Disaster Recovery Coordinator Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the era of unpredictable global events, the need for Disaster Recovery Coordinators has become increasingly critical.

As the world becomes more interconnected and complex, the demand for skilled professionals who can prepare, respond, and recover from catastrophic events grows.

But what exactly does a Disaster Recovery Coordinator do?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker wanting to understand the depth of this role,
• A hiring manager trying to define the perfect candidate,
• Or just fascinated by the field of disaster recovery,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we present a customizable Disaster Recovery Coordinator job description template, designed for easy posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right into it.

Disaster Recovery Coordinator Duties and Responsibilities

Disaster Recovery Coordinators are responsible for managing responses to emergency situations and ensuring that business operations can be resumed as quickly and effectively as possible after a disaster.

They play a crucial role in risk management and disaster response within an organization.

Their duties and responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing disaster recovery plans
• Testing and updating disaster recovery plans regularly
• Identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities that could disrupt operations
• Coordinating with different departments within an organization to ensure all are prepared for a disaster
• Training staff on disaster response procedures and policies
• Ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal emergency management standards
• Assessing the effectiveness of disaster recovery strategies after an event and adjusting plans accordingly
• Coordinating with external agencies such as fire, police, and emergency medical services during disaster recovery operations
• Documenting all disaster recovery activities and creating reports for management
• Managing recovery efforts in the event of a disaster, including resource allocation and crisis communication

 

Disaster Recovery Coordinator Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Disaster Recovery Coordinator to join our team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and implementing our disaster recovery and business continuity plans, ensuring that our operations can resume quickly and effectively in the event of a disaster.

The Disaster Recovery Coordinator will work closely with all departments to understand their critical functions, identify potential risks, and design mitigation strategies.

 

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain disaster recovery plans for physical locations with critical functions and information systems.
• Conduct business impact analysis to identify time-sensitive critical functions.
• Coordinate and facilitate disaster recovery plan exercises and modify plans as required.
• Ensure effective plan integration with external suppliers and stakeholders.
• Provide training to staff about their roles in the implementation of disaster recovery plans.
• Monitor compliance of self-assessments of business continuity processes.
• Coordinate with public agencies, including fire, police, and utilities.
• Maintain contact with emergency management agency officials.
• Provide status reports to management.

 

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Disaster Recovery Coordinator or similar role.
• Professional certification in Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning preferred.
• Familiarity with risk management and quality assurance control.
• Strong project management skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• BS/BA in Computer Science, IT or relevant field.

 

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Disaster Recovery Coordinator
• Work Environment: Office setting with potential for remote work. Travel may be required for risk assessments and plan testing.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Risk Management Director.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $75,000 minimum to $105,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Disaster Recovery Coordinator Do?

Disaster Recovery Coordinators typically work in industries that rely heavily on data and information systems, such as IT firms, financial institutions, or healthcare organizations.

Their primary role involves planning and implementing strategies to restore hardware, applications and data in the event of a disaster, such as a natural calamity or a cyberattack.

They work closely with other IT professionals to develop disaster recovery plans that include procedures and protocols to be followed during a disaster.

This often involves conducting risk assessments and identifying critical business functions.

Disaster Recovery Coordinators are also responsible for training staff on disaster recovery procedures, conducting regular drills and maintaining up-to-date recovery plans.

They play a crucial role in coordinating the recovery process during a disaster, ensuring the quickest possible restoration of data and systems, and minimizing downtime.

They also work post-disaster to analyze the causes and effects, update procedures where necessary, and prepare detailed reports for management.

 

Disaster Recovery Coordinator Qualifications and Skills

A competent Disaster Recovery Coordinator should possess a unique set of technical and soft skills to effectively coordinate and manage disaster recovery plans and procedures, which include:

• Strong strategic planning and organizational skills for designing, implementing, and updating effective disaster recovery protocols and measures.
• Excellent crisis management skills to respond promptly and effectively to disaster incidents, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
• Technical knowledge and understanding of IT systems, infrastructure and data management for drafting and implementing recovery plans.
• Exceptional communication skills to inform and educate employees about disaster recovery plans and to liaise effectively with stakeholders during an incident.
• Ability to work well under pressure and make critical decisions quickly during disaster situations.
• Problem-solving skills to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.
• Project management skills to oversee the execution of disaster recovery efforts, ensuring tasks are completed in a timely and effective manner.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate the success of disaster recovery efforts and to revise strategies as necessary.
• Awareness of the latest trends and developments in disaster recovery, staying updated on new tools and technologies that can enhance recovery efforts.
• A degree in information technology, business continuity, or a related field, along with relevant certifications in disaster recovery.

