
• Stepping into active operational roles during state emergencies, participate in Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) exercises, and tackle special projects with agency leadership
• Support local emergency management, HSEM, and other stakeholders by providing grant administration and technical assistance

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately (biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year).
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions:
  The State makes match contributions into the employee’s selection of investments in a 401(a)-employer match account. The match is $1 for every $1 contributed up to a $75 monthly maximum.
• Employee Discount Programs from variety of vendors (vision,…