Summary:

This position performs complex professional and administrative work overseeing all emergency management operations, ensuring countywide preparedness, coordinated response, and effective recovery from natural and man-made disasters. The role is responsible for maintaining the County's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), directing disaster exercises and training, managing departmental resources and budgets, developing emergency policies and plans, and fostering strong partnerships with community agencies. Under the direction of the County Manager, this position supervises emergency management, fire marshal personnel, and other assigned staff to ensure an integrated and effective emergency readiness framework.

In accordance with N.C.G.S. 166A-19.3 and the North Carolina Emergency Management Act, the Emergency Management Director may be required to participate in or lead emergency response operations as directed by County leadership, the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, or the State Emergency Response Team (SERT).

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include:

1. Administrative & Management Duties
-Develops and maintains comprehensive emergency plans, policies, procedures, and protocols for natural and man-made disasters.
-Maintains the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to ensure County operations can continue during and after emergencies.
-Conducts risk and vulnerability assessments for all County physical assets and facilities.
-Prepares and maintains departmental files, records, and reports for compliance, documentation, and operational review.
-Provides direct supervision and leadership to all personnel assigned to emergency management, the fire marshal's office, and other designated staff.
-Investigates and responds to citizen complaints related to emergency management, fire safety, and associated County functions.
-Oversees the Emergency Operations Center during event activations for the duration of the emergency.
-Prepares, submits, and manages grants to support emergency management operations and initiatives.

2. Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery Duties
-Plans and prepares for natural and man-made disasters; develops and oversees County-wide response plans.
-Coordinates emergency capabilities and responsibilities across emergency communications, EMS, law enforcement, utility providers, and volunteer fire departments.
-Coordinates County personnel and volunteers for emergency operations; ensures all officials understand roles and responsibilities.
-Assists hospitals, industry partners, schools, and special-needs facilities with emergency planning and response activities.
-Maintains the County's system of emergency shelters, including appropriate stockpiles of essential supplies.
-Develops and conducts disaster and emergency response, mitigation, and recovery exercises; recommends modifications as needed.
-Prepares and administers annual tabletop exercises for County personnel and external partners.
-Develops and delivers public education programs on emergency preparedness and response.
-Responds to fire, medical, and other calls for service within scope of training and assignment.
-Manages resources, equipment, and supplies necessary for preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery activities.

3. Fire Services Related Duties
-Serves as liaison for the Firefighter's Association and Rural Fire Commission.
-Assists fire departments in developing training programs, purchasing and inspecting fire equipment, and maintaining readiness.
-Prepares bills for inspections, collects fees, maintains fire reports from volunteer fire departments, and maintains accurate fire district maps and descriptions.

4. Fiscal Duties
-Prepares and oversees the annual Emergency Management departmental budget, including operations, equipment, and personnel needs.
-Assists in development and monitoring of fire department and Rural Fire Commission budgets for submission to the Board of County Commissioners.
-Ensures compliance with County purchasing and financial policies in all departmental transactions.
-Ensures an appropriate equipment and vehicle replacement schedule is developed, maintained, and adhered to.

5. Interagency & Community Coordination
-Acts as liaison with local, state, and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, utility providers, and other community partners.
-Coordinates with emergency response agencies to develop individualized response plans.
-Maintains communication and readiness relationships with hospitals, schools, industries, and special-needs facilities.
-Coordinates public outreach and education efforts related to emergency management and disaster preparedness.

The responsibilities and duties outlined above are intended to provide a general outline and summary of this position's role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive and/or comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed, with or without notice, to meet the needs of the department and County.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervisors and managers serve a critical role in ensuring operational efficiency, team productivity, and organizational success through subordinate staff in the Emergency Management Department. Key areas of responsibilities include but are not limited to: Team Management, Performance Monitoring & Feedback, Training & Development, Recruitment & Hiring, Onboarding, Termination & Disciplinary Actions, Compliance & Policy Adherence, Problem Solving & Communication, and Workforce Planning & Delegation.

Education & Experience:

Associate degree in Emergency Management, Fire Science or related field is required with:
-Two (2) years of supervisory experience and;
-Six (6) years of experience in emergency management.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered, where three (3) years of relevant experience may substitute for one (1) year of formal education.
-A Bachelor's degree in emergency management, Fire Science or related field is preferred but not required for this role.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

-Thorough knowledge of emergency management practices, protocols, terminology, operations and fundamentals
-Thorough knowledge of related industry, organization, and department policies, best practices, ordinances, and laws
-Thorough knowledge of the geography of the County
-Thorough knowledge of FEMA NIMS and North Carolina Department of Emergency Management (NCEM) best practices and protocols
-Thorough knowledge of radio and telephone communications systems, their operations and implementations into emergency services
-Ability to understand and carry out oral, written directions, and prepare clear concise written reports
-Ability to interpret and enforce rules and regulations firmly, tactfully and impartially
-Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public
-Exceptional interpersonal skills, including active listening and persuasive communication, to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all organizational levels and effectively lead cross-functional teams
-Initiative and independent judgment are required
-Ability to recognize existing and potential fire hazards in a wide variety of structures and installations

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
-Frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force
-Regularly requires walking, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel
-Frequently requires sitting and occasionally requires standing, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions
-Vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly
-Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
-Requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
-Frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (nonweather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to the risk of electrical shock, working with explosives, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment
-Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

License & Certifications:

-Demonstrated completion or ability to complete (within eighteen months of the date of hire) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) Core Emergency Management Courses: Independent Study (IS) - 100, IS - 200, IS - 230, IS - 235, IS - 240, IS - 241, IS - 700, IS - 800
-Valid driver's license and insurable driver's record

Work Location:

This role must work from the location identified at the time of hire with work travel required as needed. Any change of work location, even on a short-term or interim basis, must be reviewed by the Supervisor and HR for approval.

Requirements:

Comprehensive knowledge of the federal and state laws and regulations regarding emergency management and emergency services; comprehensive knowledge of all facets of emergency management operations; comprehensive knowledge of FEMA NIMS and NCEM best practices and protocols, comprehensive knowledge of radio and telephone communications systems, their operations and implementations into emergency services; ability to maintain required certifications; ability to respond to work during emergency situations or inclement weather; ability to accept responsibilities and to carry out directives; ability to work with volunteers, volunteer organizations and related agencies; ability to communicate, both orally and in written form; ability to write detailed reports; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other agencies, County staff and the general public.

Additional information:

Individuals hired must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Cleveland County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SELECTION PROCESS: Selection will be by structured interview. Applications will be reviewed to select the best qualified applicants for admission to a structured interview. This position is subject to pre-employment drug screening and background check.