Emergency Management Program Manager

AustinTexas; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-cost medical

Dental insurance

Vision care

Paid leave

Competitive retirement plan

Job summary

The Emergency Management Program Manager role at City of Austin leads department-wide preparedness, response, and recovery activities for flood, erosion, and water-quality emergencies. It emphasizes developing and maintaining emergency plans, strengthening collaboration with internal and regional partners, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing staff readiness.

The position ensures regulatory compliance, supports staff training, and builds capacity to protect residents, infrastructure,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Management, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, or related field with five years of emergency management or planning experience, including two years in supervision.
• Experience in Homeland Security/Emergency Management may substitute for education up to four years.
• Masters degree in Government, Management, or Emergency Management may substitute for two years of the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversees multiple emergency management programs and develops goals, resources, and long-term strategic plans with a focus on response activities.
• Establishes policies and systems to plan for all-hazard response and recovery activities.
• Develops and monitors Incident Command System and Emergency Response Plans per federal, state, and local requirements.
• Coordinates with Homeland Security and Emergency Management and agencies like TDEM on emergency activities.
• Collaborates with stakeholders on interdepartmental and interagency issues and projects.
• Develops training, seminars, and disaster exercises focused on natural hazards and operational risks.
• Creates community outreach programs and coordinates with leaders on preparedness and incident responses.
• Coordinates post-emergency after-action reviews and recommends corrective actions.
• Provides situational awareness to leadership and presents emergency management updates.
• Manages notification systems and after-action planning and tracking of corrective actions.
• Monitors program performance and budget, ensuring readiness of communication systems.
• Prepares annual budget and financial reports, identifying funding needs.

Skills

Incident Command System

Emergency management

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Oral and written communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field

Master’s degree substitution for experience

Job description

About This Position

Job Description:

Emergency Management Program Manager

Purpose:

Under limited direction, this position ensures operational readiness, facilitates response activities, and is responsible for overseeing, directing, and leading multiple emergency management and all-hazards programs.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

• Oversees, directs, and leads multiple emergency management programs and develops program goals, objectives, resource requirements, and short- and long-term strategic planning with a focus on response activities and plans needed to provide continuity of services.

• Establishes policies, procedures, and systems to plan and prepare for all-hazard response and recovery activities for emergencies.

• Develops, implements, and monitors the Incident Command System and Emergency Response Plans, as required by and in consideration of Federal, State, and Local regulations and requirements.

• Serves as the department representative and coordinates with and through Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) on interactions with Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), and other agencies pertaining to overall emergency management activities.

• Coordinates and collaborates with multiple stakeholders on interdepartmental and interagency issues, projects, and protocols.

• Develops, implements, and conducts training programs, seminars, and disaster exercises with a focus on system emergency events including natural hazards, operational risks, and malicious acts.

• Establishes community outreach programs and coordinates with community leaders on emergency management initiatives, preparedness activities, and incident responses.

• Coordinates post-emergency after-action reviews and makes recommendations for corrective action.

• Provides situational awareness of emergency management activities and makes presentations to leadership.

• Oversees emergency and incident notification and communication systems, formal after-action and corrective action plans and recommendation tracking, and emergency management and situational awareness systems.

• Ensures operational readiness and program effectiveness by monitoring and evaluating program performance measures and implementing improvement strategies. Ensures operational readiness of various communication systems.

• Prepares and administers the annual budget and associated financial reports and identifies budgetary needs.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for discharge.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of industry and City practices, policies, procedures, and trends.

• Knowledge of regulatory processes and rules impacting the City.

• Knowledge and understanding of facilities and critical infrastructure operations

• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles, and ability to coach and develop staff.

• Knowledge of the Incident Command System and emergency response planning.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances related to emergency response.

• Skill in strategic planning and budgeting.

• Skill in oral and written communication, and in delivering presentations to a group.

• Skill in planning, coordinating, and implementing programs and activities.

• Skill in interpreting, organizing, coordinating, and executing assignments, projects, and programs.

• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.

• Skill in handling extremely intense and chaotic emergency situations, conflict, and uncertainty.

• Skill in facilitating cooperative group decision making among diverse organizations and individuals serving on planning committees.

• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees, City management, policymakers, and the public.

• Ability to exercise good judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all dealings and maintain confidentiality as required.

• Ability to understand and explain complex issues to stakeholders and to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees, community leaders, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Public Administration, Business Management, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, or a related field, plus five (5) years of experience in emergency management or planning, including two (2) years of experience which were in a supervisory or management capacity.

• Experience in Homeland Security/Emergency Management may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.

• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a Government, Management, or Emergency Management may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid Class “C” Texas Driver License.

• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) or Certified Texas Emergency Manager (TEM) by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM); or the ability to acquire certification within two (2) years of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong problem-solving, decision making, and organization skills with the ability to prioritize tasks in an environment with frequent interruptions and under intense pressure

• Successful completion of National Incident Management System training (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800)

• Experience facilitating multi-agency meetings, workshops and trainings for all levels

• Senior level leadership experience including experience providing oversight during emergencies

• Strategic planning experience; experience establishing short, medium, and long-term work plans/tasks to meet operational & strategic objectives

Notes to Candidate:

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

Please learn more about our department and how we serve our community: What does the Watershed Protection Department do?

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Emergency Management Program Manager will lead and coordinate department-wide preparedness, response, and recovery activities for flood, erosion, and water quality emergencies. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining emergency plans, strengthening collaboration with internal and regional partners, ensuring regulatory compliance, supporting staff training and readiness, and enhancing the department’s capacity to protect residents, infrastructure, and natural resources during critical events.

LOCATION:
505 Barton Springs Road,
Austin, Texas 78704

SALARY RANGE:
Min: $80,490.00 - Mid $102,200.00, depending on qualifications and experience.

DAYS AND HOURS:

8:0 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday with the ability for a 50% telework schedule within a two-week period after initial training period. Exceptions may apply subject to the business needs of the department.

ASSESSMENTS:
The candidate selected to interview is subject to pre-employment screening assessments to evaluate skill levels and competencies required for this position.

EDUCATION:
Education verification will be conducted on the top candidate.

ESSENTIAL STATUS:

This position has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a city-designated extraordinary situation or emergency condition, essential employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees, as well as ensure the continuity of essential operations. Essential Employees may be called back in during such events, required to modify their schedule, assigned to a City-designated work site, or retained on-site to assist with operations and recovery.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:
This position requires a valid Class C Texas Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin's Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Job Offer is contingent on having a driving record that meets the City's Driver Record Evaluation Standards.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:
Job Offer is contingent on passing a Criminal Background Investigation.

BENEFITS:
Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please clickherefor more information.

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer— as we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call [phone] or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.