Communications Program Specialist-Program Planner 3 Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/newprint/5067399) Apply  Communications Program Specialist-Program Planner 3 Salary $60,548.80 - $92,185.60 Annually Location Johnston - 50131 - Polk County, IA Job Type Full-time Job Number 26-00574 Agency 583 Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Opening Date 09/04/2025 Closing Date 9/18/2025 11:59 PM Central LinkedIn Tag #LI-POST Point of Contact Jon Paoli jonathan.paoli@iowa.gov + Description + Benefits + Questions Job Description Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list. Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is seeking an individual that is resourceful, detail oriented, organized, and contributes positively to the team. The successful candidate will serve the citizens of Iowa by working in statewide 911 Program, Alert Iowa Program, and on the Communications and Technology team. The candidate will work with a variety of public and private partners. Must be able to work a minimum of 40 hours a week. Overtime may be required during times of disaster response and recovery operations. Who We Are The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s (HSEM) Mission Statement isEnhancing the quality of life for Iowans by preparing our State and building resilient communities. The person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the HSEM’s four core values: MISSION ORIENTED - We are resolute in our service to Iowans INTEGRITY - We conduct ourselves with honesty and are transparent in our actions DISTINGUISHED - We are leaders in our field ONE TEAM - We collaborate, connect, and share This is amerit coveredposition with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Candidates must follow the instructions in the “To Apply” section. What We Are Seeking The successful candidate for this complex position will be organized, motivated, and innovative in problem solving. The position reports to the Communications and Technology Bureau Chief, but also works closely with a variety of team members in the department to ensure program objectives are being met. The position’s primary work location is in Johnston, IA. Desired skills and abilities include: + Possess a high degree of organizational skills + Process driven and willing to learn + Communication skills to include writing, speaking, listening and negotiating + Effective time management skills + Professional with a strong work ethic + Reliable and self-discipline + Resilient and agile What you will do You will be an integral member of the HSEM team working primarily in the statewide 911 and Alert Iowa Programs. This position will support the department’s mission by: + Provide program support to the statewide 911 Program. + Provide program support to the Alert Iowa Program (statewide emergency notification system). + Provide assistance and guidance to our 911 and Alert Iowa partners. + Maintain and create necessary planning and guidance documents. + Provide training to our partners. + Test and support various communications technologies. + Be available to staff a position during activation of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), during or outside of normal working hours. Activation may be for a real event or exercise participation. + This position will also perform other duties as assigned. What We Offer You + 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 + Employee Discount Programs from variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial) For additional information on benefits, please visit the Iowa Department of Administrative Services website athttps://das.iowa.gov/human-resources/employee-and-retiree-benefits Travel: Some travel required. Working Hours 7:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. or 7:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. or 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. This position will require a presence in the office on a regular basis. There will be a potential option for some remote work once on-boarding and training have been completed, but this is not a full time remote work position. HSEM is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, consistent with applicable state and federal policies and regulations. Selectives 204 Emergency Planning (State and Local): 6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the entire emergency planning process from meeting and working with partners to developing and writing the plan to working back through an approval process with the partners. Knowledge of emergency management and the systems and processes employed in Response, Recovery, Mitigation and Preparedness are essential. AND 206 Homeland Security or Emergency Management Operations: 6 months experience in disaster operations which required knowledge of Homeland Security or Emergency Management activities related to terrorism or natural disaster response, recovery, protection (physical security), detection (intelligence), prevention (protective action recommendations), and deterrence (critical asset assessments). Experience would have also provided the ability to operationalize plans, guidebooks, and procedures in response to Homeland Security threats and natural disasters. OR 12 semester hours in the areas below or in a combination of the areas below: Law enforcement Health Emergency medical Fire Hazardous materials Military Emergency management Other related disciplines which focus on how to effectively manage resources (personnel and equipment), recommend an emergency response course of action, and protective action recommendations looking for disaster operations field experience or knowledge dealing with multi-agency coordination of the Incident Command Structure. AND 208 Financial: 6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or in a combination of the following areas: accounting, auditing, budgeting, economics, or finance. Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification: 1) Seven years of full-time work experience in the administration or operation/execution (i.e., providing consultation and/or technical assistance to stakeholders, research and analysis, or enforcement of program guidelines/policies/procedures) of a program (i.e., the provision of a service or an administrative oversight/enforcement responsibility). 2) All of the following (a, b, and c): a. One year of full-time work experience in the administration or operation/execution (i.e., providing consultation and/or technical assistance to stakeholders, research and analysis, or enforcement of program guidelines/policies/procedures) of a program (i.e., the provision of a service or an administrative oversight/enforcement responsibility); and b. A total of four years of education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; and c. A total of two years of graduate-level education and full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. 