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Emergency Management Specialist - Office of Emergency Management - UTK

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Knoxville, TN, USA
Posted on Mar 30, 2026

This position reports to the Director of Emergency Management and is responsible for coordinating and conducting emergency preparedness planning initiatives in support of campus emergency planning to include departmental, venue, and special event planning efforts. Position will facilitate building level emergency action plans. This position will identify training needs, develop and deliver emergency preparedness and management training and provide planning and execution support to campus exercises. This position will manage outreach programs and coordinate closely with other Public Safety departments to connect emergency planning efforts with safety and security initiatives. This position will represent the office of emergency management and perform the duties of emergency operations center manager in the absence of the director.


The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

This position reports to the Director of Emergency Management and is responsible for coordinating and conducting emergency preparedness planning initiatives in support of campus emergency planning to include departmental, venue, and special event planning efforts. Position will facilitate building level emergency action plans. This position will identify training needs, develop and deliver emergency preparedness and management training and provide planning and execution support to campus exercises. This position will manage outreach programs and coordinate closely with other Public Safety departments to connect emergency planning efforts with safety and security initiatives. This position will represent the office of emergency management and perform the duties of emergency operations center manager in the absence of the director.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public health, or public administration. Substitute a related degree with 2 years emergency management type experience OR a bachelor’s degree in any field and 4 years’ experience working in emergency management OR 6 years’ experience working in emergency management.

  • Must have extensive knowledge of the National Incident Management System and Incident Command System and the ability to employ those systems in the higher education industry.

  • Skilled at presenting and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders.

  • Completion of FEMA Independent Study Courses 100, 200, 230, 700 & 800

  • Knowledge of or ability to learn the operation and employment of emergency management related software to include mass notification, planning, communications, and emergency operations software and equipment.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  • Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working at an emergency management agency or similar disaster response, emergency planning and preparedness activities as a primary job responsibility in a related industry. Experience operating in an Emergency Operations Center and/or an All Hazards Incident Management Team activated for an emergency. Experience with mass notification software. Experience delivering training and conducting exercises.

  • Ability to lead and influence internal and external people/teams both in crisis and during preparation.

  • Completion of FEMA courses IS-120, ICS 300

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position has been filled. For full consideration, interested individuals should provide a cover letter addressing professional experience relevant to the required minimum qualifications, a resume, and complete contact information for three professional references.

The salary for this position will be commensurate with experience. The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including reduced tuition for employee’s dependents that attend college in the University of Tennessee system.


Coordinates the development and maintenance of building level plans. Provides guidance and expertise specific to emergency planning efforts at the division, college, and department level. Directs execution of emergency preparedness initiatives for campus venues and large events. Provides input and coordination for emergency plans to ensure they are maintained in accordance with the campus emergency management program. Provides guidance and expertise to college/division and department building emergency preparedness efforts to include risk analysis for building level hazards.

Coordinates closely with UT Police Department to support building-level emergency preparedness planning and training initiatives across campus. Works collaboratively with UT Police Department and Environmental Health & Safety to develop and deliver integrated training that complements emergency preparedness efforts and reinforces a coordinated approach to campus safety. Provides active connection to EMS Vols assisting with outreach and awareness, coordinating with other departments and agencies, and supporting their logistical needs.

Performs the duties of outreach and training manager. Provides training and exercise development, planning, and execution support for key campus emergency response personnel. Coordinates with external agencies including KEMA and TEMA. Leads outreach activities, awareness initiatives and delivers emergency preparedness training to students, faculty, and staff to strengthen campus-wide readiness. Actively participates in regional committees and collaborative groups that support the broader Knoxville community and enhance campus safety. Oversees program design, implementation, and cross-departmental coordination, including the development and implementation of new initiatives to advance emergency preparedness across the university community.

Serves as the department administrative support responsible for performing general administrative tasks by following policies and procedures like scheduling, event support, supplies and overall logistics. Coordinates updates to the departmental website and intranet. Maintains, improves and promotes the campus safety app. Works with campus partners to add value to their goals through app features and promote adoption by the campus community.

Serves as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) manager during times of crisis and will oversee the emergency response teams coordination and support of interdisciplinary, multi-jurisdictional, inter-agency coordination to meet response and recovery goals. Makes time sensitive decisions during times of crisis and applies the Incident Command System (ICS) for delegation of decision making and information flow.