Senior Emergency Manager of Preparedness & Recovery

Job Description:

Senior Emergency Manager of Preparedness & Recovery

Description

Description

The Senior Emergency Manager of Preparedness and Recovery is a leadership position responsible for directing the County’s preparedness, planning, and training initiatives in support of the Emergency Management Department’s mission to build a safe, resilient, and disaster-ready community. The position oversees the professional staff within the Emergency Management Specialist series and ensures effective coordination of emergency plans, training, exercises, and community engagement programs across all jurisdictions and operational partners.

The employee serves as an advisor to the Emergency Management Director and Deputy Director on preparedness and planning matters, represents the County in regional and state emergency management initiatives, and ensures compliance with federal and state emergency management standards. This management position requires considerable initiative, professional judgment, and leadership. The Senior Emergency Manager of Preparedness and Recovery manages complex countywide emergency management programs, exercises broad discretion, and supervises technical and professional personnel.

HIRING RATE: $63,731 - $83,449 (Estimated Annual Salary)

OPEN UNTIL FILLED - APPLICATION REVIEW BEGINS IMMEDIATELY

Duties and Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Order of Essential Functions does not indicate importance of functions.)

Leadership and Division Management:

• Provide strategic and operational direction to the Emergency Preparedness Division, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and emergency management mission areas.
• Assist the Director and Deputy Director in planning, organizing, and directing all Emergency Management Department activities and their execution
• Lead and supervise division staff, assigning work, providing coaching and feedback, and empowering subordinates to develop independent program areas.
• Support strategic decision-making, project prioritization, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Develops and implements programs to improve collaboration and efficiency.

Emergency Planning:

• Oversee the routine coordination, collaboration, and facilitation of multiple, complex planning processes and meetings with a variety of emergency management partners from concept development through plan implementation.
• Supervise the development and update the County’s Emergency Operations Plan, functional, and hazard specific annexes.
• Supervise the development and maintenance of the County’s Emergency Shelter Plan.
• Supervise annual plan reviews and updates and stakeholder engagement.
• Supervise the development of all-hazard plans, Incident Action Plans (IAPs), procedures, checklists, and job aids.
• Manage the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) ensuring standards compliance and reporting.

Operational Readiness:

• Deploy to emergency sites to help provide critical services to the public, businesses, and visitors including emergency shelters, point of distribution (PODs), staging areas, disaster supply warehouse, disaster recovery centers, and other support centers.
• Serve as a key member of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Command and General Staff positions team during activations.
• Assist in the delivery of emergency supplies and equipment to emergency sites.
• Conduct damage assessments, post disaster canvassing, donations and volunteer management, and other emergency functions as assigned.
• Assist in other areas of the department to include the Readiness division.
• Deploy in state under the State Mutual Aid Agreement
• Deploy out of state under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)

Resource Management:

• Manage resources effectively, including personnel, equipment, and budget, to ensure efficient emergency preparedness operations.
• Develop and implement tools to assist with management of tasks.

Training and Development:

• Develop and implement training programs for emergency preparedness personnel to enhance their skills and readiness.
• Encourage growth through professional development.
• Provide mentorship to department leadership and professional staff, promoting a culture of teamwork, innovation, and professional growth.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

• Oversee the development vulnerability and consequence assessments to identify and evaluate risks to critical infrastructure, outline mitigation strategies for both physical and cyber threats.
• Supervise the development of the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and the Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Performance Monitoring:

• Establish and/or implement performance metrics and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of emergency preparedness activities.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and standards related to emergency management programs and grants.

Collaboration and Community Outreach:

• Enhance awareness and preparedness among citizens and visitors by developing and conducting preparedness presentations for vulnerable populations, neighborhood organizations, civic groups, and private and public organizations.
• Oversee in the development, design, and writing of articles, news releases, flyers, and newsletters to promote emergency preparedness; assist in maintaining and updating communications including, email lists, social media, website, and other external communications.
• Perform other duties or assume other responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Political Science, or related field.
• 8 years or more of experience of progressively responsible emergency management or public safety, including leadership or supervisory roles.
• Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time experience in a public safety related field or military service may be substituted for the required education, on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of four years.
• Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional graduate coursework in a related subject may be substituted for the required experience for a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years, there being no substitution for the one year of full-time supervisory OR coordination work.

Completion of the following FEMA trainings:

FEMA Professional Development Series

• FEMA Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
• FEMA ICS 300 and 400
• FEMA IS-251 Integrated Public Alert and Warning System for Alerting Administrators
• Must be proficient in Microsoft 365
• Applied use of standard EOC technology tools and mass notification systems

The following certifications must be earned within two years of employment:

• FEMA Advanced Academy
• Clean criminal background and driving record.
• Must possess a valid SC Drivers License (or obtain within three (3) months of hire) and meet the requirements of the County’s motor vehicle policy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate
• Valid SC Class E driver’s license (or have the availability to obtain).
• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), International Association of Emergency Management (IAEM)
• FEMA Advanced Professional Series
• FEMA Master Exercise Practitioner Program (MEPP)
• FEMA EOC position specific certifications

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to function productively in a standard office environment accessing cabinets, shelving, work areas, and office equipment.
• Able to operate as needed in an unconditioned warehouse with associated hazards.
• Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from co-workers, leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to fifty (50) pounds occasionally. Ability to traverse over uneven ground as needed.
• Able to deploy through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) for up to 21 days in disaster environments to EOC or incident sites.
• Able to sit or stand for long periods of time and to maintain focus on work assignment(s).
• Able to effectively communicate orally (in person and over the telephone) and in writing (electronically and handwritten) in English.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Climate controlled office with hazards typical to that environment. Some time spent in warehouse.
• Standard work hours would be Monday - Friday between the hours of 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM with additional hours including nights, weekends, and holidays as determined by the supervisor. Some telework available within department policy.
• Will be required to report to work during hazardous weather and other emergency conditions after hours including nights, weekends, and holidays in accordance with Charleston County Personnel Procedures.
• Will serve as an On-Call Duty Officer on a rotating basis.
• Must reside within forty (40) miles of 8500 Palmetto Commerce Pkwy, North Charleston within six (6) months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Ability to build and sustain strong relationships across federal, state, local, NGO, and business partners.
• Demonstrate the ability solve complex problems with imperfect information.
• Adapt to dynamic, high-pressure environments, exercise emotional intelligence by maintaining focus and clarity during day-to-day operations and emergencies.
• Communicate effectively with leadership, staff, and the public with professionalism and composure.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking by anticipating needs and identifying cascading impacts across systems before they occur.
• Uphold the County’s standards of integrity, inclusivity, and service excellence.

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
• Leadership, Professional and Skill Development Training
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Well-being Program

For more information, visit our benefits page.

Salary:

$63,731.00 - $83,449.00 Annually