 

Disaster Recovery Coordinator Experience Requirements

Candidates for the role of Disaster Recovery Coordinator typically need a minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in IT operations, risk management, or business continuity.

This experience often comes from roles such as IT Analyst, Network Administrator, or Risk Management Associate.

Entry-level candidates may have 1 to 2 years of experience in IT support or systems administration roles, often through an internship or part-time job.

These individuals may also gain valuable on-the-job experience in roles such as IT Operations Analyst or Network Support Specialist.

Candidates with more than 5 years of experience often have a background in disaster recovery planning or incident response.

They have developed their technical skills and knowledge in roles such as IT Operations Manager, Business Continuity Planner, or Disaster Recovery Analyst.

Those with more than 7 years of experience often have leadership experience in their background.

They have likely managed disaster recovery efforts or led teams in response to IT incidents.

These candidates may be ready for senior-level or managerial roles in disaster recovery coordination.

 

Disaster Recovery Coordinator Education and Training Requirements

A Disaster Recovery Coordinator typically requires a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, computer science, information technology, business management or another related field.

They need to possess knowledge in emergency response protocols, disaster recovery procedures, and business continuity planning.

In some cases, a master’s degree in emergency management or a related field may be preferred.

Such higher studies focus on crisis management, risk mitigation, emergency preparedness, and disaster response and recovery.

Many Disaster Recovery Coordinators are also Certified Business Continuity Professionals (CBCP).

This certification is provided by the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) and requires experience, education, and passing an examination.

Disaster Recovery Coordinators are also encouraged to attend regular trainings and workshops to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies related to disaster recovery and business continuity.

Furthermore, experience in managing emergency situations, coordinating recovery operations, and working with emergency response teams is vital for this role.

 

Disaster Recovery Coordinator Salary Expectations

A Disaster Recovery Coordinator earns an average salary of $79,423 (USD) per year.

The salary can fluctuate based on factors such as experience, certifications, the size and sector of the employer, and the geographical location.

 

Disaster Recovery Coordinator Job Description FAQs

What skills does a Disaster Recovery Coordinator need?

Disaster Recovery Coordinators need strong organizational and project management skills to plan and implement recovery procedures effectively.

They should possess excellent communication skills to liaise between different teams and departments.

They should also have critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to identify potential risks and develop appropriate responses.

Knowledge of IT infrastructure and data management is essential.

 

Do Disaster Recovery Coordinators need a degree?

Many Disaster Recovery Coordinators hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Computer Science or Information Systems.

Some positions may require a master’s degree in Business Administration or a related field.

Certifications in disaster recovery or business continuity can be beneficial.

 

What should you look for in a Disaster Recovery Coordinator resume?

Look for evidence of relevant qualifications and experience in disaster recovery planning and implementation.

Knowledge of data recovery software and IT systems is important, as is experience with risk assessment and mitigation.

Project management experience can also be a strong asset.

 

What qualities make a good Disaster Recovery Coordinator?

A good Disaster Recovery Coordinator is analytical and detail-oriented, capable of identifying potential risks and planning accordingly.

They should be calm under pressure and able to make effective decisions in stressful situations.

They need to be excellent communicators, capable of coordinating across departments and explaining complex technical concepts in easy-to-understand terms.

 

Is it challenging to hire a Disaster Recovery Coordinator?

Recruiting a Disaster Recovery Coordinator can be challenging due to the specific combination of skills required.

They need both technical knowledge and the ability to manage projects effectively.

Additionally, the candidate needs to be able to handle high-stress situations and communicate clearly with different stakeholders.

Offering competitive salaries and opportunities for career development can make the position more attractive to potential candidates.

 

Conclusion

And there we have it.

We’ve delved into the ins and outs of what being a Disaster Recovery Coordinator truly entails.

You know what?

It’s not just about responding to crises.

It’s about strategizing, planning, and safeguarding business continuity, one recovery plan at a time.

Armed with our comprehensive Disaster Recovery Coordinator job description template and real-world examples, you’re ready to take the next step.

But don’t stop now.

Go further with our job description generator. It’s your key to expertly crafted job listings or fine-tuning your resume to stand out.

Bear in mind:

Every recovery plan is a piece of the greater resilience strategy.

Let’s build a more resilient future. Together.

How to Become a Disaster Recovery Coordinator (Complete Guide)

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