Position Summary
The current vacancy is in the County Manager's department.
Provide strategic leadership and management for Ramsey County Emergency Management; coordinate the disaster prevention, mitigation, planning, preparedness, response and recovery programs; direct the development and implementation of the County’s Emergency Operations Plan, Hazard mitigation Plan, Continuity of Operations Plan, and Disaster Recovery Plan; manage federal, state, and local emergency management and homeland security grant programs for County departments; and perform related duties as assigned
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to:
Flexible Workplace policy.
Examples of Work Performed
- Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
- Manage the development and annual review of Ramsey County’s emergency response plan; evaluate program applicability, and recommend policy, financial, and programmatic changes to the Deputy County Manager, County Manager, and County Board; ensure the county’s emergency management program complies with Minnesota statutes, federal guidance, and recognized professional standards.
- Directthedevelopmentofthedepartment'sannualbudget,capitalimprovementplan,performance measures and annual work plans; supervise the administration of approved funds and service contract resources; work with state and federal agencies to maximize funding for programs and disaster recovery.
- Maintain relationships with stakeholders and facilitate multi-agency planning processes involving county departments, municipalities, community and national organizations; and meet with elected and appointed officials of government jurisdictions, commissions, business, professional, and citizen organizations on emergency preparednessissues.
- Coordinate the development of County and Municipal emergency plans through development and implementation of training and exercise programs to enhance county preparedness that includes multi-agency exercises to test and improve emergency response capabilities.
- Prepare and maintain accurate records and report in accordance with County, State, and Federal rules and regulations; identify and catalog sources of emergency resources for use in response to all emergencies.
- Consult and collaborate with first responders, ambulance or public safety officials, medical directors, public health officials, and municipal and civic groups on technical and programmatic emergency preparedness issues.
- Interpret state and federal emergency management rules and regulations; recommend policy and program changes to respond to changing requirements; participate in the development of state legislative issues as related to emergency preparedness; prepare Requests for County Board Actions and make presentations to decision-makers and other internal or external groups.
- Coordinate countywide disaster response and recovery activities for emergencies and disasters, including managing the surveying of damage and investigations; support the activation and operation of the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC); and maintain a viable communications system for use during emergencies.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in emergency management, public administration, business administration, criminal justice, or a related field.
Experience: Five years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management operations, disaster preparedness within a law enforcement organization, county and/or city state government and private organization, including two years of supervisory experience.
Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Certification/Licensure: Certification as an emergency manager by the Federal Government and able to obtain State of Minnesota certification.
Other: Completion of National Incident Management System (NIMS) coursework including ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700 and IS-800 (or ability to obtain within one year).
Completion of FEMA National Disaster & Emergency Management University Basic Academy or an equivalent state-recognized training program (or ability to obtain within two years).
Exam/Screening Process Information
This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration.
Please read below for further instructions.
Definition Of Unclassified From The Ramsey County Personnel Act
Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."
Interested candidates should apply online by completing the online application prior to the close date listed and attaching a resume and cover letter detailing their experience.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.
Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.
To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. You will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.
For further information regarding this posting, please contact amy.jannetto@co.ramsey.mn.us
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
- Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
- MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
- VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
- Pre-tax Benefit Program
- Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
- Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
- Paid time off
- Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
- 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
- Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
- Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
- Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
- Retirement benefits
- Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
- New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
- Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
- Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
- Transit and parking
- Fully funded Metropass.
- Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
- Employee well-being
- Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
- Wellness programming
- Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
- Life Insurance and Disability leave
- County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
- Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
- Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
- Career development
- Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
- Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
- County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues
For information about Ramsey County's 2026 benefits, visit: https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf
01
Select the option that best describes your highest level of education completed in emergency management, public administration, business administration, criminal justice, or a related field.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Associates Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or higher
02
Select the option that best describes your progressively responsible experience in emergency management operations, disaster preparedness within a law enforcement organization, county and/or city state government and private organization, including two years of supervisory experience.
- Three to five years of experience
- Five to seven years of experience
- Eight to ten years of experience
- More than ten years of experience
- I do not have experience.
03
Do you have certification as an emergency manager by the Federal Government and able to obtain State of Minnesota certification?
04
Have you completed of National Incident Management System (NIMS) coursework including ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, IS-700 and IS-800 (or ability to complete within one year)?
05
Have you completed FEMA National Disaster & Emergency Management University Basic Academy or an equivalent state-recognized training program (or ability to complete within two years).
