Emergency Management Director

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The Emergency Management Directoris responsible forplanning, coordinating, and directing all emergency management activities within the countyin accordance with South Dakota law, county policy, and guidance from the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management (SD OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The EMD leads preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts to protect life, property, and the environment before, during, and after disasters or emergencies.

This position serves as the county’s primary liaison to local, state, federal, tribal, private-sector, and nonprofit partners for emergency management matters and advises the County Commission and county officials on emergency readiness and incident management.

Reports To

County Commission

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and regularly update the Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) and associated annexes, ensuring compliance with South Dakota statutes, SD OEM guidance, and FEMA standards.
• Coordinate hazard identification and risk assessments, including threat and hazard identification and risk assessment (THIRA)–related activities as applicable.
• Develop and maintain emergency procedures for natural disasters, technological incidents, public health emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and acts of terrorism.
• Coordinate and support continuity of operations (COOP) and continuity of government (COG) planning for county departments and critical partners.

Training, Exercises & Public Education

• Plan, coordinate, and conduct training and exercises for county departments, first responders, elected officials, and partner agencies.
• Support and promote National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance, including training, credentialing, and documentation.
• Provide emergency preparedness education and outreach to the public, schools, businesses, and community organizations.

Emergency Response & Coordination

• Serve as the county’s emergency management lead during incidents, disasters, and emergencies.
• Activate and manage the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) when required and coordinate multi-agency response activities.
• Provide situational awareness, incident coordination, and resource management support to local response agencies.
• Coordinate mutual aid and assistance requests through SD OEM.
• Support incident command as appropriate without assuming command of on-scene operations unless authorized by the AHJ.
• Coordinate disaster recovery operations, including damage assessments, documentation, and reporting.
• Serve as the county lead for state and federal disaster assistance programs, including FEMA Public Assistance and Individual Assistance coordination, when authorized.
• Manage mitigation planning and projects aimed at reducing long-term risk to people and property.
• Coordinate with county departments and partners to ensure compliance with grant and program requirements.

Grants & Administration

• Identify, apply for, manage, and administer emergency management–related grants and funding opportunities for all agencies.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, reporting, audits, and record retention.
• Develop and manage the emergency management budget, subject to County Commission approval.
• Prepare reports, briefings, and recommendations for the County Commission and county leadership.

Interagency & Community Coordination

• Maintain effective working relationships with local fire departments, law enforcement, EMS, public health, public works, school districts, utilities, hospitals, and volunteer organizations.
• Serve as liaison to SD OEM, neighboring counties, tribal governments, and federal agencies.
• Participate in regional and state emergency management meetings, committees, and planning efforts.

Authority & Responsibility

• Acts as the county’s designated emergency management official as recognized by SD OEM.
• Authorized to coordinate county emergency management activities and…