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Emergency Management Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

$107K - $134K/yr

Direct, plan, prepare, and manage emergency operations response for the Public Works Department during severe weather, flooding, snow and ice events, and other emergencies. Act quickly and decisively ...

Develop and sustain trusted relationships with state emergency management directors, local government emergency managers, FEMA regional staff, and other key decision-makers. * Position ICF as the go ...

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Emergency Management Director information

See Virginia salary details

$38.7K

$97.8K

$172.5K

How much do emergency management director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for emergency management director in Virginia is $97,812.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,900.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an emergency management director do?

An Emergency Management Director assesses and develops policies and protocols for an organization or business to follow in the event of a crisis, emergency, or natural disaster in a metropolitan area. For this job, your responsibilities include conducting assessments of current policies, suggesting changes and new strategies, and training employees on the organization’s emergency management policies. You also work with local emergency services and first responders to develop effective emergency plans. In the event of a crisis, you are in charge of enacting and executing these procedures.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an emergency management director?

To thrive as an Emergency Management Director, you need expertise in disaster response planning, risk assessment, and crisis management, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's degree and experience in emergency services. Familiarity with emergency management software (like WebEOC), FEMA guidelines, and certifications such as CEM (Certified Emergency Manager) are highly valuable. Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills help coordinate teams and effectively collaborate with government agencies and the public. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure effective preparedness, response, and recovery during emergencies, minimizing risk and protecting communities.

What are some common challenges emergency management directors face when coordinating disaster response efforts?

Emergency Management Directors often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing situations, coordinating across multiple agencies, and ensuring clear communication during high-stress events. They must balance limited resources while prioritizing public safety and adhere to local, state, and federal regulations. Building strong partnerships and conducting regular training exercises help address these challenges, but flexibility and quick decision-making remain essential skills in this role.

What is the difference between Emergency Management Director vs Fire Chief?

AspectEmergency Management DirectorFire Chief
CredentialsEmergency management certifications, degrees in public safety or emergency managementFire science degrees, firefighter certifications, leadership training
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, emergency response agencies, planning officesFire stations, emergency scenes, command centers
Employer & IndustryLocal, state, or federal government agenciesFire departments, municipal government

While both roles focus on public safety, the Emergency Management Director oversees overall emergency preparedness and coordination across agencies, whereas the Fire Chief manages firefighting operations and personnel within a fire department. The roles often collaborate but differ in scope and daily responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Emergency Management jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Emergency Management jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Emergency Management Director jobs in Virginia?

For Emergency Management Director jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Emergency Management Director jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Emergency Management Director jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Emergency Management Director jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Emergency Management Director job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Emergency Management Director jobs in VA?

For Emergency Management Director jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Emergency Management Director job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,812 per year, or $47 per hour.

Emergency Management Specialist

Radford University

Radford, VA

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Radford University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

236th of 628 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Emergency Management Specialist

Apply now Job no: 55000591
Work type: Classified Staff
Location: Radford
Categories: Public Safety

