Emergency Management Coordinator - DEM

Cowlitz County, WA; Kelso (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowlitz County in Washington State seeks an Emergency Management professional to coordinate planning, training, public education and public information. The role supports the Director in emergency planning, training, and EOC coordination, including social media and public notifications.

Responsibilities include developing plans, delivering education programs, supporting LEPC and PIO committees, and managing grant funds, budgets, and logistics for exercises and trainings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• IC/NIMS (IS-100, 200, 700, 800) training or knowledge.
• Preferred: Associate’s degree, diploma, or certification in Emergency Management.
• Prefer three years of practical Emergency Services experience (paid or volunteer).
• Possess and maintain a valid driver license.

Responsibilities

• Disseminate countywide emergency warnings and notifications.
• Respond to the EOC as directed; serve as the EOC Facilities Manager or related duties.
• Periodically assume EM Duty Officer duties in director's absence.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal officials and the public to ensure timely disaster assistance.
• Provide logistical support for training activities, exercises, and meetings; host/present via virtual platforms; coordinate participation of local/state agencies in the Cowlitz County Fair.
• Coordinate emergency management training and exercises; develop public education programs; support LEPC, SAFE Schools Committee, and PIO Committee; update CEMP and hazard-specific plans.
• Assist with general office duties including front desk, records, correspondence; participate in budget preparation and grant-based SOWs; monitor expenditures for public education materials.
• Sustain EOC readiness and schedule EOC use for meetings; coordinate grant-funded terrorism preparedness initiatives; act as EM liaison for terrorism preparedness, protection, response and recovery.

Skills

IC/NIMS training

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree / Certification in Emergency Management (preferred)

Valid driver license

Job description

Planning, Training & Public Education

This position coordinates emergency management program areas to support the effective operation of the department and provides support to the Director in the areas of planning, training, public education, and public information. Assists in the coordination of miscellaneous emergency response, hazard-specific plans, terrorism threats, the conduct of emergency management training and exercises in the County, the delivery of the Emergency Public Education program for the County, and the management for effective Public Information including social media. Public Education will include natural disasters, technological hazards, public health, man-made threats to include terrorism.

Administration, Finance & Logistics

This position assists in portions of administration and finance, such as grant funds management and compliance with grant guidance. Also assist as necessary in the management of the County’s emergency worker program and helps to maintain the resource and emergency notification databases. Together with the Team also performs some secretarial, clerical and reception duties. Maintains familiarity with applicable guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security and state homeland security grants and programs

This position is closes on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 at 11:59pm.

General

1. Assist with the dissemination of countywide emergency warning and notifications.
2. Respond to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as directed, to assist in disaster coordination. Serve as the EOC “Facilities Manager,” and/or other duties as assigned by the EOC Manager or the EM Director, e.g. “Volunteer Staff Assistants’ Supervisor.”
3. Periodically assume the EM Duty Officer duties as assigned and in the absence of the Director.
4. Assist the Director to coordinate with local, state, and/or federal officials and the public to ensure the timely delivery of disaster assistance.
5. Assist in providing logistical support for training activities, exercises and meetings, including but not limited to the ability to host, present and attend these events via virtual platforms such as ‘Zoom’, GoToMeeting’ and ‘Microsoft Teams’. Coordinate and oversee the participation of local and state emergency service organizations in the Cowlitz County Fair.

Planning, Training & Public Education

1. 1. Assist in coordinating emergency management training and exercises (serve as liaison to local, state and federal agencies).
   2. Develop and conduct emergency management public education programs.
   3. Providing administrative support to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), the SAFE Schools Committee, and the PIO Committee.
   4. Assist the Director with the update of the Cowlitz County Comprehensive Emergency Plan (CEMP), and development and update of hazard specific plans and procedures (e.g., Hazard Mitigation Plan, Dam Failure Response Protocols, etc.)
   5. Assist with general office duties including front-desk reception, customer service and greeting visitors; and assist with clerical duties including records maintenance, and general correspondence.
   6. Conduct regular and required emergency communications tests and trouble shoot communications equipment in the EOC.

Administration, Finance & Logistics

1. 1. Assist with developing and revising internal emergency plans and operational procedures. Routinely update external plans and procedures that are kept and maintained at the Department.
   2. Maintain and update equipment and personnel resource databases, and emergency notification lists, including phone numbers, addresses, personnel changes, and email addresses.
   3. Assist in the coordination of the County Emergency Worker Program to include issuing identification cards to all Emergency Workers, and maintaining an Emergency Worker database to track all search and training missions in the County.
   4. Perform secretarial and clerical duties for the department, including preparing and distributing correspondence, preparing/typing plans, procedures and reports; taking meeting minutes; and maintaining records.
   5. Perform reception duties including: answering phones, responding to inquiries and greeting the visitors.
   6. Assist the Director with the preparation of the budget and miscellaneous grant-based Scopes of Work (SOW).
   7. Assist with ordering public education materials and then monitor monthly expenditures and budget.
   8. Assist in sustaining EOC operational readiness and scheduling the use of the EOC for meetings.
   9. Coordinates grant-funded terrorism preparedness initiatives, including planning, training, exercises, equipment acquisition, and program reporting.
   10. Serves as the Emergency Management liaison for terrorism preparedness, prevention, protection, response, and recovery activities.

Other Duties

1. Perform other duties as assigned, including covering for other staff and training/guide new personnel/staff.
2. Manage and execute Social Media engagement on Facebook, Instagram, etc., on a regular basis and assist PIOs/JIC when the EOC is activated and assist emergency response agencies in training/educating the public during response and preparedness activities.

1. High School Diploma or the equivalent.
2. Training and knowledge of basic IC/S/NIMS (IS-100, 200, 700, 800)
3. Prefer an Associate’s degree, Diploma, or Certification in Emergency Management, Oregon’s Basic Applied Practices Series in Emergency Management, FEMA’s Professional Development Series, IAEM’s Certified Emergency Manager, or similar experience.
4. Prefer three (3) years practical experience in Emergency Services as paid or volunteer staff (such as with the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Faith-Based Disaster Relief, or similar)
5. Possess and maintain a valid driver license.

1. Able to deal courteously with the public, including tactful handling of disgruntled citizens. Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relations with other staff, volunteers, other county employees and agencies and the general public.
2. Able to work in a cooperative and team-work environment with individuals from different groups and backgrounds. Able to function and maintain control during the stress and multi-task environment of emergency management duties. Work under deadline requirements and in times of severe emergency or disaster be prepared to work more than twelve (12) hours straight and in excess of forty (40) hours per week including nights, weekends, and holidays.
3. Communicate effectively in oral and written professional business-like manner. Compose correspondence and prepare effective reports.
4. Able to lead and direct volunteers during emergency management activities, and relay information and training effectively.
5. Able to exercise discretion over sensitive and confidential issues related to the department and its business.
6. Develop and maintain a general understanding of the regulations and other information that relate to the functions and services of the department.
7. Ability to handle job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace.