Preparedness Planning Specialist

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 09-22-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Office of Emergency Management is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring programs and policies that support emergency preparedness, emergency response, business recovery, and mitigation/prevention programs for the University. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) encompasses Emergency Management and Mission Continuity.

More information can be found at: https://oem.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Strategic Resilience and Preparedness Manager in the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Preparedness Planning Specialist manages the business continuity and emergency action planning across UC Santa Cruz. The incumbent also provides backup support to the Strategic Resilience and Preparedness Manager, staffs the emergency operations center during campus emergencies, and provides general coordination and response support. The Preparedness Planning Specialist provides public safety education and training in the content areas of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery and directly supervises OEM student employees.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $92,550/annually.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: EHS SPEC 3 (007146)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% - Mission Continuity

• Serves as the Emergency Management Representative and advises departmental leadership and stakeholders on all matters relating to business continuity.
• Implements campus-wide rollout of continuity planning tools and guides departments in support of continuity plans.
• Assists departments in analyzing processes and identifying critical functions and monitors the progress of department continuity plan development to achieve preparedness goals.
• Represents the campus and participates in UC System-wide activity related to business continuity. Attends UC System-wide meetings and participates in initiatives specific to business continuity programs.

35% - Emergency Action Planning, Operations, and Recovery

• Serves as the Emergency Management Representative and advises departmental leadership and stakeholders on all matters relating to emergency action planning.
• Ensures department compliance with Cal OSHA 3220 requirements.
• Assists departments in drafting, training, distributing, testing, and updating emergency action plans and monitors the progress of emergency action plan development.
• Assists with activation and setup of the EOC during campus incidents. Serve as an alternate on-call representative for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) outlined in the campus Emergency Response Framework (ERF). In this capacity, assists the Incident Coordinator in coordinating emergency activities, including the development, implementation, and review of incident action plans, after-action reports, debriefing, and assessments.
• Employee may need to drive a University vehicle in support of campus emergency operations or assessments.
• Coordinates the recovery function during campus incidents. Assists affected campus units and divisions in activating their business continuity plans and identifying resource needs utilizing UCReady plans or other methods.
• Designs and conducts annual departmental tabletop exercises (review of departmental readiness) based on best practices in business continuity and emergency action planning.

5% - Public Education and Outreach

• Assists with the development and implementation of public education and resource events.
• Engages partnerships with relevant campus units to include training for campus units (e.g. campus tour guides and orientation leaders).
• Coordinates and markets the events to the broad campus community.
• Coordinates annual Safety Day events, "Great Shake Out" events, and other educational outreach initiatives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience and / or training.
• Experience developing and delivering training programs, including public speaking/presentation skills.
• Demonstrated project planning and project management skills with experience in program development.
• Familiarity with relational databases with the ability to perform complex analyses of data from diverse operations.
• General and crisis response leadership skills.
• Thorough interpersonal skills including political acumen skills to communicate effectively in a diverse environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing with diverse groups and individuals at all organizational levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally with diverse groups and individuals at all organizational levels.
• Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision.
• Ability to perform as a team member in both routine and emergency assignments.
• Ability to work in a rapidly changing and flexible environment.
• Ability to effectively represent the university with outside agencies and groups.
• Ability to prepare and present data and reports to support administrative decision-making.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in the field of business continuity planning or emergency management.
• Experience working in a higher education institution.
• Experience conducting broad outreach and working with diverse communities.
• Knowledge of the principles of emergency management and implementation
• Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) from DRI International

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to walk to and work in remote areas with rugged terrain, heavy brush, biting and stinging insects, bears and mountain lions.
• Ability to do occasional work in confined spaces such as attics and trenches while bending, stooping and/or kneeling with the possibility of being exposed to live electrical circuits and machinery.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to work on-call.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC * 1092(f)).
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear a respirator in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Title 8, 5144.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.