Emergency Management Intern

Montana Disaster and Emergency Services is seeking a short-term Emergency Management Assistant to support statewide emergency management planning and preparedness activities during Summer 2026. This position offers hands-on experience in resource management, hazard research, community vulnerability assessment, and emergency action plan development within a professional emergency management environment.

The Emergency Management Assistant will work closely with the Preparedness Bureau Chief and collaborate with the Recovery Bureau, Mitigation Program, and Plans Assessment Section to advance critical preparedness initiatives across Montana.

Key Responsibilities

The Emergency Management Assistant will support the following focus areas:

Resource Management Support

·         Log, track, and reconcile resource requests in designated systems

·         Assist with data entry, inventory checks, and status updates

·         Identify gaps or inconsistencies in existing resource records for follow-up

·         Support the DES Resource Roundup event

Statewide Hazard History Research

·         Compile historical data on statewide hazards including wildfire, flood, and winter storms

·         Create standardized templates for hazard history summaries (event, location, impacts, sources)

·         Draft hazard history summaries for priority hazards

·         Review and refine research approach with supervisor

Community Hazard Profile Development

·         Identify priority communities and jurisdictions with supervisor guidance

·         Collect demographic, infrastructure, and vulnerability data from approved sources

·         Populate community profile templates with key facilities, critical infrastructure, and at-risk populations

·         Prepare concise analysis on how profiles can inform planning and response

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Drafting

·         Review existing EAPs and related plans used by DES

·         Develop or refine EAP templates including purpose, scope, roles, triggers, actions, and communications

·         Draft EAP sections for DES facilities and assigned hazards

·         Incorporate hazard history and resource management considerations into planning documents

·         Circulate drafts to subject matter experts and revise based on feedback

General Emergency Management Support

·         Support SECC operations during drills, exercises, or planning meetings as available

·         Assist with emergent tasks across emergency management functions (planning, logistics, operations, documentation)

·         Maintain organized files and clear documentation of data sources and decisions

·         Attend scheduled meetings, briefings, and trainings as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

·         Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree program related to emergency management, public administration, general studies, event management, project management, geography, political science, or a related field

·         Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to synthesize information clearly

·         Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time, and stay organized with multiple tasks

·         Basic proficiency with office software (word processing, spreadsheets) and comfort working with data

·         Interest in emergency management, disaster planning, or public service

Preferred Qualifications

·         Familiarity with Montana geography, communities, or emergency management structures

·         Coursework or experience in research methods, data analysis, or technical writing

·         Knowledge of incident command systems (ICS) or emergency operations

·         Previous internship or volunteer experience in public service or emergency response

Montana Disaster and Emergency Services is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.