Emergency Manager

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Senior Emergency and Risk Manager, the Emergency Manager coordinates the planning, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts of Sheriff’s Office divisions, bureaus, sections, and volunteer service agencies before, during, and after emergencies and disasters. This position ensures a cohesive and cooperative approach to emergency management by drafting, reviewing and coordinating response plans, conducting capabilities assessments, and evaluating agency preparedness against accreditation standards. This position provides strategic leadership in emergency preparedness and organizational resiliency to ensure that the agency can respond swiftly and effectively to all emergencies. The Emergency Manager guides the agency’s efforts in emergency preparedness and resiliency to mitigate the interruption of services and the well-being of personnel during crises.

The Emergency Manager conducts outreach to community agencies, businesses, and government partners to promote planning, preparedness, and resilience. The position also maintains, updates, and executes the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), including the Sheriff’s Office Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), monitors severe weather and other threats, and advises leadership on safety and operational matters. Additionally, the Emergency Manager evaluates and recommends policies and procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency’s Emergency Management and Preparedness Program.

Qualifications

• Education – Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public safety, business administration, or a related field
• Experience – Four (4) years’ experience in the emergency management or related field
  • • Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required competencies to perform the job.
• Valid Driver License
• Computer Literacy Required
• Certifications:
  • Incident Command Systems (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 courses required
  • All Hazards Incident Management Team coursework required
• Preferred:
  • Master’s degree in emergency management, public safety, business administration, or a related field
  • Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) Certification
  • Experience as Incident Commander in Emergency Response
  • Experience in the development and maintenance of emergency operations plans

Essential Job Functions

• This list of functions, duties, responsibilities, skills, and physical abilities is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as deemed necessary.
• Coordinates planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities across Sheriff’s Office divisions, bureaus, sections, and volunteer service agencies before, during and after emergencies and disasters.
• Drafts, reviews and evaluates emergency response and recovery plans to ensure coordinated, cohesive, and effective agency operations.
• Conducts outreach and collaborates with community agencies, businesses, and government organizations to enhance preparedness and emergency planning.
• Conducts training, drills, and exercises to prepare staff for hurricanes, critical incidents, and other hazards.
• Conducts after-action reviews (AARs) and develops improvement plans following incidents or exercises.
• Responds to emergency incidents and disasters to manage multi-agency activities, ensuring safety and operational effectiveness.
• Provides briefings and situation updates to department heads, officials, and other stakeholders during emergency events.
• Monitors and coordinates agency activities with County Emergency Operations Center, including recruitment, training, and management of the WCSO assigned Emergency Support Functions staff for ESF 4/9, 8, 16, and 17.
• Conducts internal site surveys, vulnerability analyses, and capability evaluations to measure performance against accreditation standards.
• Prepares, maintains, and executes Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
• Advises on policies, procedures, and methods to improve efficiency, preparedness, and response capabilities of the Emergency Management and Preparedness Program.
• Monitors developing severe weather situations and other threats, providing guidance and notifications to leadership and the Public Information Officer.
• Make presentations to schools, civic groups, community organizations, and government agencies regarding emergency preparedness and safety.
• Maintains readiness for field response, including hands-on coordination and operational management during disasters and emergencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management and Preparedness Program.
• Supports Risk Management activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of emergency management principles, including the Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Thorough knowledge of emergency management principles, practices, and common-sense application in dynamic, high-pressure situations.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply emergency response policies, procedures, and technical data.
• Strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with staff, co-workers, the public, and community partners.
• Ability to provide clear instructions, guidance, and training to multiple audiences under stressful conditions.
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication, including preparing reports, correspondence, and presentations.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to coordinate multi-agency responses.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and emergency situations simultaneously.
• Numerical aptitude for calculating totals, percentages, and other emergency-related metrics.
• Forms and spatial aptitude to evaluate site layouts, emergency equipment, and operational plans.
• Motor coordination and manual dexterity to operate vehicles, office equipment, and communications tools safely and efficiently.
• Adaptability, composure, and interpersonal temperament to perform under high stress and maintain professional conduct.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and Supervision: Provides guidance, direction, and coordination to multiple divisions, bureaus, volunteer agencies, and personnel during emergencies and routine operations.
• Decision-Making: Makes timely, informed, and effective decisions under high-pressure and rapidly evolving situations.
• Strategic Planning: Develops, implements, and evaluates emergency response, recovery, and mitigation plans to ensure agency preparedness and resilience.
• Communication: Clearly conveys information both orally and in writing to staff, public officials, community partners, and the public; prepares reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Builds strong working relationships with internal divisions, external agencies, community organizations, and volunteers to ensure a coordinated emergency response.
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Analyzes complex situations, identifies risks and vulnerabilities, and recommends practical solutions.
• Adaptability and Stress Management: Maintains composure and effectiveness under high-stress situations, emergencies, or tight deadlines.
• Public Engagement: Educates, informs, and builds trust with the community through presentations, outreach, and cooperative planning.
• Attention to Detail: Conducts thorough assessments, vulnerability analyses, and reviews of response plans to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrates proficiency in using emergency management tools, communications equipment, and data analysis to support planning and operational decisions.
• Interagency Collaboration: Builds and maintains strong partnerships with county, state, and federal agencies, ensuring alignment in emergency response, communication, and recovery efforts.
• Emergency Response Leadership: Provides calm, decisive leadership during emergencies or critical incidents, maintaining situational awareness, prioritizing safety, and coordinating agency response operations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to exert 20–50 pounds of force occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and/or negligible force constantly to move objects.
• Ability to bend, squat, kneel, reach, and twist as needed for operational tasks.
• Must be able to work for extended periods in outside conditions, including exposure to fumes, dust, chemicals, and potential bodily hazards.
• Visual acuity sufficient to read reports, inspect equipment, and perform detailed operational tasks.
• Auditory ability to hear and understand communications via telephone, radio, and in-person during emergencies.
• Physical capability to talk, signal, and convey information clearly in emergency and routine operations.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle for site visits, training coordination, and emergency response duties.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuant to applicable state and federal law, preference and priority shall be given to certain service members and veterans (including spouses and family members of such service members and veterans), and certain service members may be eligible for a waiver of post-secondary educational requirements as provided in Chapter 295, Florida Statutes.

About Public Safety Jobs

Jobs close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the deadline date specified, or when the position capacity has been met, or unless otherwise specified in the announcement. If the deadline date is not specified in the announcement, the agency has sole discretion on setting the deadline and jobs may close without notice. It is the applicant’s responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the deadline requirements and capacity limits as outlined by the agency.

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