Assistant Emergency Management Director

Emergency Management Assistant

Position Summary Assists with all phases of emergency management including mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, training, exercises, public education, and continuity planning for natural, technological, and human-caused incidents. Works closely with local, state, federal, nonprofit, school, healthcare, private-sector, and public safety partners to enhance countywide preparedness and resilience.

Qualifications & Skills:

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Criminal Justice, Fire Science, Public Safety Administration, or a related field preferred. Associate Degree in related field with significant relevant emergency management or public safety experience may be considered at the sole discretion of the Emergency Management Director.

Experience:

Preferred candidate will have one to three years of experience and responsibility in: emergency management, emergency communications, emergency response, and emergency operation center (EOC) management, disaster preparedness, incident coordination, or public safety coordination. Experience should include involvement in emergency planning, incident management, training and exercises, continuity planning, public warning and notification, hazard mitigation, grant administration, or multi-agency emergency preparedness activities. Experience with in a governmental emergency management or public safety organization is strongly preferred.

Other Requirements:
Valid Michigan Drivers's License. Ability to successfully complete and obtain certifications in FEMA/NIMS ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800 within established time frames. Professional Emergency Manager (PEM) certification preferred or ability to obtain within three years. First Aid/CPR certification preferred. Ability to interact professionally, constructively, and diplomatically with top level administrators, other employees, representatives of the business community and other governmental units and the general public, both orally and in writing.

Must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential duties of the position. Ability to respond to emergencies or service needs on a 24-hour basis.

Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Emergency Management Director, the Assistant Emergency Management Director assists with the planning, coordination, implementation, and administration of countywide emergency management and homeland security programs for Jackson County in accordance with Michigan Public Act 390 of 1976, as amended. The position may serve as the acting Emergency Management Director in their absence and requires availability for emergency response activities outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Assist with coordination of emergency and disaster response operations through the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
• Assist with ensuring emergency management programs, plans, training activities, and grant-funded initiatives remain compliant with applicable federal, state, local, and regulatory requirements, including FEMA, MSP/EMHSD, DHS, and HSEEP standards.
• Respond to emergencies, disasters, severe weather events, hazardous materials incidents, public health emergencies, and other incidents requiring emergency management coordination.
• Serve in Incident Command System (ICS) or Unified Command roles during emergencies, exercises, and planned events.
• Assist with the preparation of emergency declarations, situation reports, executive briefings, policy recommendations, and coordination with County leadership, elected officials, and external governmental agencies during emergency incidents.
• Assist with emergency notifications, warning systems, public alerting, and public information dissemination.
• Coordinate situational awareness, damage assessment, resource tracking, and incident documentation during emergency activations.
• Maintain operational readiness of the Emergency Operations Center, communications systems, and emergency management equipment.
• Assist with continuity of operations and continuity of government…