State EOC Planning Section Chief
Date Posted: Feb 18, 2026
Requisition ID: 473049
Location:
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS):
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) leads Indiana's emergency planning and operations, first responder training, and fire and building safety. The Indiana State Fire Marshal leads the Division of Fire and Building Safety (within IDHS), which oversees the enforcement of building codes and includes a fire investigations unit. The agency certifies and trains thousands of first responders and also hosts state-level exercises each year. IDHS also supports the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which leads response and coordination efforts for large-magnitude incidents.
Role Overview:
The State Planning Section Chief (PSC) serves as a leader within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), responsible for overseeing all planning activities that support emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation operations. This role ensures that incident action planning, situational analysis, and long-term strategic planning are conducted effectively to support statewide emergency management operations and maintains a common operating picture. The PSC leads the planning efforts for State EOC activities and will assist as the planning liaison for the Response Division to provide support for planning needs and engagements with other sections outside of Response and external partners.
During activations of the SEOC, the Planning Section Chief may work longer hours or additional days above and beyond the normal schedule. The PSC is the lead for development, coordination, and dissemination of Incident Action Plans (IAPs), Executive Summaries, Situation Reports, Weather/Hydrology Reports and other reports as requested. It is the duty of the PSC to collect, analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources to provide accurate situation reports to SEOC leadership, executive leadership, the Governor's Office and stakeholders. The position is responsible for the recruitment, selection and training of all personnel assigned to work in the Planning Section of the State EOC prior to and during activations. During activations, the PSC will coordinate staffing and supervise all SEOC Planning positions - Planning Section Chief, Situation Unit Leader, Documentation Unit Leader, Advanced Planner and GIS/Mapping roles. The PSC position is key to the success of SEOC activations and day-to-day activities by maintaining situational awareness, creating and disseminating incident documentation, and forecasting future response objectives, identified gaps or operational needs. In conjunction with the Operations Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief and Finance Section Chief, the PSC will collaborate and assist Local County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Directors and complete county visits annually. The PSC will conduct After-Action Reports following activations and assist the IDHS Exercise Division with planning and facilitating exercises, as needed.
The PSC is responsible for serving as a liaison between the SEOC and IDHS Planning Section planners by assisting with developing and maintaining statewide emergency response and recovery strategies, ensuring alignment with best state practices and federal guidance. The PSC will assist in all Emergency Support Function (ESF) support annex updates on behalf of Response. This position will assist the Staff Meteorologist position with weather-related planning efforts in relation to the Flood Response Annex and Severe Weather Annex to the State Emergency Operations Plan and supports the development and maintenance of the Department of Natural Resource's Drought Plan. This position is a member of the state's Damage Assessment Team.
This position is responsible for maintaining the earthquake program inventory of outreach materials, assisting with outreach events and scheduling the deployment of IDHS Quake Cottage earthquake simulator. The IDHS Planning Section Chief will work with the IDHS Logistics Section Chief and IDHS Logistics Facilities Manager to store the earthquake simulator trailer ("Quake Cottage") and educational outreach materials. The PSC will coordinate with the State Hazards Mitigation Officer and Recovery Director to ensure that earthquake mitigation projects are aligned with county mitigation plans, State Hazards Mitigation Plan (SHMP), and any gaps identified.
POSITION ASSIGNMENT: The Planning Section Chief operates within the Emergency Management and Preparedness Division but works with all divisions within IDHS. The Planning Section Chief will report to the Response Director.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
Coordinate work of lower-level workers and assists in complex or unusual situations.
Develop comprehensive emergency tactical and operational plans, statewide analyses, and evaluations.
Coordinate with local, state, and federal partners to ensure consistency, feasibility, flexibility, and interoperability of all operational or tactical plans.
Coordinate with the timetable and execution of tabletop, functional and full-scale exercises for the emergency plans.
Provide guidance to political sub-divisions of the state to enable each jurisdiction to develop area plans.
Head planning teams to meet these requirements.
Coordinate, promote and manage district level training and exercise training programs.
Assist local, state, and federal partners in developing and conducting training exercises at the state and regional level.
Prepare short- and long-range training plans for state and local responders.
Required travel to scheduled exercise sites to act as facilitator, controller, or evaluator.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirement to be considered for employment:
Basic knowledge of planning techniques and procedures.
Basic knowledge of urban planning, transportation planning and state and local economic and industrial development.
Basic knowledge of emergency disaster, emergency cause and effect and procedures and methodology to minimize adverse effects.
Ability to use the techniques of fact-finding and analysis to interpret statistical information and trends concerning the physical, social, and economic aspects of population centers.
Ability to explain the programs and secure cooperation between local, state, and federal government and private executives.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and through structured media.
Ability to develop feasible techniques and methods to achieve plan solutions.
Ability to comprehend and interpret federal and state laws, guidelines, and regulations relative to disaster planning and operations.
Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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