1

Emergency Management Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$83K - $108K/yr

Participation in direct deposit is mandatory. * Membership in the Colorado Air National Guard ... Knowledge of emergency management and related directives, policies, regulations, procedures, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Emergency Management Director information

See salary details

$39K

$98.7K

$174K

How much do emergency management director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for emergency management director in the United States is $98,658.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $121,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Emergency Management Director, and why are they important?

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 does an Emergency Management Director do?

An Emergency Management Director is responsible for developing plans and procedures to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. They coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, provide training and guidance to public agencies and the community, and ensure effective communication during emergencies. Their duties also include assessing hazards, implementing preparedness programs, and managing recovery efforts after incidents. Emergency Management Directors often collaborate with government agencies, first responders, and the public to protect lives and property.

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 Do Emergency Management Directors 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 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 cities are hiring for Emergency Management Director jobs? Cities with the most Emergency Management Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Emergency Management jobs? The most popular types of Emergency Management jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Emergency Management Director jobs? The top employers for Emergency Management Director jobs are:
What states have the most Emergency Management Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Emergency Management Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Emergency Management Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 3% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,658 per year, or $47.4 per hour.
Director, Emergency Management & Regional Readiness Response

Director, Emergency Management & Regional Readiness Response

Carle Health

Champaign, IL • On-site

$44.83 - $77.11/hr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Carle Health rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 208 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

221st of 869 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Overview
The Director of Emergency Preparedness is responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and execution of a comprehensive emergency management program across Carle Health. This role ensures organizational readiness for natural disasters, public health emergencies, mass casualty incidents, and other crises, while maintaining compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
Qualifications
Certifications:
  • FEMA ICS/NIMS training required or must be obtained within 30 days and
  • Certified Hospital Emergency Coordinator (CHEC) within 1 year or
  • Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) within 1 year

Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree: Emergency Management or
  • Bachelor's Degree: Healthcare or
  • Bachelor's Degree: Related Field

Work Experience:
  • Related field - 7 years

Specialized Knowledge:
  • Demonstrated leadership abilities, with strong facilitation and change management competencies.
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills
  • Adept at developing policies, training materials, and compliance documentation.
  • Proficiency with incident reporting systems, data analysis, and comprehensive program evaluation.

Responsibilities
  • Systemwide Strategy & Program Leadership
  • Provide strategic direction for emergency preparedness across all facilities
  • Develop and maintain Emergency Management Program (EMP)
  • Lead Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA)
  • Align with enterprise risk management and patient safety

  • DNV Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with DNV NIAHO® standards
  • Maintain continuous survey readiness
  • Interpret CMS Conditions of Participation
  • Lead gap analyses and corrective actions

  • Oversee documentation and audit readiness
  • Emergency Operations & Incident Command
  • Serve in leadership role in HICS
  • Ensure standardized systemwide response
  • Coordinate with public agencies

  • Lead response to major incidents
  • Training, Exercises & Workforce Preparedness
  • Develop training programs
  • Conduct drills and exercises
  • Lead After-Action Reports

  • Track improvement plans
  • Promote preparedness culture
  • Quality Management & Continuous Improvement
  • Establish KPIs and dashboards
  • Lead performance improvement initiatives

  • Align with patient safety programs
  • Collaboration & External Relations
  • Liaison with public health and emergency agencies
  • Collaborate with internal departments
  • Support crisis communications

  • Represent organization externally
  • Leadership & Administration
  • Manage team members and coordinators
  • Oversee budget
  • Ensure standardization across system

  • Oversee NIMS and HICS training for all applicable Carle leaders.
  • Develop effective training and drills to assure preparedness for emergency events.
  • Liaise effectively with hospital and operational leadership
  • Promote effective emergency preparedness at all Carle locations.
  • Build effective partnerships with stakeholders throughout the region to assure a collaborative approach.

About Us
Find it here.
Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.
Our nearly 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois. We've grown to include eight, award-winning hospitals and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We're developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world's first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center hold Magnet® designations, the nation's highest honor for nursing care. We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. | For more information: human.resources@carle.com.
Compensation and Benefits
The compensation range for this position is $44.83per hour - $77.11per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model. Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.

What Carle Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Carle logo

About Carle

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Each and every employee at Carle makes us better and stronger, so we can take care of our patients and our community. From clinical to professional and technical careers – our team of employees help us change lives. Carle is proud to be named a Great Place to Work®. Alongside Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, and Carle Health Proctor Hospital, the Carle Foundation Hospital holds Magnet® designation, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care.

Industry

Health care and social assistance and hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Urbana, IL, US