Director of Emergency Management

FiscalNote CQ Roll Call; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition waiver

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Illinois State University is seeking a Director of Emergency Management to lead a campus-wide public safety team within the Division of Student Affairs. The role directs the university's comprehensive emergency management program, ensuring preparedness before, during, and after crises affecting students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The successful candidate will supervise full-time staff and students, build cross-campus partnerships, and apply NIMS/FEMA guidance to mitigation, response, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant field.
• Minimum seven years of professional emergency management experience with full scope.
• Experience supervising staff and developing talent.
• PEM or PEM-certification or ability to obtain within 2 years.
• Expertise in emergency management, including NIMS and FEMA guidance.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local emergency regulations.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the University's Emergency Operations Plan and related documents and support plans.
• Supervise emergency management staff, including hiring, onboarding, and professional development and evaluation; ensure alignment with departmental and University priorities while fostering a high-performing team.
• Train designated University personnel in their assigned responsibilities and duties associated with emergency preparedness and response activities.
• Develop, deliver and evaluate drills and exercises that serve to raise the University's capability to respond during and after an emergency.
• Maintain required records, documentation, reports, etc. associated with emergency management activities and related training.
• Coordinate emergency planning, briefings and public safety operations for special events.
• Collaborate with University personnel to ensure that local emergency response plans, training and education are effectively utilized to ensure campus personnel are familiar with emergency response actions for various types of emergencies.
• Serve as University Emergency Manager in coordinating the response efforts to significant University emergencies and disasters.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Stakeholder management

NIMS knowledge

FEMA guidance

MS Office

Reading drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree

PEM certification

Master's degree

CEM certification

Tools

CAD software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Director of Emergency Management is a member of a campus-wide team of public safety professionals within the Division of Student Affairs. The overall responsibility of the team is to monitor and assess conditions on campus and provide necessary oversight to ensure that ISU provides a safe and resilient campus for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This position is responsible for leading the University's emergency comprehensive management program and ensuring that the University is adequately prepared before, during, and after any type of crisis that may impact campus. This position provides direct supervision to full-time staff and student employees, including oversight of performance management, professional development, and day-to-day operational direction.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and strategic leader with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building productive relationships across a diverse range of campus and community stakeholders. They will demonstrate sound judgment, effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities, and a proven capacity to advance organizational goals through partnership, teamwork, and influence. The candidate will possess the technical and professional competencies necessary to lead a comprehensive emergency management program, including expertise in emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery; knowledge of federal, state, and local emergency management regulations and practices; and the ability to apply National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidance, and other nationally recognized emergency management frameworks and protocols. Success in the role requires strong analytical and technical skills, proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, and the ability to read and interpret architectural drawings and specifications to support emergency planning, mitigation, and response activities. Above all, the individual will exhibit adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to preparedness and continuous improvement while navigating the complex and evolving needs of a university environment.

The Director of Emergency Management is directly responsible for the following:

• Develop and maintain the University's Emergency Operations Plan and related documents and support plans
• Supervise emergency management staff, including hiring, onboarding, and professional development and evaluation; ensure alignment with departmental and University priorities while fostering a high-performing team
• Train designated University personnel in their assigned responsibilities and duties associated with emergency preparedness and response activities
• Develop, deliver and evaluate drills and exercises that serve to raise the University's capability to respond during and after an emergency
• Maintain required records, documentation, reports, etc. associated with emergency management activities and related training
• Coordinate emergency planning, briefings and public safety operations for special events
• Collaborate with University personnel to ensure that local emergency response plans, training and education are effectively utilized to ensure campus personnel are familiar with emergency response actions for various types of emergencies
• Serve as University Emergency Manager in coordinating the response efforts to significant University emergencies and disasters

University Benefit Highlights

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
• Retirementand supplemental retirement planning options
• Tuition waiver benefitsavailable to staff as well as their eligible dependents
• Paid holiday/administrative closuresduring Fall and Winter Breaks
• Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Special Information for Applicants

A leadership profile, providing additional information about Illinois State University and the position is available within the ISU posting.

Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree.

2. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in emergency management or a closely related field, with demonstrated responsibility for comprehensive emergency management functions, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

3. Demonstrated experience supervising and developing professional staff, including hiring, performance management, coaching, and team leadership.

4. Illinois (or other state) Professional Emergency Manager (PEM) certification or acquired within 2 years of employment.

5. Demonstrated expertise in emergency management and disaster planning, including the ability to lead preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts and apply NIMS, FEMA guidance, and other nationally recognized emergency management frameworks and protocols.

6. Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, policies, and practices related to emergency management.

7. Valid driver's license.

8. Must be able to report to the Normal campus within 30 minutes of notification during emergency situations and critical incidents. This position is on call 24/7 for emergencies.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Degree in emergency management, homeland security, fire science, criminal justice, public administration, public safety administration, business continuity, risk management, environmental health and safety, or related field.

2. Master's degree.

3. Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Professional Emergency Manager (PEM).

4. Higher education emergency management experience.

5. Experience leading emergency management programs in complex organizations such as universities, healthcare systems, municipalities, government agencies, or large corporations.