POSTING TYPE: Open competitive
DEPARTMENT: Risk Management
HOURS: Full-time
HIRING RANGE: $82,337 - $102,921 /year (Grade 109)
SALARY RANGE: $82,337 - $128,651 /year
LOCATION: Dakota County Administration Center, Hastings
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 9/24/2026. First review of applicants on 9/18/2026.

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third-most populous county, with an estimated 460,000 residents, located in the southeast portion of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro. The county includes both dense urban communities, fast growing suburbs, and rural areas. Combined with major transportation corridors, critical infrastructure, and river frontage along the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, there is a broad range of hazards that impact the County.

This role coordinates with County departments and municipal communities within the County. This may include local first responders, public health, public works, communications, administration and elected officials. This coordination includes planning, training, exercising, responding to and recovering from disasters or incidents that impact Dakota County and its regional, state, and federal partners.

This position fulfills the appointed role of Emergency Management Deputy Director as defined by MN Statute 12.25, subd. 2.

The position requires periodic work outside of core business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00 am, to 4:30 pm) to include evenings and weekends and response to emergency events as needed.

Who We Are:
Dakota County strives every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation. We aim to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Bachelor's degree AND
Three years of full-time professional experience in Emergency Management or a closely related field, including Law Enforcement, Fire Service, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, or a similar discipline

An equivalent combination of education and experience to total 7 years in Emergency Management or a closely related field, including Law Enforcement, Fire Service, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, or a similar discipline.

AND

Completion of National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses IS-100, IS-200, IS-700 and IS-800.
Completion of NIMS courses ICS-300 and ICS-400, or the ability to complete them within the first six months of employment.
A valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree
Certification as an Emergency Manager by the State of Minnesota or an equivalent certification by another state or the federal government.
Demonstrated ability to utilize effective project management skills to accomplish goals and objectives.
Demonstrated working knowledge of Minnesota Statute Chapter 12 and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs.
Considerable knowledge of State and Federal Emergency Management Grant and Disaster Assistance Programs.

*Pursuant to Dakota County Policy, this position is designated as Safety Sensitive. “Safety-sensitive position” means a position, including any supervisory or management position, in which impairment caused by drug, alcohol, or cannabis use would threaten the health and safety of any person as defined in Minnesota Statutes.These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

Primary Duties:

Exercise and Training Coordination – Coordinate the design, development, and evaluation of trainings, drills, and exercises. This includes coordinating drills and exercises related to Byllesby Dam EAP, Radiological Emergency Preparedness, Domestic Preparedness Committee plans, County Emergency Operations Plans, and Exercise Design Team Full-Scale Exercises.
Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program - Serve as the County’s primary coordinator for the REP program for the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, including plan updates, FEMA & NRC evaluated exercises, County trainings, and act as the liaison with Xcel, state, and federal REP partners.
Grant Management - With support from the Emergency Management Director, research, develop, and assist managing all appropriate grant applications including, but not limited to, the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), Radiological Emergency Preparedness Grant (REP), Port Security Grant Program (PSGP), and applicable mitigation grants. Implement grant awards consistent with grant guidelines.

Additional Duties:

Support public health preparedness plans including coordination of the transportation plan for medications to mass dispensing, health care and local distribution sites.
Support Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning and coordination, including the support of plan updates, trainings, and exercises.
Act as a liaison between Dakota County Emergency Management and external agencies to ensure that Dakota County interests are represented in an appropriate and professional manner in accord with state, county, and professional standards.
In conjunction with the County Emergency Management Manager, maintain twenty–four (24) hour, seven (7) days/week communication capability for county personnel and community partners in the event of disasters or emergency incidents.
Support monitoring and testing of the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and backup EOC to ensure availability on the 24/7 basis.
Provide consultation and technical expertise regarding operations and administration of local emergency preparedness programs to County staff and municipal partners to develop, maintain, and assess emergency preparedness mechanisms and individual program needs.
Prepare reports as needed to ensure compliance with all county, state, or federal requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to make sound and timely decisions based on analysis, experience in the field and sound judgment.
Ability to multitask.
Ability to prepare and present complex business reports on programs for managerial or stakeholder review and decision-making.
Ability to establish, facilitate, and maintain effective working relationships across diverse work groups, including senior management, elected and appointed officials, other local units of government, and various professional disciplines, while directing activities toward the achievement of common goals.
Skilled in developing and facilitating team-oriented organizations.
Skilled in administrative functions with emphasis on budgeting, report writing, programs design, development and execution.
Ability to use software including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Access, etc.) and other specialized software packages in order to communicate with others, analyze data and prepare reports.
Ability to use equipment including, but not limited to, telephone, laptop and tablet computers, calculator, fax machine, two-way radio, GPS and camera in both field and office environments.

BENEFITS:

Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
Excellent work-life balance
Generous paid time off
Eleven paid holidays each year
Pension with a generous employer contribution
Ability to work from home some of the time.

Selection Process

You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
We assign you a score based on your qualifications
Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
We extend an offer and conduct background checks

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is predominantly sedentary involving office (90%) and outside field work (10%). Lifting requirement may include occasional lifting up to 30 pounds. Routine travel between government centers, cities in Dakota County and within greater Twin City Metropolitan Area. May occasionally be assigned to actual emergency response activities that are outside and in an uncontrolled environment. Motor vehicle operation both on and off the roadway.

Dakota County

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