Emergency Preparedness Manager

The Emergency Preparedness Manager - Community Outreach and Engagement is responsible for planning, developing, managing, and evaluating CEMA's community outreach, public preparedness, volunteer engagement, and community partnership programs. The position is responsible for developing and sustaining relationships with residents, businesses, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, volunteer groups, and government partners to strengthen countywide preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.

This position manages CEMA's community outreach program while supporting public information initiatives, emergency planning, and operational readiness. Public information responsibilities include managing CEMA's digital presence, assisting with media relations, and developing public education campaigns in coordination with the Director.

The Emergency Preparedness Manager is a fully capable Emergency Management professional who participates in emergency planning, training, exercises, and disaster operations. The incumbent serves as a member of CEMA's Duty Officer Program and is expected to support Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, field operations, and other emergency management assignments before, during, and after disasters.

The Manager exercises considerable independent judgement in administering assigned programs and recommending improvements that strengthen community preparedness and organizational resilience.

Community Outreach and Public Engagement (Primary Focus)

* Serve as CEMA's liaison to residents, neighborhood associations, businesses, schools, civic organizations, and community groups.

* Develop, manage, and evaluate public preparedness and community outreach programs.

* Plan and staff preparedness expos, workshops, public meetings, and educational events.

* Develop and deliver presentations promoting disaster preparedness, evacuation planning, severe weather safety, and other emergency management initiatives.

* Promote preparedness among vulnerable, underserved, and hard-to-reach populations.

* Develop annual outreach objectives and evaluate program effectiveness.

* Represent CEMA and the Director at community meetings, conferences, and public events.

* Gather community feedback and identify opportunities to improve preparedness programs.

* Develop performance measures, monitor program effectiveness, and prepare reports recommending improvements to assigned program areas.

Public Information and Digital Communications (Primary Focus)

* Manage CEMA's social media platforms and maintain a consistent public presence.

* Oversee website content updates in partnership with Chatham County Information Communications Systems (ICS) Department and the Chatham County Public Information Office.

* Develop newsletters, brochures, preparedness guides, presentations, and other educational materials.

* Develop public information materials and support the Director in media relations, public messaging and crisis communications.

* Develop graphics, photography, video, and other multimedia supporting outreach and preparedness initiatives.

* Monitor social media during emergency incidents and coordinate messaging with the Director to promote timely, accurate, and consistent public information.

Nonprofit, Faith-Based, and Community Partner Coordination

* Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with nonprofit organizations, volunteer organizations, faith-based organizations, private-sector partners, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and government agencies.

* Lead CEMA's participation in community preparedness initiatives and collaborative partnerships.

* Support and coordinate activities associated with the Disaster Faith Network.

* Promote communication and coordination among community partners before, during, and after disasters.

* Represent CEMA and the Director at regional meetings, work groups, and stakeholder forums.

* Identify opportunities to strengthen community partnerships and improve disaster resilience.

Volunteer Program Management

* Develop, manage and continuously improve CEMA's volunteer management program, including recruitment, training, credentialing, deployment and retention.

* Maintain volunteer records, certifications, and deployment readiness.

* Lead volunteer participation during outreach events, exercises, and emergency operations.

* Establish volunteer recognition and retention initiatives.

* Direct the management of spontaneous and unaffiliated volunteers during disasters.

* Develop procedures to ensure volunteers are trained, equipped, and prepared to support emergency operations safely and effectively.

* Integrate volunteer resources into emergency planning and preparedness initiatives.

Emergency Planning and Program Support

* Lead assigned planning efforts related to program initiatives.

* Integrate volunteer resources and community partners into emergency plans.

* Develop and support training, exercises, after-action reviews, and…