Emergency Manager

Buffalo State University; South Dakota; On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo State University is seeking an Emergency Manager to lead campus-wide emergency planning and incident management within the University Police Department. The role focuses on prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery across the university.

Responsibilities include directing the Emergency Operations Center, developing the all-hazards program, conducting risk assessments, and coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Public Administration, or closely related field.
• 3+ years of emergency/incident management, public safety, or higher education public safety experience.
• Knowledge of general fire, police, EMS and incident management principles.
• Experience developing or supporting COOP or business continuity planning programs.
• Experience designing, conducting, or evaluating ICS/NIMS-based exercises.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead campus-wide emergency planning and incident management efforts with University Police and campus leadership.
• Activate and manage the Emergency Operations Center during incidents and planned events.
• Develop and maintain the university's all-hazards emergency management program and COOP framework.
• Conduct risk assessments, identify hazards, and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate preparedness education and awareness initiatives across campus.
• Oversee CERT programs and maintain emergency resource inventories and mutual aid agreements.

Skills

Emergency Management

Public Safety

Incident Management

Communication Skills

Project Management

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Opportunities at Buffalo State University

Buffalo State is one of the largest comprehensive schools in the State University of New York system. As a civically minded, urban‑engaged campus community located in the city’s cultural corridor, Buffalo State prides itself as having smaller learning environments coupled with larger university opportunities. Boasting a diverse and inclusive campus, Buffalo State is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The school’s mission is to deliver a broad array of high-quality and distinctive academic programs infused with diversity, creativity, and hands‑on learning opportunities for hardworking students who seek a personalized and affordable education that engages their minds and advances their careers. Buffalo State is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment. With degree programs in education, the arts, science, arts and humanities, and professional studies, each year over 6,000 students choose Buffalo State. Buffalo State welcomes applicants who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission.

Faculty/Professional

Faculty/Professional Professional

Department

Department University Police

Local Title

Local Title Emergency Manager

Budget Title

Budget Title Staff Associate

Rank

Line Number

Line Number 28920

Salary Range

$75,000-$85,000

FTE

Full-Time

Bargaining Unit

UUP

PRODiG+ Position

No

Executive Position

No

FLSA

Exempt

Department Website

Brief Job Description

The Emergency Manager is responsible for promoting a culture of preparedness and resiliency within the University through prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The emergency manager is responsible for the day‑to‑day implementation of the University’s emergency preparedness programs and initiatives, including continual campus risk assessment and facilitation. The Emergency Manager will direct campus‑wide incident / emergency planning and business continuity planning including the strategic planning, development and revision of incident / emergency preparedness, disaster recovery and business continuity documentation and policies, and the implementation and training of faculty and staff with such policies. This position serves as the front‑line representative of emergency management to the University community and reports to the Chief of University Police.

The position assists with Clery Act compliance, threat assessment, incident management, and policy and procedure development initiatives designed to support a safe and secure educational environment across Buffalo State University’s buildings and grounds.
Duties will include but not be limited to:

Emergency Planning, Compliance, and Continuity Programs

Serve in a leadership role during emergencies and significant incidents by coordinating response and recovery operations with University Police, campus leadership, and local, state, and federal agencies.

Activate, manage, and support the Emergency Operations Center ( EOC ) during emergencies, critical incidents, and planned events. Coordinate incident action planning, situational reporting, and recovery activities to support continuity of operations and restoration of services.

Develop, implement, maintain, and evaluate the University’s comprehensive all‑hazards emergency management program, including the Emergency Operations Plan ( EOP ), hazard‑specific annexes, emergency response procedures, continuity of operations plans ( COOP ), and recovery frameworks.

Conduct risk and vulnerability assessments, identify potential hazards, and recommend mitigation strategies to strengthen institutional resilience. Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, Clery Act requirements, SUNY policies, and recognized emergency management standards and best practices.

Develop and maintain emergency communications, emergency notification, and crisis management procedures to support timely and effective communication during incidents.

Campus Preparedness and Stakeholder Engagement

Partner with campus departments to develop, review, and maintain departmental emergency and continuity plans. Collaborate with senior leadership other stakeholders to integrate emergency preparedness into institutional operations.

Develop and maintain partnerships with local, county, state, and federal agencies, as well as community organizations, to support coordinated preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Training, Exercises, and Readiness Programs

Develop, coordinate, facilitate, and evaluate emergency preparedness training, drills, tabletop exercises, functional exercises, and full‑scale exercises for faculty, staff, students, and executive leadership.

Ensure exercises are developed and evaluated using Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program ( HSEEP ) principles and standards. Prepare corrective action plans and track improvement initiatives resulting from training, exercises, and incident responses.

Coordinate preparedness education and awareness initiatives that promote a culture of safety and resilience across campus.

Emergency Response Team and Resource Management

Coordinate and oversee preparedness programs including the Community Emergency Response Team ( CERT ) and designated emergency personnel.

