Job Description

Initial Posting Date:
09/18/2025
Application Deadline:
09/25/2025
Agency:
Oregon Department of Emergency Management
Salary Range:
$5,838 - $8,966
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Watch Specialist (Program Analyst 3)
:
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is excited to announce a new opportunity for a Watch Specialist (Program Analyst 3) to join our team! We welcome you to join us today!
The Department currently has an opening for one full-time Watch Specialist (Program Analyst 3) within the OERS Section of OEM in Salem, Oregon. This is a full-time, permanent positions. This position has the opportunity to work remotely and support a hybrid (work from home/in office) work schedule. Remote work is evaluated periodically to ensure business needs are being met and can be adjusted at any time. Please note, applications may be used to fill future vacancies.
The Watch Specialist will assist with the creation of and provide frontline leadership within the 24-hour Oregon Emergency Response System Watch Center.
The position also plays an active role in ensuring the safety of all people in Oregon by leading efforts develop a new Watch Center program within the Department. The Watch Center will actively monitor events that occur throughout the state in near real-time and analyze the effect of such incidents on the states' population, critical infrastructure, and first responders. The Senior Watch Specialist will develop program standards for the center that will be utilized by staff, local jurisdictions, other state agencies, and community members, and commercial entities required to interact with the center. The position will also fulfill duties inherent of all staff assigned to the unit which includes monitoring a great variety of sources of information, performing analysis on subjects of interest, and communicating proactively with other agencies.
This position is responsible for developing new standards, techniques and reports, and for developing procedures for use by other analysts in the center. This position also provides training for new watch specialists of all levels. Additionally, this position is responsible for performing quality assurance work for the center.
General duties:Coordinates with Homeland Security Council, OERS Council's Homeland Security Working Group, the Oregon Titan Fusion Center, law enforcement officials, critical infrastructure owner/operators, OEM staff and others to develop the 24-hour Oregon Emergency Response System Watch Center Program Evaluates and interprets ORS and OARs, suggests revisions, and collaborates with interagency partners and industry, the OERS Council, agency directors, various working groups, and agency leaders to create or alter standards related to the Center to ensure a coordinated and effective statewide emergency response system. Develops and supports interagency working groups to provide governance of, feedback for, and input into the center's operations and related standards. Develops program standards, plans, procedures, and processes for the OERS Watch Center that will be utilized by staff, local jurisdictions, other state agencies, and community members, and commercial entities required to interact with the center. Collects and evaluates information related to the operations of other centers to inform development of related standards and policies/procedures within the center. Reviews compliance with developed OERS procedures and OAR by OERS staff, other state agencies, and the public. Makes policy recommendations for updates to OARs and procedures as needed. Conducts quality assurance activities for the center by reviewing audio recordings, crisis management system logs, and other software to ensure compliance with established processes and procedure. Provides performance feedback recommendations to staff to improve quality of service. Actively consumes and monitors a variety of live news feeds, social media platforms, weather forecasts, and sophisticated monitoring tools to detect real-time incidents and potential threats and hazards to people, critical infrastructure, and the environment within the state of Oregon and to state employees. Assists in the development, evaluation of, and participation in planning, training, and exercises designed to test emergency response plans and procedures related to the center. Analyzes and measures metrics related to performance of the emergency response system/OERS Watch procedures. Produces reports and makes recommendations to management related to OERS and the Watch. Provides training to new employees within the center as required. Develops and implements New OERS Watch Specialist Training Program curriculum with new Specialists.

For a copy of the position description, please email samantha.r.hoyle@oem.oregon.gov.
The Benefits of joining Our Team
It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) to lead collaborative state-wide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters regardless of cause. To learn more about our team and the work we do, please visit Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) website.
We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to maintain a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or status as a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or stalking.
Employee benefits include:Medical, vision, and dental insurance. 11 paid holidays per year. 10 hours of vacation leave earned per month. 8 hours of sick leave earned per month. 24 hours of personal business leave per fiscal year. Pension and retirement programs. Click here to learn more about State of Oregon benefits.

What do you need to qualify?
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, or a degree related to the agency program that demonstrates the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and four years experience coordinating or administering a program

OR;

Any combination of experience or education equivalent to seven years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skill requirements listed for the classification.
What we are looking for (Desired Attributes):Experience with continuity of operations Project Management experience/training Completion of IS 100, 200, 700, and 800. Prior work in public safety, emergency management, intelligence/analysis, or critical communications. Demonstrated ability to manage shift operations, ensure coverage, and conduct after-action reviews. Experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, administrative rules, technical standards and/or training materials. Resume and Cover Letter

Note: You must clearly describe your experience in each area listed. Failure to provide this information may result in eliminating your application from further consideration.
Additional information:The salary listed is the non- Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) qualifying salary. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary will reflect the 6.95% increase. Finalists will be subject to a computerized criminal history check. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Justice Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. OEM does not offer visa sponsorship. Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes. Internal candidates currently employed by any State of Oregon agency must apply through their Workday employee account, ensuring their profile includes up-to-date job history and education, and that their application clearly demonstrates how their experience and/or education meets all minimum qualifications and desired attributes listed in the posting--all applicants who fail to follow these instructions will result in disqualification from this recruitment.

How to Apply:Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application for the position. Please ensure the work history and education section is complete. If you are a current state of Oregon employees, you must apply through your employee Workday account. Attach a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the qualifications and attributes for the position. If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact the recruiter, Samantha Hoyle, at samantha.r.hoyle@oem.oregon.gov or 971-388-4742.

Helpful Tips:Workday will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity. Be sure to check both your email and Workday account for updates regarding this recruitment. Click here for Resources and a Job Support Page.

Veteran's Preference:
The OEM provides veterans' preference points to all eligible veterans. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans' preference documents when initially applying. You will be sent a Workday "Task" to complete once you have submitted your application. The "Task" will prompt you to provide the appropriate documentation for your Veterans' Preference point selection. For more information, please go here: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx.
After you apply:
Log in to your Workday account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or actions, and make sure to complete these tasks or actions before the job announcement closes. These can be found under the "My Applications" section.