EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION DIRECTOR

AZ State Jobs; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 88,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Vacation with 10 paid holidays per yer

Health and dental insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance and long-term disabled

Optional employee benefits

Job summary

The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) seeks a Director of Emergency Management to lead the division’s efforts in preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. You will coordinate with federal and state partners, develop strategic plans, and oversee budgets and risk reduction programs.

Responsibilities include guiding policy, managing resources, and ensuring readiness for Homeland Defense, DSCA operations, and disaster response across the state, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in emergency management or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of Emergency Management experience; 10 years of leadership experience.
• FEMA ICS/PDS and related professional development is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight, guidance and policy to enable preparedness, response, recovery and mitigative activities.
• Develops and manages the Division's strategic plans and budget.
• Coordinate emergency activities with state and federal partners and manage resource allocation.

Skills

Leadership

Public speaking

Budgeting

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in emergency management or related field

Job description

DEPT OF EMERGENCY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

The Department of Emergency & Military Affairs (DEMA), led by The Adjutant General, provides emergency management and military capabilities to the citizens of Arizona and the nation. The Emergency Management Division consists of three sections—operations, preparedness, and financial administration. Each section works collaboratively across the agency and with external partners to manage emergency responses and reduce the impacts of disasters. Additionally, DEMA is the headquarters for the Arizona National Guard, the primary combat reserve of the United States military. The Arizona Army and Air National Guard provide military forces and equipment to accomplish community, state, and federal missions.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION DIRECTOR

Job Location:

Work Location: Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR), Phoenix, AZ

Posting Details:

Salary: $88,000 - $126,500 Annually (DOE)

Grade: E3

Closing Date: October 16, 2026

Job Summary:

The Division Director of Emergency Management is responsible for preparing and coordinating emergency services, and the effort of government to reduce the impact of disaster on person and property, and execute duties and responsibilities as defined in A.R.S. 26-306. This includes the State of Arizona's internal responsibilities for Homeland Defense (HD), incorporating the DoD's Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), planning for the response to Weapons of Mass Destruction, and ensuring the State of Arizona's responsibility for assisting the DoD with power projection and mission assurance (PPMA) from the DoD installations in Arizona. Ensures that Arizona is nested within the DoD's plans and domestic incidence response for any HD and DSCA tasks to mitigate the consequences of manmade or natural disasters.

Job Duties:

Responsibilities include:

• Provide oversight, guidance and policy to enable preparedness, response, recovery and mitigative activities to occur, including hazardous materials and nuclear off-site emergency plans. Provides briefings, public speaking engagements, supervises arrangements for public ceremonies, dedications and other functions publicizing Division activities. Integrates the State of Arizona into US NORTHCOM national level exercises, FEMA Region IX exercises (e.g., Vigilant Guard, TOPOFF), and homeland defense operations.
• Develops and manages the Division's strategic plans, goals and objectives, and oversees accomplishment of strategic objectives in a timely manner using continuous improvement business management model (Arizona Management System); oversees the development of the annual budget, allocation or program funds, and fund expenditures, prioritizes and assigns Division resources (personnel, funds, facilities) to accomplish Division mission and programs.
• Provide information to the Governor's Office and Emergency Council on programmatic and policy issues including: when an emergency should be declared, activating the State Emergency Operations Center, committing state resources to alleviate human suffering or property loss, and coordinating all federal assets dedicated to disaster relief within the state. Participates in the Federal and State agency Protection Workgroup hosted by the AZ Department of Public Safety and participates in US NORTHCOM operational and protection workgroups, Army NORTH protection workgroups, and DHS protection workgroups that affect the security and DoD critical infrastructure in the State of Arizona as identified by the Adjutant General of the Arizona National Guard, and the Governor.
• Coordinate emergency activities of the state and political subdivisions during disasters as the decision making authority for the state.
• Examines and analyzes legislation and proposed legislation affecting agency activities; makes evaluations and recommendations; writes draft legislation relating to emergency management.
• Propose, develop, negotiate and fulfill contractual agreements with government agencies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Principles of effective leadership and succession planning
• Management, planning, training and budgeting
• Government and legislative functions
• Specific knowledge of disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation programs
• Complete knowledge of federal and state disaster relief programs, the disaster declaration process, infrastructure and human services programs offered through a variety of federal agencies
• Theories and concepts of the Arizona Management System (AMS)

Skilled in:

• Excellent oral and written communication
• Public speaking
• Financial management and planning
• Automation skills
• Interpersonal relationships
• Negotiation
• Leadership
• Conflict Resolution
• Business Computer applications

Ability to:

• Create and maintain a healthy productive work environment
• Mentor and train team members
• Obtain and maintain a secret security clearance through the Department of Defense

Selective Preference(s):

Desired qualifications include any combination of experience, education, and training that meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities as described. Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Master Emergency Manager certifications preferred. Master's degree in emergency management, public administration, business administration, leadership, or a related field. Credentialed through AQS. Completion of executive level professional development (FEMA Vanguard, FEMA Executive Academy, NPS ELP, Harvard NPLI in residence, etc.). Emergency Management Experience at the local and / or county level.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Special Job Requirements:

• This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid Arizona state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)
• In State and out of state travel required.
• U.S Passport to travel for Bi-national committee meetings/conferences
• Criminal history investigation
• Ability to achieve a favorable National Agency Check with Investigation for purpose of obtaining a Common Access Card (CAC); Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense SCI security clearance eligibility based on a Tier 5 (or equivalent) investigation in accordance with Presidential Executive Order 13526, Sec. 1.4.g.
• Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited university.
• FEMA Professional Development Series (PDS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) Courses listed below:
  • ICS 100 Introduction to the Incident Command System
  • ICS 200 IC S for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
  • ICS 300 Intermediate IC S for Expanding Incidents
  • ICS 400 Advanced IC S for Command and General Staff
  • ICS 700 National Incident Management System, An Introduction
  • ICS 800 National Response Framework, An Introduction
• Minimum 5 years of Emergency Management experience. Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in related field.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

Benefits:

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Eligible DEMA employees participate in excellent retirement programs provided by the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and for fire personnel the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

Contact Us:

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact [e-mail].

DEMA is a smoke-free work environment.

ADA/EEO Employer

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer