Career Overview
Develop, maintain, or implement business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and solutions, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, strategy selection, and documentation of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures. Plan, conduct, and debrief regular mock-disaster exercises to test the adequacy of existing plans and strategies, updating procedures and plans regularly. Act as a coordinator for continuity efforts after a disruption event.
Also Known As
- Business Continuity Administrator (Business Continuity Admin)
- Business Continuity Analyst
- Business Continuity Consultant
- Business Continuity Coordinator
Alternate Job Titles
- Business Change Advisor
- Business Consultant
- Business Continuity Administrator (Business Continuity Admin)
- Business Continuity Analyst
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Consultant
- Business Continuity And Disaster Recovery Specialist
- Business Continuity Consultant
- Business Continuity Coordinator
- Business Continuity Planner
- Business Continuity Professional
- Business Continuity Specialist
- Business Initiatives Consultant
- Business Professional
- Business System Consultant
- Change Management Analyst
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Develop emergency management plans for recovery decision making and communications, continuity of critical departmental processes, or temporary shut-down of non-critical departments to ensure continuity of operation and governance.
- Test documented disaster recovery strategies and plans.
- Develop disaster recovery plans for physical locations with critical assets, such as data centers.
- Establish, maintain, or test call trees to ensure appropriate communication during disaster.
- Identify opportunities for strategic improvement or mitigation of business interruption and other risks caused by business, regulatory, or industry-specific change initiatives.
- Maintain and update organization information technology applications and network systems blueprints.
- Review existing disaster recovery, crisis management, or business continuity plans.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Systems Analysis
- Systems Evaluation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Fluency of Ideas
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Adaptability
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Atlassian Confluence
- Atlassian JIRA
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
Tools & Equipment
- Computer laser printers
- Computer server equipment
- Desktop computers
- Mainframe computers
- Multiline telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Storage area network equipment
- Tablet computers
- Teleconferencing systems
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Spend Time Sitting
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Business Operations Specialists, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Business Continuity Planners.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $46,230 |
| Median | $81,270 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $147,830 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 1,128,200
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Emergency Management Directors
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $86,130
Project Management Specialists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $100,750
Information Technology Project Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $108,970
Financial Risk Specialists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $106,000
Compliance Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $136,550
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.