Director of Emergency Services; Appointed

## Director of Emergency Services (Appointed/FT/Benefits)
Apply:
Forest Hill, MD:
Full time:
Posted 2 Days Ago:
End Date:
December 17, 2026 (30+ days left to apply):
JR000441

Job Description

Summary:

The Director of Emergency Services provides oversight of the Department of Emergency Services, pursuant to Harford County Code § 16-28, to include the 9-1-1 Center, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Special Operations and Hazardous Materials Response, Technical Rescue, Radio Technology and Interoperability, Education and Training. This position ensures that public safety services for Harford County Government are delivered effectively, and the life, health and safety of County residents is the utmost priority.
The Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, directing, and evaluating County emergency service programs and resources supporting emergency medical services, emergency communications and 9-1-1, emergency management, preparedness, response, recovery, special operations, training, technical services, and related public safety functions. The Director is responsible for the overall administration of the Department, including personnel, budget, facilities, equipment, technology, contracts, grants, and strategic planning.

The Director promotes data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, accountability, operational readiness, and effective stewardship of public resources.
The Director serves as a principal advisor to the County Executive and County leadership on emergency services policy, system capacity, operational readiness, emerging threats, resource requirements, and long-range public safety needs. The Director serves as the highest-ranking jurisdictional official having oversight of the County's public safety emergency services, career-based EMS system, and emergency communications framework. As mandated by law, emergency services under this department’s purview explicitly exclude law enforcement agencies.

This position also serves as the key liaison to the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.
The Director serves as the County's senior emergency management official providing executive coordination during significant emergencies, disasters, and other events requiring countywide or multi-agency response. The Director coordinates the use of County resources and works collaboratively with volunteer fire and EMS organizations, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, healthcare organizations, regional partners, State and Federal agencies, and other public and private organizations.

The Director shall have comprehensive knowledge of fire prevention and suppression, rescue services, emergency medical services, communications and other aspects of public safety. The Director serves as a principal policy advisor to the County Executive on emergency services system capacity, operational readiness, and long-range public safety needs. The Director is a Cabinet level, term-appointed position.
The Director must be a resident of Harford County, Maryland.
Harford County Government is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

Job Description:

** SALARY RANGE: $ - $
**** ESSENTIAL DUTIES*
* ** Executive Leadership and Department Administration*
* * Establishes department-wide goals, priorities, service standards, performance expectations, and long-range strategies consistent with County priorities.
* Advises the County Executive, Director of Administration, County Council, and other County officials on emergency services operations, policies, resource requirements, emerging risks, and system needs.
* Represents the Department and County on matters involving emergency services before public officials, boards, commissions, community organizations, professional associations, and other stakeholders.  
** Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System*
* * Serves as the County's EMS Operational Authority and ensures the County EMS system operates in accordance with applicable State and local laws, regulations, standards, and policies.
* Works collaboratively with the County Medical Director, Volunteer Fire and EMS Association, hospitals, and other healthcare partners to promote…