Overview
Cook County Department of Emergency Management & Regional Security is seeking an Associate Director, Emergency Response and Recovery to help lead operational policy, procedure development, and day-to-day field operations. This role oversees the alignment of assets, programs, and personnel with the County’s emergency response activities, while supporting budget planning, grant management, and compliance. The Associate Director will work closely with leadership to ensure operational readiness, fiscal accountability, and the successful execution of emergency response and recovery initiatives.
Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.
Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.
WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?
Benefits
In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:
- Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 9 Additional voluntary benefit plans
- Flexible Teleworking Options
- Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 15 vacation days annually; and Paid sick leave)
- Pension Plan
- Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
- Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.
SALARY RANGE : $127,800 -$156,200/YEARLY
SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY
- Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
- 2nd largest county in America
- Larger than 27 states
- Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
- Nearly 80% unionized workforce
- 15 unions represented
- 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
- Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
- Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
- Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.
LOCATION
Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.
Role Summary
Provide assistance with operational policy and procedure development activities while monitoring the day to day field operational requirements of the department. Oversee the alignment of operational assets, programs, and personnel with the department's response activities and administrative requirements. Support the planning of budgetary matters and grant management, and collaborate on the department's annual operating budget and monitors the department's quarterly expenses.
Typical Job Duties
- Provide assistance with operational policy and procedure development activities, while monitoring day to day field operational requirements of the department.
- Coordinate operational assets, programs and personnel with operational response activities and administrative needs of the department.
- Support the planning of budgetary matters and grant management related to operational needs and collaborate on the development of the annual operating budget and monitoring of quarterly expenses for the department.
- Represent Cook County on various regional, state, and federal committees related to confidential Homeland Security, Public Safety and Emergency Management matters.
- Oversee the operational management of emergency notification and public alert services, providing critical information during emergencies and disasters, while coordinating with department staff and Cook County agencies to ensure active participation in emergency drills and exercises.
- Remain up-to-date on training standards, codes, and statutes affecting the department and Cook County while ensuring the confidentiality of materials and information.
- Develop, recommend and promote cooperation and assistance agreements and memorandums for various local and regional units of government and non-government organizations.
Required For All Jobs
Performs other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Knowledge of FEMA/DHS National Interoperability requirements in relation to Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as well as expertise in state, county, and local communication plans and Emergency Operations Plans.
- Skill in interpreting and applying governmental directives while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive efforts and documents..
- Ability to work under extremely stressful situations and handle multiple tasks over an extended period of time.
- Ability to ascertain compliance with federal and state emergency preparedness laws, rules and regulations and explain compliance requirements to county and local officials.
- Possesses strong communication skills across verbal, written, and electronic formats, ensuring clarity and grammatical accuracy, along with proficiency in Microsoft Windows Operating systems.
- Ability to provide strategic leadership, insight, support, and direction to support the unit’s mission and goals.
- Ability to solve complex problems that have long-term impact or organization-wide function.
- Ability to implement plans and objectives, and oversee the efficiency and performance of specific processes and operations.
- Knowledge of radio policies, protocols, and procedures.
- Ability to travel to various work locations throughout the county.
- Ability to work 24/7, including holidays and weekends for emergency response, which includes serving as the Duty Officer and potentially deploying to emergency scenes, incident command posts, or emergency operations centers activated for local or countywide incidents.
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher and
- Four (4) years of experience in emergency management, public safety administration, united states armed forces, or directly related experience or
- An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree.
- Six (6) years of experience in emergency management, public safety administration, or the United States armed forces.
- Four (4) years of previous management or supervisory experience.
- Certificate of completion of Emergency Management certification in National Incident Management System coursework including ICS 100, 200, 300,400,700, 800.
Physical Requirements
Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.
EMPLOYMENT TERMS
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.
Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov
for inquiries about this position
Job Posting
Aug 13, 2025, 12:53:27 PM
Organization
Offices Under the President
