Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response

Information-and-Referral-Federation-of-Los-Angeles-County; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

211 LA seeks a Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response to oversee emergency readiness, response training, and data reporting across disaster activations in Los Angeles County. The role requires rapid, flexible decision-making, strong collaboration with government partners, and ongoing system improvements.

The position emphasizes development of EOPs, dashboards, and real-time data tools, with occasional on-site work and standby hours to meet activation needs.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of emergency management and disaster response systems.
• Strong leadership and decision-making under pressure.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary activation point for government agencies, leadership, and surge partners.
• Lead strategic planning for emergency response services and program expansion.
• Identify funding opportunities and build strategic partnerships.
• Maintain and advance disaster intake systems, EOPs, and response infrastructure.
• Coordinate disaster response staffing across deployments and activations.
• Develop monitoring, QA, and reporting systems for contracts and fiscal accountability.
• Provide regular staff training on roles during emergencies and ensure safety readiness.
• Collaborate with first responders and external partners and represent the agency publicly.
• Oversee post-activation deliverables, including after-action and closeout reports.

Skills

Emergency management knowledge

Leadership under stress

Excellent communication

Contract interpretation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Title: Director of Emergency Preparedness and ResponseReports To: Senior Director of I&RStatus: ExemptDepartment: I & RPOSITION SUMMARY:The Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response oversees and coordinates the agency's emergency preparedness and response functions. This includes spearheading the development, maintenance, and continuous testing and evaluation of 211 LA's emergency response training, protocols, resources, data reporting, and other disaster-related systems. The Director serves as the primary point of contact for government agencies, agency leadership, and surge partners on all emergency preparedness and response matters. This individual also represents 211 LA in disaster-related collaboratives and mutual aid agreements, ensuring the agency stays connected to critical information, resources, and support during emergency events. Lastly, the Director coordinates the activities of 211 LA's Emergency Management Group during activations and disaster response.Note: This position requires residence in Los Angeles County. While primarily remote, it requires occasional in-person meetings and on-site, public-facing presence across multiple activation sites during disasters. The individual must be available on limited notice to work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts, during emergency activations and other critical events. The ability to respond to emergency assignments with limited notice is an essential function of the position.Primary DutiesThese specifications are general guidelines based upon the minimum experience normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this job.Serves as the primary point of contact during an activation for government agencies, agency leadership, and external surge partners.Leads strategic planning activities related to emergency response services, program expansion, operational capacity, and long-term sustainability, and supports implementation of agency-wide initiatives and priorities.Identifies new opportunities, funding sources, and strategic partnerships aligned with agency goals and community needs, and supports implementation of agency-wide initiatives and priorities.Maintains ownership of existing disaster intake systems, Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), and related response infrastructure, while continuously developing and advancing agency planning and readiness capabilities beyond current baselines.Proactively identifies gaps in emergency preparedness and response systems, protocols, staffing models, and technology infrastructure, and leads the development and implementation of solutions to close them.Regularly evaluates and stress-tests operational and programmatic processes through drills, tabletop exercises, and after-action reviews, and recommends improvements to enhance efficiency, service delivery, and response performance.Partners with the Technology team to design, build, and continuously refine the technical infrastructure needed for disaster response, including real-time dashboards, data reporting tools, and system integrations, maintaining an ongoing collaborative relationship to identify tweaks, fixes, and enhancements as response needs evolve.Provides regular training to ensure all staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities during emergency events and have a plan in place for their own safety preparedness.Designs and leads pre-emptive, routine disaster response training and drills on a recurring basis for internal staff who can be leveraged during disaster activations, and for external volunteers when applicable, building organization-wide readiness ahead of activations rather than training reactively once an event has already occurred.Ensures that disaster-related information and resources are accurately communicated across departments in a timely manner.Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with first responders, city and county agencies, funders, community partners, service providers, and internal departments, and represents the agency at meetings, workgroups, media engagements, and other public-facing events related to disaster response.Develops, implements, and oversees monitoring tools, quality assurance processes, and compliance reporting systems to track outcomes, operational effectiveness, contractual obligations, and fiscal accountability, including preparation of daily, weekly, monthly, and ad hoc reports for executive leadership and stakeholders.Oversees data quality, reporting accuracy, and response outcomes to support informed decision making and resource allocation in a continually changing environment.Leads development of post-activation deliverables, including interim status reports, after-action reports, spend-down reporting, and closeout documentation for all stakeholders.Responds to escalated client, vendor, funder, operational, and programmatic issues and develops resolutions that support compliance, continuity of services, and positive stakeholder relationships.Maintains extensive knowledge of the County's and State of California's emergency preparedness and response systems.Develops proposals, program budgets, budget narratives, and financial projections for new and existing preparedness and response activities, and monitors budgets and expenditures to ensure fiscal accountability, compliance with funding requirements, and alignment with agency goals.Collaborates with Accounting and other internal departments to support timely invoicing, accurate fiscal reporting, expenditure reconciliation, audits, monitoring visits, compliance reviews, and prompt reimbursement from funders.Initiates ideas and assesses risk; delegates and follows through on projects; motivates and supports staff; maintains positive morale within the unit; encourages creative ideas and inter-group cooperation.Coordinates disaster response staffing, including placement of staff and Program Manager assignments, to ensure adequate coverage across deployments such as Disaster Recovery Centers, community outreach, distribution events, and other field activations.Performs special projects, assignments, and other duties as assigned in support of the agency's mission, values, and strategic priorities.Other duties may be assigned at management’s discretion.To excel in this role, the ideal candidate should possess:A minimum of 5 years of experience managing projects and/or programs.Working knowledge of emergency management and disaster response systems within Los Angeles County.Thorough knowledge of the information and referral process and social services delivery.Ability to read, analyze, and interpret contracts, protocols, system data, reports, and operational procedures.Demonstrated experience developing, managing, and monitoring program or departmental budgets, including financial forecasting, expense tracking, reconciliation, and preparation of financial reports.Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.Demonstrated leadership in highly stressful situations, including the ability to make decisions quickly and decisively, often with limited information.Comfort navigating an uncertain, politically sensitive, and rapidly changing environment.Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and age backgrounds.Current valid driver's license and proof of insurance.Ability to travel as needed to support agency objectives, including evenings and weekends.Availability on short notice and flexibility to work varied schedules in support of County emergency operations during unforeseen emergencies or disaster situations.Intermediate proficiency with computer systems and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related software.Ability to type 45 to 50 words per minute with at least 90% accuracy.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.COMPENSATION: $85,000TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:You must have:Solid internet connection (50 Mbps)Quiet space without distractionsMust be able to work independently, comply with job description requirements/expectations, and get the job doneTravel as needed to achieve agency objectives; may be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidaysPHYSICAL DEMANDS:As the 211 LA Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, you are regularly required to work at a desk, conference table, and computer for extended periods of time. You are frequently required to walk and sit and occasionally required to stand. You are occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 15 pounds unassisted. You may occasionally be required to drive to locations to attend meetings.