Position Information

The County of Sonoma is pleased to accept applications for Deputy Director of Emergency Management.

Starting salary up to $91.59/hour ($191,159/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

About The Department

The Department of Emergency Management is dedicated to helping the Sonoma County community prepare for, respond to, recover from, and become more resilient to emergencies and disasters. To support this mission, the department develops emergency plans, coordinates preparedness activities, leads emergency response and recovery efforts, conducts training and public education, and works collaboratively with partner agencies and the community to enhance Countywide emergency preparedness and resilience. The department also manages the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

About The Position

As the Deputy Director of Emergency Management, you will serve as a key member of the department's executive management team, providing strategic leadership for the County's emergency management programs. You will oversee five direct reports and two Extra-Help positions responsible for emergency preparedness, community alert and warning programs, community preparedness programs, and administrative services while ensuring County emergency-related plans comply with state and federal requirements. You will also lead the County's Emergency Staff Development Program, recommend emergency management policies and procedures, and serve as one of the Directors of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergency activations.

Additional Responsibilities Include

Developing, implementing, and maintaining emergency operations plans, functional annexes, training programs, and emergency exercises
Coordinating emergency preparedness activities, incident activations, and short-term disaster recovery efforts
Representing the County through presentations, committees, advisory groups, and partnerships with government agencies, community organizations, and Operational Area stakeholders
Serving as the department's Safety Officer
Acting on behalf of the Director of Emergency Management, as assigned or during the Director's absence

Important Information About This Position

This position serves on a rotating basis as one of the Directors of the EOC during emergency activations and may be required to respond outside of regular working hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts
On an as-needed basis, this position may serve as the department's Duty Officer and respond to emergency incidents throughout Sonoma County
During emergency activations, this position may be required to work extended shifts exceeding eight hours per day and work weeks longer than five days
This position requires flexibility and the ability to work effectively under adverse physical and mental conditions, including being at emergency scenes, incident base camps, other jurisdiction EOC, and may experience inclement weather, and stressful situations

The Ideal Candidate Is a Collaborative And Strategic Leader Who Inspires Confidence, Builds Strong Relationships, And Exercises Sound Judgment In Complex And Evolving Situations. They Will Communicate Effectively With Diverse Audiences, Foster Collaboration Across Organizations, And Are Committed To Developing Others While Advancing The County's Emergency Management Mission. The Ideal Candidate Will Also Possess Many Of The Following

Experience leading comprehensive emergency management programs, including disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience initiatives
Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining emergency operations plans, functional annexes, training programs, exercises, and after-action reports
The ability to build collaborative partnerships with government agencies, Operational Area partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders to coordinate emergency management initiatives
Knowledge of public alert and warning systems and emergency management technologies
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, including experience presenting to elected officials, community organizations, and diverse stakeholder groups
Political acumen and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Excellent critical thinking, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills
The ability to adapt to changing priorities, make sound decisions under pressure, and lead effectively during emergency incidents and disaster operations
A commitment to mentoring staff and fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment

The following training and certifications are highly desirable, but not required:

FEMA Professional Development Series
Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800
State of California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
California Professional Emergency Manager (CA-PEM)
Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)

What We Offer

Benefits

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3% of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Deputy Director of Emergency Management position in the Department of Emergency Management. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Education: Any combination of education, experience, and training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in emergency management, public safety, business or public administration, or a closely related field, and four years of progressively responsible experience managing a governmental civil defense, disaster, and/or emergency management program, two years of which included supervising staff.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: the principles, practices, and methods of emergency management; the laws, rules, and regulations governing the establishment and maintenance of emergency services systems; the modern equipment and systems utilized in emergency management including the Incident Command System (ICS), Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or equivalent systems; conditions leading to major emergencies, their effects, mitigation, response lines, resource requirements, damage assessment, recovery methods, and safety survival procedures; the operation of an emergency management center; federal and state policies and guidelines for emergency services and assistance; federal and state emergency services programs and funding procedures; principles and practices of program development and administration; principles and practices of supervision and performance management, budget and fiscal management, and public and general administration; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; English grammar, usage, and syntax.

Ability to: plan, organize, and direct comprehensive emergency management programs; supervise and evaluate the performance of subordinate managers and other staff; analyze problems, identify service needs, and develop effective courses of action; establish and adjust priorities; plan and develop new programs to meet objectives; assess budgetary needs and make projections; understand, interpret, and explain related laws, regulations, and policies; work independently and make sound decisions; maintain collaborative and cooperative working relationships; resolve conflicts; professionally represent the department and advise managers and supervisors on a wide variety of emergency management issues; analyze emergency situations and implement effective courses of action; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing including public speaking; prepare and direct the preparation of comprehensive written reports and oral presentations; review staff work; work under significant pressure, be subject to extended work hours, and be on-call in case of emergencies.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The Selection Procedure Will Consist Of The Following Examination

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate’s personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant’s name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job announcement must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: CA

HR Technician: KK

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: Management*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

01

How did you first learn about this opportunity?

Careers in Government
California Emergency Services Association
College or University
County of Sonoma Human Resources Office
DiversityJobs
Employee of Sonoma County
Facebook
Glassdoor
GovernmentJobs.com
Handshake
Indeed
Instagram
International Association of Emergency Managers
Job Fair
La Voz
Latino Service Providers
LinkedIn
Los Cien
Press Democrat
sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
Start Here!
X (Twitter)
Veterans Services Office
Women's Organization or Group
Other Internet Site
Other Publication

02

Please indicate if you would also be interested in future part-time or extra-help (temporary, intermittent, or seasonal employment) positions should they become available. Check all that apply.

I would also like to be considered for future part-time positions
I would also like to be considered for future extra-help positions
I am only interested in full-time positions

03

This eligible list may be used for future bilingual (English/Spanish) positions. Please indicate if you are interested in bilingual positions and your level of proficiency.

Yes, I have basic (conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
Yes, I have fluent (reading, writing, and conversational) English/Spanish bilingual skills
No, I do not have English/Spanish bilingual skills, and/or I do not wish to be considered for a bilingual position

04

For this question, and all subsequent questions, provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Your responses will be assessed and will help determine your standing, or rank, on the eligible list.

Please summarize your professional experience, training, and education that have prepared you for the position of Deputy Director of Emergency Management. Highlight experience directly related to developing, managing, and/or coordinating emergency programs and services.

05

Please describe your experience serving in an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergency activations. Include your role, primary responsibilities, the types of incidents you supported, and any coordination or decision-making responsibilities.

06

Please describe a complex emergency management plan, functional annex, exercise, or preparedness initiative that you developed or significantly revised. Include your role, the stakeholders involved, challenges encountered, and the outcome.

07

Please describe your professional experience related to personnel management, staff development, and training, including information about where you gained this experience and the size of the workforce that you led in these areas.

Required Question

County of Sonoma

New Jobs

Deputy Director of Emergency Management