Emergency Operations Lead (Section Chief)

City of Baltimore; Ellicott City (MD); On-site; USD 67,687 - 116,360; Part time

Job summary

Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management is seeking an Operations Section Chief for a non‑benefit, contractual position. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least three years of experience in emergency management or related areas.

Responsibilities include supervising the Duty Officer Program, coordinating with responders, and providing training and incident response support across City agencies. Advanced degrees and leadership experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public policy, political science, public health, emergency management, planning, or a related field.
• At least three years of internship-level or professional experience in public policy and administration, public safety, emergency management, or another relevant area.
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Work rotating shifts, including weekends, evenings, and holidays in an office and at scenes of accidents, disasters, or other hazardous situations, as needs dictate.
• Supervise the Duty Officer Program, ensuring full staffing of on‑call shifts, smooth shift transitions, and professional discipline.
• Train OEM and other staff in hazardous materials identification, handling, abatement, disposal procedures, equipment use, disaster protocols, and emergency management response techniques.
• Receive notifications of impending emergency weather warnings and take preparatory actions.
• Respond to major man‑made or natural incidents involving mass disasters or hazardous materials; assist fire, medical staff, and agencies with triage, transportation, and evacuation plans.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with fire suppression, emergency medical, and other public and private responders at accident and disaster sites.
• Ensure decontamination of vehicles, equipment, and personnel to eliminate communicable diseases, pest infestation, and hazardous materials.
• Review and edit emergency management reports for accuracy, omissions, errors, or problems.
• Investigate citizen complaints, commendations, and accidents involving OEM personnel; document findings and determine accountability.
• Oversee and maintain OEM’s radio communications technology, training, and equipment.
• Advise Deputy Directors and Director on unit/program operations concerns.
• Provide media information on the scene of an emergency or disaster in accordance with public information and privacy guidelines.
• Notify families of injured personnel and coordinate transportation to or from hospitals.
• Work with the Preparedness Section Chief on community outreach projects and programs.
• Maintain awareness of new technology, CBRNE material developments, and governmental emergency management strategies, techniques, laws, and policies.
• Manage Auxiliary Communications Services (RACES).
• Liaison for Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR) and priority list management.
• Provide Incident Command System (ICS) training for other City agencies, such as Baltimore Police Department.
• Work with the Training and Exercise Section Chief to develop a multi‑year training and exercise schedule.
• Attend Urban Area Working Group subcommittee meetings, including Special Operations, Hazmat, and Training & Exercise subcommittees.
• Liaison between OEM, BPD, DHS, MCAC, MJOC, and others.
• Develop and maintain operations section standard operating procedures with assistance from the Planning Section Chief.
• Coordinate with the emergency alert system and serve as an Emergency Management Assistant Compact (EMAC) point of contact.
• Ensure EOC location opens when needed; manage, maintain, and operate the EOC.
• Other duties as required.
• Additional tasks include: 24/7 on‑call Duty Officer program, as needed.
• Field response and staffing of the City’s Emergency Operations Center, staging area, or other operational commands outside normal business hours during emergencies or special events.

Skills

Public administration

Public policy

Emergency management

Planning

Analytical skills

Written and oral communication

Staff supervision

Project management

Public safety

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration/public policy/political science/public health/emergency management/planning

Advanced degree

Job description

Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management is seeking an Operations Section Chief for a non‑benefit, contractual position. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least three years of experience in emergency management or related areas.

Responsibilities include supervising the Duty Officer Program, coordinating with responders, and providing training and incident response support across City agencies. Advanced degrees and leadership experience are preferred.