3) Graduation from an accredited school of law. 4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes nine months of full-time work as a Program Planner 2 or twenty-seven months of full-time work as a Program Planner 1. For additional information, please click on thislink to view the job description (https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/class\_and\_pay/JobClassDescriptions/ProgramPlanner3-04023-94023.pdf) . Additional Qualification Requirements Some positions in this class may require an applicant to have the ability to pass a background investigation. Why Choose the State of Iowa? At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset – our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice. Our Robust Benefits Package Includes: Competitive Compensation: Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise. Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendlyTotal Compensation Calculator (https://das.iowa.gov/media/3773/download?inline) .Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits. Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost. Retirement Planning: We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind.Click here to learn more about IPERS (https://ipers.org/members) . Paid Time Off: Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters. Professional Development: Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program. Diversity and Inclusion: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation. Join Us - Elevate Your Career: Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa?Click here (https://iowa.attract.neogov.com/recruitment/p/benefits) to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority! 01 Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely.Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question.Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa. + Yes - I understand and agree. + No 02 PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq? + No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq + Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq 03 How many years do you have of full-time work experience performing the administration or operation/execution (i.e., providing consultation and/or technical assistance to stakeholders, research and analysis, or enforcement of program guidelines/policies/procedures) of a program (i.e., the provision of a service or an administrative oversight/enforcement responsibility)? + No experience + Less than seven years' in the specified areas + Seven years' or more in the specified areas 04 Have you graduated from an accredited school of law? + Yes + No 05 Do you have ALL of the following:: A) One year of full-time work experience in the administration or operation/execution (i.e., providing consultation and/or technical assistance to stakeholders, research and analysis, or enforcement of program guidelines/policies/procedures) of a program (i.e., the provision of a service or an administrative oversight/enforcement responsibility); AND B) A total of four years of post high school/college education and full-time experience (experience as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience; AND C) A total of two years of GRADUATE-level education and full-time experience (experience as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience? ***The experience used to count for A, B and C must be separate and unique experience. The same experience CANNOT be counted for A, B and C. + Yes + No 06 Are you a current State of Iowa employee (executive branch)? IF YES - How many months of experience do you have in the classification of Program Planner 1 for the State of Iowa? + I am not a State of Iowa employee + I do not have any experience in the classification of Program Planner 1 for the State of Iowa + Less than 24 months of experience in the classification of Program Planner 1 for the State of Iowa + 24 to less than 27 months of experience in the classification of Program Planner 1 for the State of Iowa + 27 months or more of experience in the classification of Program Planner 1 for the State of Iowa 07 Are you a current State of Iowa employee (executive branch)? IF YES - How many months of experience do you have in the classification of Program Planner 2 for the State of Iowa? + I am not a State of Iowa employee + I do not have any experience in the classification of Program Planner 2 for the State of Iowa + Less than six months of experience in the classification of Program Planner 2 for the State of Iowa + Six months to less than nine months of experience in the classification of Program Planner 2 for the State of Iowa + Nine months or more of experience in the classification of Program Planner 2 for the State of Iowa 08 Does your application demonstrate that you have 6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the entire emergency planning process from meeting and working with partners to developing and writing the plan to working back through an approval process with the partners? Knowledge of emergency management and the systems and processes employed in Response, Recovery, Mitigation and Preparedness are essential. + Yes + No 09 If you answered "Yes" to the question above - please list exactly HOW you meet it: list exact classes and credit hours, employer, dates and hours per week and exact duties. Please do not paste or state - See application or resume. If you answered no to the question above please type in "No" in the box below. 10 Does your application demonstrate that you have 6 months experience in disaster operations which required knowledge of Homeland Security or Emergency Management activities related to terrorism or natural disaster response, recovery, protection (physical security), detection (intelligence), prevention (protective action recommendations), and deterrence (critical asset assessments)? Experience would have also provided the ability to operationalize plans, guidebooks, and procedures in response to Homeland Security threats and natural disasters. OR12 semester hours in the areas below or in a combination of the areas below: + Law enforcement; + Health; + Emergency medical; + Fire; + Hazardous materials; + Military; + Emergency management; + Other related disciplines which focus on how to effectively manage resources (personnel and equipment), recommend an emergency response course of action, and protective action recommendations? Looking for disaster operations field experience or knowledge dealing with multi-agency coordination of the Incident Command Structure. + Yes + No 11 If you answered "Yes" to the question above - please list exactly HOW you meet it: list exact classes and credit hours, employer, dates and hours per week and exact duties. Please do not paste or state - See application or resume. If you answered no to the question above please type in "No" in the box below. 12 Do you have six months experience or 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in one or in a combination of the following areas: accounting, auditing, budgeting, economics, or finance? + Yes + No 13 If you answered "Yes" to the question above - please list exactly HOW you meet it: list exact classes and credit hours, employer, dates and hours per week and exact duties. Please do not paste or state - See application or resume. If you answered no to the question above please type in "No" in the box below.] Required Question Employer State of Iowa Agency 583 Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Address 7900 Hickman Rd, Ste 500 Windsor Heights, Iowa, 50324 Website http://www.homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/ Apply Please verify your email addressVerify Email