Maintain emergency resource inventories, response rosters, mutual aid agreements, and operational readiness documentation. Assess resource requirements and coordinate with campus departments and external agencies to address preparedness and response capability gaps.

Special Notes: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Buffalo State University is not an E-Verify employer.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Advanced knowledge of OSHA , EPA , and DEC guidelines, laws and regulations, including understanding institutional incident, emergency management principles, procedures and standards.

Knowledge and thorough understanding of emergency response programs; of means of minimizing property damage and human discomfort once a disaster has occurred; of the principles and practices of program planning and project implementation; of the theory, principles, techniques and practices of disaster emergency organization and preparedness; of public administration principles and practices; of state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to disaster recovery and assistance; of training techniques; and of charting and report writing.

Knowledge of state, federal, military, and civilian emergency response resources; and of local community and agency concerns in emergency planning.

Ability to anticipate, identify, and resolve problems; exercise sound judgement; evaluate emergency situations and adopt effective courses of action; to analyze and communicate emergency response advice to local officials; to encourage local compliance with state and federal emergency response guidelines; to gather information from printed and other recorded sources; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to present ideas and facts clearly and concisely; to plan, coordinate and promote various programs; to encourage community cooperation with disaster planning and relief efforts; to develop practical plans and exercises; to test and evaluate response and recovery from natural hazards; to prepare and review complex reports; and to maintain order among groups in emergency situations.

Commitment to stay current and aware of trends in the business of emergency management, and; harness this knowledge to incorporate these on to all phases of the University’s emergency preparedness.

Commitment to demonstrate openness to different viewpoints and communicate in a manner which demonstrates sensitivity and respect for diverse backgrounds and individual lived experiences.

Ability to gain trust of colleagues, show respect for others, value diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, demonstrate honesty, integrity, high ethical and moral standards and hold others to the same expectations.

Ability to develop staff and possess flexible interpersonal styles to most effectively interact with, develop, and lead others in emergency awareness, planning, and execution.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

Must be an innovative self‑starter who can work independently to prioritize and complete projects with critical deadlines.

Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• At least three (3) years of experience in a emergency/incident management, public safety, law enforcement, higher education public safety.
• Knowledge of general fire, police, EMS and incident management principles.
• Experience developing or supporting continuity of operations ( COOP ) or business continuity planning programs.
• Experience designing, conducting, or evaluating discussion‑based and operations‑based exercises
• Strong written and oral communication skills including proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work on numerous projects within the same time frame and complete them within guidelines.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work with a diverse campus population and external agencies.
• Possess a valid New York State Driver’s License at time of appointment and maintain throughout employment.
• Complete and pass a police civilian background check.
• Ability to use hand‑held two‑way radios or other field communication devices.
• Must satisfactorily complete the National Incident Management System ( NIMS ) and Incident Command System (ICS)ICS -100, ICs -200, IS-700, and IS-800 courses within one year of employment. Completion of GS -300 is preferred to be completed.
• Requiring availability outside of normal business hours to support incident response, EOC activations, and campus emergencies. Consistent with the operational and response‑driven nature of emergency management functions, this position is designated as an on‑site obligation and is ineligible for regular remote or telecommuting arrangements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in a emergency/incident management, public safety, law enforcement, higher education public safety.
• Completion of New York State Crowd Manager training.
• Knowledge of Clery Act requirements and compliance standards.
• Experience in higher education public safety or emergency management.
• Certification as a Associate Emergency Manager ( AEM ) by the International Association of Emergency Managers ( IAEM ) and/or the New York Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, completed or in‑progress, required within four years of employment;
• Completion of the National Incident Management System ( NIMS ) Training Program and Incident Command System (ICS)ICS -300 is preferred.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that subscribes to all federal, state, and SUNY legal requirements and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status (Nondiscrimination Notice). Any violation of this policy should be reported to the Institutional Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office, Cleveland Hall 204, [phone]. Buffalo State is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Warnes at [e-mail] or call [phone].

Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report (ASR) for SUNY Buffalo State at http://police.buffalostate.edu. The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department at [phone].

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*)

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Buffalo State website
  • Buffalo News
  • Buffalo Rocket
  • Challenger
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • HigherEdJobs
  • Panorama Hispano News
  • Employee Referral
  • Other
• * All applicants are subject to a pre‑employment background investigation. The college's Pre‑Employment Background Screening Policy is available at http://hr.buffalostate.edu/pre‑employment‑background‑screening. Prior to an offer of employment, an applicant will be required to sign an authorization release form, allowing Buffalo State to conduct a background investigation. Failure of an applicant to sign the authorization release form will disqualify an applicant from further consideration for appointment.
  • I agree to comply with the college's policy.
  • I do not agree to comply with the college's policy. (Note, this selection will disqualify you from further consideration for appointment.)
• As valid NYS Driver's License is a requirement of the position, you agree to enrollment in the New York State License Event Notification Service?
  • Yes
  • No
• Do you have at least three (3) years of experience in emergency/incident management, public safety, law enforcement, or higher education public safety?
  • Yes
  • No

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• Names and Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Optional Documents