Associate Director, Emergency Response And Recovery Operations; Dept. Of Emergency Management

Cook County Government is seeking an Associate Director, Emergency Response and Recovery to lead operational policy, procedure development, and day-to-day field operations. This role oversees the alignment of assets, programs, and personnel with the County’s emergency response activities, while supporting budget planning, grant management, and compliance. The Associate Director will work closely with leadership to ensure operational readiness, fiscal accountability, and the successful execution of emergency response and recovery initiatives.

Provide assistance with operational policy and procedure development activities while monitoring the day-to-day field operational requirements of the department. Oversee the alignment of operational assets, programs, and personnel with the department's response activities and administrative requirements. Support the planning of budgetary matters and grant management, and collaborate on the department's annual operating budget and monitor the department's quarterly expenses.

• Provide assistance with operational policy and procedure development activities, while monitoring day-to-day field operational requirements of the department.
• Coordinate operational assets, programs and personnel with operational response activities and administrative needs of the department.
• Support the planning of budgetary matters and grant management related to operational needs and collaborate on the development of the annual operating budget and monitoring of quarterly expenses for the department.
• Represent Cook County on various regional, state, and federal committees related to confidential Homeland Security, Public Safety and Emergency Management matters.
• Oversee the operational management of emergency notification and public alert services, providing critical information during emergencies and disasters, while coordinating with department staff and Cook County agencies to ensure active participation in emergency drills and exercises.
• Remain up-to-date on training standards, codes, and statutes affecting the department and Cook County while ensuring the confidentiality of materials and information.
• Develop, promote cooperation and assistance agreements and memorandums for various local and regional units of government and non-government organizations.

• Knowledge of FEMA/DHS National Interoperability requirements in relation to Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as well as expertise in state, county, and local communication plans and Emergency Operations Plans.
• Skill in interpreting and applying governmental directives while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive efforts and documents.
• Ability to work under extremely stressful situations and handle multiple tasks over an extended period of time.
• Ability to ascertain compliance with federal and state emergency preparedness laws, rules and regulations and explain compliance requirements to county and local officials.
• Possesses strong communication skills across verbal, written, and electronic formats, ensuring clarity and grammatical accuracy, along with proficiency in Microsoft Windows Operating systems.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership, insight, support, and direction to support the unit’s mission and goals.
• Ability to solve complex problems that have long-term impact or organization-wide function.
• Ability to implement plans and objectives, and oversee the efficiency and performance of specific processes and operations.
• Knowledge of radio policies, protocols, and procedures.
• Ability to travel to various work locations throughout the county.
• Ability to work 24/7, including holidays and weekends for emergency response, which includes serving as the Duty Officer and potentially deploying to emergency scenes, incident command posts, or emergency operations centers activated for local or countywide incidents.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher and
• Four (4) years of experience in emergency management, public safety administration, United States armed forces, or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree.
• Six (6) years of experience in emergency management, public safety administration, or the United States armed forces.
• Four (4) years of previous management or supervisory experience.
• Certificate of completion of Emergency Management certification in National Incident Management System coursework including ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800.

Sedentary work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.…