Under the supervision of the County Manager, the Director is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the County in times of emergencies and disasters. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive emergency management programs and plans to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and man-made emergencies.
1. Emergency Planning and Preparedness- Develop and periodically update, in accordance with applicable federal and state planning guidelines and in collaboration with other County departments and stakeholders, all required or advisable plans, including:
- The County’s Emergency Operations Plan, including all required or advisable annexes (such as a Resource Management Plan or Annex and Crisis Communications Plan or Emergency Public Information Annex));
- a Continuity of Operations Plan;
- a Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA);
- a multi-year strategic plan for the Emergency Management Program;
- Disaster Recovery Plan; and
- Multi-Year Training and Exercise Planning Plan (MYTEP).
- Make recommendations concerning the makeup and operations of an oversight or steering/advisory committee for the Emergency Management Program, and provide staff support for the work of such committee.
- Oversee the development and implementation of the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- Ensure that the County has available the resources needed in the event of anticipated and actual emergencies through, among other means, the procurement of goods and services, intergovernmental agreements, and requests for resources through the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
- Coordinate the development and maintenance of a countywide resource management database.
- Oversee the development, equipping, and staffing of a dedicated Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and, potentially, an alternate EOC.
- Develop standard operating procedures for the EOC and direct the activities of the EOC when activated.
- Ensure that all planning and communication activities meet the needs of both at-risk and cultural-diverse background populations in the County.
- Keep informed of activities or changes that could affect the likelihood of an emergency, as well as those that could affect response efforts and details of plan implementation.
- Coordinate the development of emergency and operational plans for special events, such as the annual pilgrimage to the El Santuario de Chimayo.
- May be responsible for various software platforms including early warning systems and emergency management software.
- Develop and perform tests, exercises, and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
- Inspect facilities and equipment, such as emergency management centers and communications equipment, to determine their operational and functional capabilities in emergency situations.
- Work collaboratively with county officials to develop and update emergency management policies and procedures.
- Provide guidance on legislative matters related to emergency management.
- Identify grant opportunities and apply for and manages grants to support the Emergency Management Program and the County’s emergency response capabilities, in collaboration with other County departments and elected offices.
- Emergency Response and Recovery
- Supports incident operations as requested.
- Maintain communications with and request support from other adjacent or involved jurisdictions, including city, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations when needed.
- Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities.
- Collaborate with local, state, and federal officials in order to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.
- Prepare status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
- Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters and implements special needs plans and programs.
- Evaluate and assess the impact of disasters, providing recommendations for recovery initiatives.
- Intergovernmental and Non-Governmental Coordination
- Develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships with all levels of government and non-governmental organizations in order to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and coordination of personnel and equipment; coordinate on a regional and state level to maintain readiness and interoperability; and serve as the emergency management liaison to federal, state, city, counties, appropriate governments and private organizations.
- Works with local and state agencies to develop agreements regarding coordinated response to areas of mutual concern.
- Community Outreach, Education, and Organization
- Develop and implement a coordinated hazard public awareness and education campaign.
- Develop and oversee a community emergency alerting and communications system, ensuring timely and effective dissemination of critical information to the public during emergencies and disasters.
- Develop and maintain procedures for activating, setting up, and operating a Joint Information Center (JIC).
- Coordinate the development of Community Emergency Response Teams.
- Participate in community education and public relations programs that involve emergency management, develop public service messages, and distribute emergency or advisory information as needed.
- Engage with community leaders, organizations, and residents to foster a culture of resilience and preparedness.
- Conduct outreach events and training sessions to disseminate information on emergency procedures and resources.
- Training
- Develop training programs for all County personnel potentially involved in emergency management activities.
- Develop and maintain a centralized training database to track compliance with mandatory and recommended training.
- General Management
- Supervise other employees of the Office of Emergency Management; plan and assign work; evaluate and approve/disapprove leave requests; approve timesheets; check final work to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; recommend the hiring of new employees; recommend the promotion of employees; recommend disciplinary action; assist in the resolution of grievances and/or complaints; provide feedback on work performance for employees; and complete performance evaluations for employees.
- Recommends personnel for specialized outside training classes.
- Conducts random inspection of all phases of Office of Emergency Management operations.
- Assists in budget preparation and implementation.
Knowledge/ Skills:- Knowledge of statutes, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to emergency management.
- Knowledge of the techniques employed in developing effective community and public relations programs.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of emergency management planning and response, including techniques for coordinating activities of a variety of organizations.
- Knowledge of interrelationships, responsibilities, goals, and functions of local, state, and federal government related to emergency management.
- Knowledge of federal and state policies and plans for emergency planning, response, recovery, and mitigation.
- Knowledge of management techniques and practices.
- Knowledge of methods and techniques for emergency management training.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting and accounting.
- Knowledge of principles of government administration, organization, and resources.
- Knowledge of grant funding policies and procedures and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
- Skill in operating business computers and office machines, including in a Windows environment, specifically Word, Excel, Access, financial systems, and presentation software (such as PowerPoint).
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies and stakeholders in a diverse community.
- Skill in analyzing situations quickly and objectively, and determining the proper course of action.
- Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to complete moderately complex administrative paperwork.
- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Skilled in complex problem solving.
- Skilled in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
- Ability to work independently and use independent judgment.
- Ability to compile and produce grant submissions in accordance with funding agency requirements.
- Ability to research, develop, and modify elements of comprehensive emergency management preparedness and response plans.
- Ability to coordinate a coalition of local agencies to provide emergency information and resource management.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with cities, special districts, county, state and federal agencies, community based organizations and other service groups having a role in an emergency.
- Ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, plan elements, procedures, correspondence, media information, and other written materials.
- Ability to train others in various phases of the emergency management program.
- Ability to investigate, gather data, compile information, and analyze claims information, draw conclusions, and prepare reports.
- Bachelor’s degree in emergency management or related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in emergency management or any combination of education in emergency management or related field and increasingly responsible experience in emergency management totaling nine (9) years; and
- Two years of supervisory experience or New Mexico EDGE Public Supervisor certification.
- Education is counted at the rate of thirty (30) credit hours equals one year.
- Must possess National Incident Management System (NIMS) ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 certifications.
- Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certification by the International Association of Emergency Managers or National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA) Certificate or National Emergency Management Executive Academy (NEMEA) Certificate from FEMA’s Emergency Management Professional Program preferred.
Working Conditions: Work is performed both in an office environment and outdoors in varied weather conditions with exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens. Work may involve exposure to hazardous materials, excessive noise, hostile individuals, and work near hazardous/moving equipment or machinery. Work may require the occasional use of protective clothing, equipment, devices or materials. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands or arms; stoop or crouch; and talk or hear. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Clarity of vision at long distance and short distance is required. Evening, holiday, and weekend work is required. Overnight travel and extended hours may be required. May be on call for emergencies.
Conditions of Employment: Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver’s License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties
