Director/Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Job Description:

Director/Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Description

Description

About Charleston County EMS
Charleston County EMS is a high-performance, rapidly growing agency dedicated to providing top-tier emergency medical services to a diverse population of approximately 421,000 residents. Operating independently from fire departments while closely collaborating with other public safety agencies, Charleston County EMS ensures seamless emergency response and exceptional patient care. With a $30 million budget and a team of 281 dedicated professionals, we are committed to excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement in emergency medical services.

The Opportunity
We are seeking a visionary, results-driven leader to serve as the Director/Chief of EMS. This individual will be responsible for leading Charleston County EMS into the future by fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in emergency medical services leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence. This is an opportunity to unify teams, elevate service delivery, and drive transformative change within a high-performing agency.

OPEN UNTIL FILLED-REVIEW BEGINS IMMEDIATELY

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Lead with Vision: Set clear expectations, inspire excellence, and build a high-performance culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement long-term strategies to enhance service delivery, workforce development, and operational efficiency.
• Team Building: Unify a diverse workforce by fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that bridges generational gaps and encourages professional growth.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee daily EMS operations, ensuring compliance with national and regional standards and best practices.
• Accreditation & Compliance: Lead the agency through the accreditation and reaccreditation processes, maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
• Training & Development: Drive professional development initiatives to ensure EMS personnel are at the forefront of emergency medical advancements.
• Financial Stewardship: Oversee budget planning and resource allocation to maximize efficiency while maintaining top-tier service levels. (Responsible for managing a $34 million budget, including a $25 million operating budget, reimbursements, and capital management.)
• Community Engagement: Strengthen relationships with hospitals, law enforcement, fire departments, and other emergency service agencies to enhance interagency collaboration.
• Advocacy & Public Safety Awareness: Represent Charleston County EMS at local, state, and national levels to advocate for policies and initiatives that benefit the agency and the community.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, healthcare administration, or public safety related field and 15 years or experience and 5+ years of executive leadership experience in Emergency Medical Services.

OR

• Master’s degree in public administration, healthcare administration or public safety related field and 5 years or more of executive leadership experience in Emergency Medical Services with 10 overall years in EMS or public safety.

• Strong background in strategic planning, crisis management, and operational oversight.
• Experience developing and implementing workforce retention, recruitment, and mental health programs.
• Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams.
• Financial acumen with experience managing large budgets and optimizing resources.
• Must have a basic understanding of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
• Must have knowledge and understanding of Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement processes.
• Extensive knowledge of EMS compliance, best practices, and government procurement processes.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure as a Paramedic in South Carolina.
• Required Certifications: NREMT-P and South Carolina Paramedic License (or eligibility for reciprocity), EVOC, ACLS, PALS, and BLS.
• Preferred Certifications: NIMS ICS-100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 (must be obtained within 12 months).
  
• Possession of a valid State Driver’s License with a clean DMV record.
• Clean criminal background.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

What We’re Looking For

• A decisive, strategic leader with a strong track record of managing complex EMS operations.
• A transformational leader who can drive meaningful cultural change and foster a positive, forward-thinking work environment.
• A problem-solver who thrives in high-pressure situations and makes sound decisions under critical circumstances.
• An exceptional communicator capable of engaging with personnel at all levels, community stakeholders, and government officials.

Why Charleston County EMS?
This is a rare opportunity to lead a dynamic, growing EMS agency and make a lasting impact on emergency medical services in Charleston County. We are seeking a leader who is ready to elevate our team, enhance patient care, and drive innovation. If you are passionate about cultural transformation, operational excellence, and fostering an environment where employees feel valued and empowered, we invite you to apply.
Are you ready to lead and transform EMS in Charleston County? Apply today!

Charleston County offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, including but not limited to:

• Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• Optional Life and Disability Insurance
• Optional Medical and Dependent Care Spending Accounts
• Annual and Sick Leave
• Fourteen (14) recognized Holidays
• South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) State Retirement Plan
• Police Officers Retirement System (PORS - as applicable)
• Optional Deferred Compensation Program
• Longevity and Merit Pay Increases
• Optional Federal Credit Union Membership
• Leadership, Professional and Skill Development Training
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Well-being Program

For more information, visit our benefits page.

Salary:

$138,613.28 - $181,557.64 Annually