Emergency Manager - New Position!

Annual Salary: $147,382 – $198,966

Plus excellent benefits and 3% salary increases scheduled for July 2025 and July 2026.

Responsibilities

The Emergency Manager is a newly created position responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of the Town’s emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery programs. The Emergency Manager reports to the Assistant Town Manager and under general direction they:

Develop, review, update, and implement relevant aspects of the Town’s Emergency Operations Plan, Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Community Wildfire Protection, Continuity of Operations Plan, associated annexes, and other emergency plans or other federal, state, or local requirements as appropriate.
Identify and analyze potential vulnerabilities to disaster and response capabilities and implement disaster mitigation plans and programs for a wide range of disaster risk which may threaten the Town.
Develop and implement strategies and programs specifically designed to mitigate wildland interface risks, including defensible space planning, fuel reduction programs, and community-based wildfire resilience initiatives.
Oversee Town Emergency Management activities, including policies and procedures in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements, as well as the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS).
Plan, develop, implement, and monitor emergency management initiatives, goals, and objectives and provide expertise to executive staff on related matters.
Oversee the preparation and operation of the Town Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and facilitate coordination with other agencies and entities for effective emergency response and recovery.
Prepare, conduct, and/or coordinate emergency preparedness training for Town employees and maintain training records. Evaluate training effectiveness and make improvements, as needed.
Manage the roster of staff assigned to the EOC and develop, conduct, and/or coordinate regular EOC training, drills, and exercises for EOC staff and other key personnel.
Participate in County-led and Operational Area trainings, drills, and exercises, as appropriate.
Serve as the Town’s representative to coordinate with the Operational Area, Santa Clara County Fire Department, regional, state, and federal governmental agencies, external partners and utilities, the public, volunteer organizations, community groups, and stakeholders to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication before, during, and after an emergency incident.
Lead the development and maintenance of formal mutual aid agreements and cross-sector partnerships that enhance resource sharing and operational interoperability during regional disasters.
Develop, seek, manage, and implement grant and other funding programs focused on disaster preparedness, mitigation, and/or response while also ensuring the proper reporting and compliance requirements of such programs.
Work with Town departments, private and non-profit organizations to coordinate protection of key infrastructures such as government facilities, schools, business campuses, and natural assets.
Work collaboratively with Town departments to review facility specific emergency action plans and procedures as they relate to emergency response.
Build partnerships with private sector organizations and their emergency response teams.
Stay current on technological advancements and best practices in the field to ensure effective integration of technology and improvements in emergency management activities.
Conduct and coordinate community outreach to increase awareness of emergency preparedness and the role of emergency management.
Lead the Town’s emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies such as the California Office of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and municipal emergency management agencies.
Support real-time decision-making during emergencies, including resource allocation, coordination of personnel, and communication with local, state and federal agencies.
Coordinate with the Public Information Officer (or act as the primary point of contact, as needed) to develop and implement effective public communication strategies that include real-time updates, social media engagement, and clear messaging for diverse audiences. Prepare and submit progress reports as required; ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including those under the Stafford Act.
Ensure emergency or wildfire related compliance as needed.
Supervise, manage, mentor, and set priorities for staff reporting to the Emergency Manager position as well as positions responsible for aspects of emergency preparedness and response, as applicable.
Must be available on an on-call basis to receive emergency communications and respond immediately during emergencies, with the flexibility to work extended hours or travel as required.
This position may involve working in physically demanding or hazardous conditions during emergencies and requires the ability to operate effectively in such environments.

Ideal Candidate

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

Knowledge of Federal, State, and other codes, laws, regulations, and protocols related to disaster management, including but not limited to:
- California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- Emergency Operations Center (EOC) structure and operating procedures, Department Operations Centers (DOCs), and Action Planning
- California Disaster Service Worker Program for government employees as well as the Disaster Worker Volunteer Program. Principles of training and community education, research methods, and program analysis. Best practices in public education and involvement such as Citizen Corps, MRC, CERT, and other programs.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of emergency management, including hazard identification and mitigation and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
- Experience in EOC activations other than those related to COVID-19.
- Experience in FEMA and CalOES grant management.
- Experience with designing, developing, and delivering emergency management training and exercises compliant with the Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
- A proven track record of training and preparing EOC staff and volunteers.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to persuasively further the Town’s emergency preparedness objectives with internal and external partners.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree with course work in emergency management, public administration, education, or a field of study that is related to the work. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required education. Experience substitutions are determined at the discretion of the Town of Los Gatos. A Master's degree in emergency management is preferred.

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional experience with at least two (2) in a role addressing emergency management.

License & Certification

Must have completed required IS 100, IS 200, IS 700, IS 800, and G606 courses at the time of hire.
Must complete IS 300, IS 400, and Emergency Management Concepts courses within one year of appointment.

Application and Selection Process

Application and Selection Process

To be considered for this career opportunity, click on the "Apply" button to complete the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Resumes may be attached, but not accepted in place of a complete online application. Only complete applications will be accepted. Applications will be screened in relation to the criteria in this job announcement. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee continuation in the process. Only the most qualified applicants with the most relevant experience and education will be invited to continue in the selection process. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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The Town of Los Gatos is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, medical, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by law. Qualified individuals with a disability will receive reasonable accommodation, as required by the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and federal laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504, during any phase of the selection process, providing such request is made to Human Resources at least five working days in advance. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation. Under federal law, all employees must provide documents that authorize the right to work in the United States.

Town of Los Gatos

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Emergency Manager