Title: Emergency Management Specialist

Application Review Date: September 23, 2026

Campus Location: Radford City - Main Campus

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Emergency Management, the Emergency Management Specialist works as part of the Radford University Office of Emergency Management under Department of Public Safety team to develop and maintain emergency management programs for Radford University. Typical duties include supporting emergency plan development, conducting training, emergency exercise development and facilitation, along with program development, outreach functions and operational guidance needed for all phases of the emergency management program.
Ensure Radford University emergency plans and activities are consistent with agency directions by the provision of hands-on assistance to university departments
Interpret the requirements of Radford University and other agency policies and provide related guidance to university stakeholders as it relates to emergency preparedness.
Ability to provide leadership in the area of emergency management preparedness, preparing the Radford University community to respond to emergencies that might significantly affect and impact the University; to include: management of the primary, virtual, and alternate Emergency Operations Center (EOC), including operational leadership during EOC activations; management of effective emergency response and recovery resources such as equipment, technology and tools that must be in a ready state for response activity; development and implementation of policies, procedures, and protocols compliant with University policy, as well as federal, state, and local standards and best practices, including virtual EOC platform procedures that ensure the University's ability to coordinate quickly and efficiently during an emergency; and administration of designated aspects of the crisis and emergency management plans.
Coordinate and lead the continued growth and administration of the University's Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) program, including guiding departments through the development, maintenance, and update of continuity plans
Assist in developing, updating, and maintaining campus wide building emergency action plan (BEAP) program as well as the building emergency coordinator (BEC) program.
Maintain, coordinate, and administer departmental outreach and preparedness education programs for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, including the development and management of publications, presentations, website content, marketing materials, and other educational resources.
Assist in planning, developing, coordinating and executing tabletop, functional, and full-scale exercises to enhance familiarity with emergency management.
Ensure consistent delivery of emergency management program efforts at all Radford University locations, through technical support, guidance, and provision of expert assistance to staff on main campus and satellite locations.
Assist with preparing after-action reports and improvement plans.
Assist with the activation and dissemination of emergency notifications and other critical communications for actual or potential incidents affecting the university community.
Attend local and regional workshops, exercises and emergency management events.
Collaborate with internal departments, external agencies, and community partners to coordinate emergency planning efforts, share resources, and foster mutual aid agreements.
Perform other related functions in support of Radford University Department of Public Safety and the Office of Emergency Management program.

Required Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of the role of the state, local and federal governments in emergencies; emergency response programs, policies and procedures; and federal and state program regulations.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic and diverse environment.
Dependable work ethics with the ability to fit into a team environment characterized by shared accountabilities.
Extensive use of computers to retrieve and input information.
Project planning and development experience.
Experience in policy and best practices pertaining to emergency communications.
Requires the ability to analyze all type emergency situations to determine course of action and solve problems; excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
Certified Emergency Manager certification or ability to obtain within 3 years from the date of hire.
Required: IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800.
Required: Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) license or ability to obtain within 3 years from the date of hire. (A bachelor's degree in a related field is required for certification).
Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in creating, implementing, and coordinating emergency management planning programs for a large, diverse organization.
Experience in grant writing and management.
Demonstrated customer service experience.
Experience in creating visual presentations, instructional design and the development of training materials.
Expert knowledge of standard communication procedures and equipment; principles and practices of emergency dispatching.
Proven ability to manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Preferred experience in using virtual emergency operations center platforms or systems.
Preferred IS-300, IS-400.
Preferred professional certifications: Virginia Professional Emergency Manager (VPEM), Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), Project Management Professional, and/or Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP).

Employment Conditions: Valid driver's license; position is designated as essential/emergency personnel

Is this position Grant Funded: No

Is this position restricted: No

Is this position 100% telework: No

Hours Per Week: 40

Months per Year: 12

Statement of Economic Interest Required: No

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Classification: Classified Staff

Normal Work Schedule: 8am-5pm, M-F, Weekend and Evening Hours as Needed, Travel Required

Employee Classification: Emergency Coordinator II

Department: Emergency Management

Salary: $63,000 - $73,000 (Commensurate with education and experience.)

Department Contact Name: Peter McCann

Department Contact Phone: 540-831-6696

Department Contact Email: pmccann@radford.edu

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Radford University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, or political affiliation in the administration of its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices.

Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Radford University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university's policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years' of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at Radford.edu/police. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the Radford University Police Department located at 810 East Main Street PO Box 6883, Radford, VA, 24142.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation in the application process please contact the hiring department.

Criminal Background Check Statement

Radford University is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all employees, students, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of our hiring and screening process, we conduct criminal background checks in compliance with Virginia Code 19.2-389 and other applicable state and federal laws. Successful candidates will be required to have a criminal background check.

Advertised: 28 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

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