Emergency Management Director

City of Milwaukee; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Milwaukee seeks an experienced Emergency Management Director to lead the Office of Emergency Management, driving planning, preparedness, and resilience across city departments and partners.

The role coordinates emergency-management programs, ensures compliance with state and local frameworks, and serves as a trusted liaison with federal, state, and local entities for strategic initiatives and resource readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public safety, homeland security, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible emergency-management experience, including leadership.
• Valid driver’s license at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide emergency-management leadership for the City’s programs and strategic initiatives.
• Direct and manage the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and related plans.
• Advise City leadership on emergency-management risks, requirements and capabilities.
• Establish citywide emergency-management priorities, policies, procedures, standards, and protocols.
• Oversee emergency communications functions, including coordination with partners and stakeholders.

Skills

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Critical thinking

Decision-making

Organizational and planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in EM/public safety/ homeland security

Master’s degree (Desirable)

Job description

Pursuant to Chapter 323 of the Wisconsin State Statutes and Chapter 6 of the City of Milwaukee Charter Ordinances, the Emergency Management Director (EMD) leads the Office of Emergency Management by coordinating and monitoring the City of Milwaukee’s emergency management planning and strategic initiatives.

The EMD operates primarily through coordination, planning, and executive leadership. Consistent with Milwaukee Charter §6-11, the EMD does not exercise command authority over an officer or employee in charge of another City department.

The EMD reports to the Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission. For more information about the Fire and Police Commission, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/fpc.

Essential Functions

EMERGENCY PLANNING OVERSIGHT AND COMPLIANCE

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the City's emergency-management, homeland-security, disaster-preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery programs.
• Direct and manage the City’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), hazard mitigation plans, and compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Establish Citywide emergency-management priorities, policies, procedures, standards and operational protocols.
• Assess hazards, vulnerabilities and organizational capabilities, and identify strategies to strengthen City resilience.
• Advise the Mayor, Common Council, and City leadership regarding emergency-management risks, preparedness requirements and response capabilities.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

• Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison to various organizations and officials in the field of emergency management and communications, including federal, state and county partners, public health agencies, non-governmental organizations and schools.
• Serve as a member of the Ad Hoc Emergency Communication Steering Team.
• Oversee the operation of emergency communications activities through the development, administration, and implementation of policies, rules, standards of operation, audits, and strategic planning.

EMERGENCY TRAINING IMPLEMENTATION

• Administer training exercises and outreach to expand emergency management preparedness for city and state agencies, private organizations, and community-based organizations.
• Ensure City plans are coordinated with applicable Milwaukee County, State of Wisconsin, and federal emergency-management plans and frameworks. Coordinate departmental emergency plans to promote interoperability and effective Citywide responses.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year exercise and training strategy based upon identified risks and organizational capabilities. Direct emergency-management training programs and exercises for City departments and personnel.
• Coordinate tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises involving multiple City departments and external partners.
• Direct City participation in emergency-management programs and exercises ordered by the Wisconsin Adjutant General or Milwaukee County head of Emergency Management.
• Establish processes for after-action review, corrective-action planning, and continuous improvement following emergencies, exercises, and significant planned events.

OPERATIONAL READINESS AND RESOURCE CAPABILITY

• Assess City emergency management personnel, equipment, facilities, technology, communications, and supply requirements.
• Ensure the availability of emergency-management supplies and equipment in accordance with applicable authority, procurement requirements, and the City's emergency plans.
• Develop resource-management systems supporting partial or full mobilization in anticipation of response to an emergency or disaster.
• Maintain readiness of the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and associated emergency communications and information-management systems.
• Conduct or direct studies of governmental, private-sector, and community resources and facilities to determine emergency-management capabilities and potential uses.

EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION AND WARNING COORDINATION

• Serve as the central coordination point for information concerning City government operations during periods of emergency, consistent with the City's incident command and public-information structure.
• Establish and maintain an emergency public-information program.
• Coordinate timely, accurate, accessible, and consistent public messaging concerning emergencies, protective actions, and available resources.
• Coordinate emergency communications among City officials, City employees, the media, partner agencies, and the public.
• Promote public preparedness, individual and community resilience, and awareness of protective measures.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY DURING EMERGENCIES

• Carry out the responsibilities assigned to the City's head of emergency management during declared emergencies.
• When authorized by Wisconsin law, enter into contracts on behalf of the City for equipment and services necessary to respond to a disaster or imminent threat of disaster.
• Advise City leadership concerning emergency declarations, emergency authorities, resource requirements, and operational consequences.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC) MANAGEMENT

• Direct and manage the City’s EOC by assigning roles and responsibilities to department heads and senior management personnel when the EOC is activated.
• Establish and maintain effective EOC procedures, staffing structures, communications protocols, situational-awareness systems, and resource-coordination processes.
• Support executive decision-making by providing timely and accurate information regarding incident status, operational priorities, resource needs, and emerging risks.
• Maintain certifications and monitor national trends and standards in emergency management and communications.

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check prior to mayoral appointment.
• Be on-call during activation of the EOC and/or during the declaration of an emergency by city and/or county officials.
• File a statement of economic interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.
• Annually contact each member of the Common Council to obtain performance feedback; annually report to the Common Council on the results.
• Occasionally lift and move objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Must work beyond standard business hours and on occasional weekends to meet departmental needs.
• Travel to various sites throughout the City of Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
• Carry a cell phone during work hours.
• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public safety, homeland security, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, disaster preparedness, public safety, or homeland security, including one year in a supervisory or management role.
• Valid driver’s license at the time of appointment and throughout employment. Private automobile allowance may be paid pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Emergency communications and/or homeland security certifications.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

TECHNICAL

• Knowledge of emergency management best practices, including the equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations related to emergency management.
• Ability to establish policies and procedures related to emergency communications and major incidents.
• Ability to understand and apply complex documents such as laws, policies, procedures, and technical publications.
• Knowledge of the business and management principles involved in budgeting, purchasing, contracts, grants, strategic planning, and the coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of the capabilities of information technology to transform and enhance operations and services.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications to be able to produce correspondence, analyze data, and create reports.
• Skill in data and information analysis and interpretation.

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL

• Excellent verbal communication and public speaking skills to effectively represent the department before public bodies and the media.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and political acumen, with the ability to cultivate strategic partnerships and build trusted relationships with senior leaders across the public and private sectors.
• Superior written communication skills to compose well-crafted policies, plans, reports, and correspondence.

LEADERSHIP

• Ability to provide emergency management leadership for governmental partners and senior officials representing various organizations.
• Ability to provide direction and training to department heads and senior managers.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all associates are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.
• Ability to engage in professional development activities related to emergency management.

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONALISM

• Ability to translate abstract concepts and high-level thinking into workable plans.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems.
• Decision-making skills and sound judgment to manage sensitive, complex issues with diplomacy and professionalism.
• Organizational and planning skills to effectively oversee projects, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and accomplish goals.
• Ability to provide responsible stewardship of City resources.
• Ability to represent the City of Milwaukee professionally, ethically, and maintain the utmost confidentiality.