Deputy Director of Emergency Services

SAN-Benito-Count; Hollister (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

San Benito County seeks an executive to oversee the Office of Emergency Services and Emergency Medical Services. The role directs emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation, and coordinates contracts for 911 dispatch, fire protection, and ambulance services.

Under administrative direction, you will lead countywide programs, develop plans, manage the budget, supervise staff, and work with local, state, and federal partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management or related field.
• Four years of professional admin or management experience in emergency management.
• At least one year managing countywide emergency plans and supervision.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a CA driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead emergency management as Emergency Services Coordinator for countywide readiness and resilience.
• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate OES/EMS programs; set goals and performance measures.
• Oversee emergency operations center readiness, exercises, and response capabilities.
• Coordinate emergency planning with county departments, cities, agencies, and partner organizations.
• Direct budget development, monitoring expenditures, and pursuit of federal/state grants.
• Manage emergency management contracts for 911 dispatch, fire protection, and ambulance services.

Skills

Emergency management

Budget management

Public safety liaison

Interagency coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Definition

Under administrative direction, provides executive-level oversight of the County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS); directs emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities; oversees County contracts for 911 dispatch, fire protection, and ambulance services; coordinates with County departments and local, state, and federal partner agencies; ensures compliance with applicable laws and County policies; and performs related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a single-incumbent classification responsible for the administration and oversight of the County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs. The incumbent serves as the County’s Emergency Services Coordinator and is responsible for countywide emergency preparedness, planning, response, recovery, mitigation, and interagency coordination. The position exercises a high degree of independent administrative responsibility in developing and implementing emergency services policies, coordinating County departments and partner agencies, and supporting the County Executive Officer, Board of Supervisors, and other County leadership on emergency and disaster-related matters. The position requires a high degree of administrative, organizational, and communication skills and is subject to on-call and extended work hours as required by emergency conditions or operational needs.

Employment At-Will

This is an at-will position. The incumbent is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the County Executive Officer and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, and without any right of appeal.

Examples of Duties:

• Serves as the County’s lead emergency management official and Emergency Services Coordinator; directs and coordinates countywide emergency preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience activities.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the programs and activities of the Office of Emergency Services through subordinate staff; establishes program goals, objectives, priorities, performance measures, and operational standards.
• Develops, implements, and maintains the County’s emergency operations plans, policies, procedures, contingency plans, and resource mobilization strategies; oversees operational readiness of the Emergency Operations Center and conducts exercises and drills to evaluate preparedness and response capabilities.
• Coordinates emergency planning and response activities with County departments, cities, special districts, public safety agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other governmental and community partners; promotes whole-community preparedness and resilience.
• Provides strategic and operational oversight during emergencies and disasters, including coordination of resources, response, rescue, evacuation, recovery, and mutual aid activities; exercises delegated emergency authorities as authorized.
• Monitors federal and state legislation, regulations, and requirements affecting emergency management; develops and implements policies, procedures, and system improvements to ensure compliance.
• Directs the preparation and administration of the Office of Emergency Services budget; monitors expenditures, evaluates funding needs, and identifies and secures federal, state, and other grant funding opportunities.
• Oversees emergency management contracts, agreements, grants, and related funding programs; develops recommendations and presents plans, budgets, contracts, and program initiatives to the County Executive Officer, Board of Supervisors, and other governing bodies.
• Directs public education, outreach, training, exercises, seminars, and presentations related to emergency preparedness, disaster response, and community resilience.
• Selects, assigns, directs, trains, develops, and evaluates subordinate staff; promotes professional development and effective coordination among personnel involved in emergency response.
• Serves on or provides staff support to advisory bodies, councils, commissions, and regional or interagency organizations related to emergency management, public safety, communications, and disaster preparedness.
• Prepares and presents reports, recommendations, correspondence, and other materials concerning emergency management programs, operations, contracts, and projects; represents the County before governmental agencies, professional organizations, and the public.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of emergency management programs and services and directs improvements to enhance operational readiness, response capabilities, and service delivery.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the County Executive Officer.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Public or Business Administration, Emergency Services, Disaster Management, or a closely related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional-level administrative or management experience in emergency management, emergency services, disaster preparedness, or a closely related field, including at least one (1) year of experience developing and implementing countywide or comparable emergency and disaster plans. AND Four (4) years in a management and supervisory capacity.

