Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Emergency Services Manager

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a calm, decisive leader who thrives under pressure? This role requires a dedicated and experienced Emergency Services Manager to spearhead our comprehensive emergency management program. In this critical leadership role, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of emergency management—from proactive planning and mitigation to decisive incident response and strategic post-event recovery. You will serve as the primary architect of our organization's resilience, coordinating with a diverse network of internal teams, external agencies, and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills, a deep understanding of incident command principles, and a proven track record of managing complex, large-scale emergencies. If you are passionate about protecting communities and building robust systems to withstand any crisis, we invite you to apply.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Emergency Management Planner / Coordinator
First Responder Supervisor (e.g., Fire Captain, Police Lieutenant, EMS Supervisor)
Public Health Preparedness Coordinator
Homeland Security Analyst

Advancement To:

Director of Emergency Management / Public Safety
Regional Emergency Coordinator (State/Federal)
City or County Assistant Manager
Chief of Staff for a Public Safety Agency

Lateral Moves:

Business Continuity Manager
Corporate Security Director
Senior Public Information Officer
Risk Management Director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, maintain, and implement a comprehensive, all-hazards Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations and standards.
Lead and direct the activation, operation, and de-activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during drills, exercises, and real-world incidents, ensuring effective coordination among all stakeholders.
Design, execute, and evaluate a variety of training programs and exercises, including tabletop, functional, and full-scale drills, to test and improve emergency plans and response capabilities.
Serve as the principal advisor to executive leadership and elected officials on all matters concerning emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, providing clear and timely intelligence.
Manage the departmental budget, including forecasting, allocation of funds, and actively pursuing and administering federal and state grant opportunities (e.g., FEMA, DHS) to enhance program capabilities.
Establish and foster strong collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners, including law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, public health, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Oversee the development and regular testing of public warning and emergency notification systems to ensure timely and effective communication with the public during crises.
Conduct comprehensive Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA) and Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRA) to inform strategic planning and mitigation priorities.
Direct and manage emergency services personnel, including professional staff and volunteer teams, providing leadership, mentorship, and performance management.
Coordinate all short-term and long-term disaster recovery operations, including damage assessment, debris management, and collaboration with agencies for recovery assistance.
Ensure organizational compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) through training, policy, and operational practice.
Develop and lead public education and community outreach campaigns to promote a culture of preparedness and resilience among residents and local businesses.
Author and implement detailed After-Action Reports (AARs) and Improvement Plans (IPs) following incidents and exercises to capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement.
Manage procurement processes and contracts for essential emergency resources, services, and equipment, maintaining a state of operational readiness.
Oversee the inspection, maintenance, and inventory of all emergency facilities, vehicles, communications technology, and specialized equipment.
Act as the organization's official representative at local, regional, state, and federal emergency planning committees, task forces, and conferences.
Develop and implement robust Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) plans to ensure essential functions can be performed during and after a disaster.
Evaluate, recommend, and integrate new technologies, software, and tools to enhance situational awareness, communication, and overall EOC effectiveness.
Manage the 24/7 duty officer program, ensuring a qualified manager is always available to respond to and assess emerging incidents.
Coordinate the flow of critical information and intelligence between field command posts, the EOC, and executive leadership to maintain a common operating picture.

Secondary Functions

Represent the department in community meetings and public forums to promote disaster preparedness and build public trust.
Conduct ongoing research on emerging threats, best practices, and innovative technologies within the field of emergency management.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform strategic decisions.
Contribute to the organization's broader public safety strategy and long-term roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Incident Command System (ICS) & NIMS: Expert-level knowledge and practical application of NIMS/ICS principles, with certifications (e.g., ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800).
EOC Management: Proven ability to lead and manage all functions and positions within an active Emergency Operations Center.
Emergency Plan Development: Mastery in writing, reviewing, and updating complex Emergency Operations Plans, COOP plans, and hazard-specific annexes.
Grant Writing & Administration: Experience identifying, applying for, and managing federal and state grants (e.g., Homeland Security Grant Program, Emergency Management Performance Grant).
Hazard & Risk Assessment: Proficiency in conducting Hazard Vulnerability Analyses (HVA) and Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRA).
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Familiarity with using GIS software (like Esri ArcGIS) for situational awareness, damage assessment, and resource mapping.
Budgetary Management: Skill in developing and managing departmental budgets, including financial forecasting and resource allocation.
Emergency Communications Systems: Knowledge of operating public alert and warning systems (e.g., IPAWS), satellite phones, and radio interoperability.

Soft Skills

Crisis Leadership: Exceptional ability to remain calm, make decisive and sound judgments, and lead effectively in high-stress, rapidly evolving situations.
Strategic & Critical Thinking: Capacity to analyze complex situations, anticipate future challenges, and develop long-range plans and innovative solutions.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Superior written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex information to diverse audiences, from the public to senior executives.
Stakeholder Management & Collaboration: A natural ability to build consensus and foster strong working relationships with internal departments, external agencies, elected officials, and community groups.
Complex Problem-Solving: Adept at identifying the root causes of problems, evaluating options, and implementing effective solutions under pressure.
Adaptability & Resilience: The flexibility to pivot strategies in response to changing conditions and the personal resilience to manage the psychological demands of the role.
Public Speaking: Confidence and competence in addressing large groups, media outlets, and community forums.
Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Skill in mediating disputes and negotiating agreements between competing interests to achieve a common goal.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field.
Completion of advanced professional development programs, such as the FEMA Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Emergency Management
Public Administration
Homeland Security
Public Health
Business Continuity
Fire Science or Criminal Justice

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-10 years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, public safety, or a closely related field.

Preferred:

A minimum of three (3) years in a supervisory or management capacity within an emergency management or public safety organization.
Direct, hands-on experience with managing a major incident or full-scale EOC activation.
Professional certifications such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or state-equivalent are highly desirable.
Experience working within a government or municipal setting is a significant asset.