• 1.Possession of, or the ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.
• 2.Completion of Federal Emergency Management Institute (FEMA) Professional Development Series must be obtained within one (1) year of appointment.
• 3.All County employees can and will be called upon to act as Disaster Workers when needed.
• 4.Ability to qualify for security clearance through a background investigation, including a fingerprint check.
• 5.May be required to work extended hours, weekends, holidays, and respond to emergency or disaster conditions as necessary.

Desired Qualifications:

• 1.Possession of a California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) Emergency Management Specialist Certificate or International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Associated Emergency Manager (AEM) is highly desired.
• 2.Possession of a Master’s degree Business Administration, Public Administration, or a relevant technical or disaster planning degree from an accredited college or university.

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and systems of emergency management, disaster preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and community resilience, including NIMS, SEMS, and related emergency management systems; Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, programs, and plans governing emergency management and disaster services; principles and practices of public administration, organizational leadership, strategic planning, program development and evaluation, and intergovernmental coordination; emergency management planning, hazard assessment, resource management, emergency operations, and disaster recovery, including applicable geographic and community considerations; governmental budgeting, fiscal planning, contract administration, grant programs, and funding sources related to emergency management and public safety; principles and practices of personnel management, organizational development, and effective program administration; methods for analyzing emergency management programs, assessing risks and capabilities, measuring performance, and developing operational improvements; public communication, presentation, facilitation, negotiation, consensus building, and stakeholder engagement; county organization, operations, policies, and procedures, and the roles and responsibilities of governmental and partner agencies involved in emergency management; current and emerging technology, practices, and trends in emergency preparedness, response, mitigation, recovery, and disaster resilience.

Ability to: Plan, direct, coordinate, and evaluate complex countywide emergency management programs and the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff; develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive emergency and disaster plans, policies, procedures, and long-range program objectives; analyze complex and rapidly changing emergency situations, assess risks and available resources, and make sound, timely decisions under pressure; analyze complex issues and data, identify alternatives and consequences, exercise independent judgment, and develop effective recommendations and solutions; interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and emergency management requirements; coordinate resources, activities, and emergency management objectives across County departments, governmental agencies, partner organizations, and community stakeholders; establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials, employees, government agencies, boards, commissions, community organizations, businesses, and the public; communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, including preparing and presenting comprehensive administrative, technical, statistical, and emergency management reports and plans; develop and implement improvements to programs, systems, and technology; adapt effectively to changing conditions and emergency situations; exercise initiative, sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when addressing complex administrative, technical, personnel, and sensitive issues.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office environment and in emergency or field settings; vision to read printed materials and computer screens; and hearing and speech to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and by radio or other communication systems. Requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and move between work areas; use standard office and emergency management equipment; and operate a computer and keyboard. May occasionally be required to lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds. Work is performed primarily in an office environment with moderate noise and controlled temperature conditions, with periodic work in emergency operations centers, field locations, disaster sites, and other variable environments. May be exposed to inclement weather, hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, uneven terrain, dust, smoke, noise, and other conditions associated with emergency or disaster response. Requires availability for on-call assignments and extended, irregular, weekend, holiday, or overnight hours during emergencies, disasters, exercises, or other critical events. Employees may interact with individuals who are distressed, upset, or under stressful circumstances and must exercise appropriate judgment, professionalism, and discretion.

Disaster Service Workers: All San Benito County employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6 via adoption of local Ordinance No. 361 § 1, 2-25-75). As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following significant emergency or disaster.