Local State Government Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Description The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, administering, and directing all local emergency management, disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, and emergency medical service coordination activities for the county. The EMA Director serves as the primary advisor to county leadership regarding emergency management operations and ensures compliance with applicable Indiana statutes, regulations, and standards under Indiana Code Title 10 and Indiana Code Title 16. The EMA Director develops and maintains emergency operations plans, coordinates interagency preparedness and response efforts, oversees training and exercises, administers emergency management grants, and serves as liaison with local, state, and federal agencies including the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), Indiana Emergency Medical Services Commission, FEMA, law enforcement, fire services, EMS providers, hospitals, and public health agencies.

This position operates in accordance with: Indiana Code Title 10, Article 14 - Emergency Management Indiana Code Title 16, Article 31 - Emergency Medical Services Indiana Department of Homeland Security requirements Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines National Incident Management System (NIMS) standards. Examples of Duties Emergency Management Administration Direct and manage all county emergency management functions in accordance with Indiana emergency management laws and regulations. Develop, implement, maintain, and update the county Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), hazard mitigation plans, continuity plans, and related emergency procedures.

Coordinate preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery activities for natural, technological, and human-caused disasters. Maintain compliance with requirements established by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and applicable federal agencies. Coordinate county participation in the Indiana Intrastate Mutual Aid Compact and other mutual aid agreements.

Establish and maintain emergency communication and warning systems. Coordinate Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation and management during incidents and disasters. Monitor emerging threats, hazards, and public safety concerns affecting the county.

Interagency Coordination Serve as the primary liaison between county government and local, state, federal, nonprofit, and private-sector emergency management partners. Coordinate activities with fire departments, EMS agencies, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, utilities, public health agencies, volunteer organizations, and neighboring jurisdictions. Facilitate county emergency management advisory council meetings and preparedness committees.

Coordinate disaster response operations utilizing the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS). Emergency Medical Services Coordination Coordinate with emergency medical service providers to support compliance with Indiana EMS standards and regulations. Assist in planning and coordination of countywide EMS communications, training, transportation protocols, and emergency medical response systems.

Promote public education initiatives related to emergency preparedness, first aid, disaster response, and public safety. Support EMS preparedness planning for mass casualty incidents, public health emergencies, and large-scale disasters. Planning, Training, and Exercises Conduct hazard vulnerability assessments and risk analyses.

Develop and coordinate emergency preparedness training programs and disaster exercises for county personnel, emergency responders, and partner agencies. Ensure compliance with required FEMA, IDHS, and NIMS/ICS training standards. Coordinate public preparedness education and outreach programs.

Maintain resource inventories and emergency contact databases. Grants and Financial Management Prepare and administer emergency management grants and reimbursement programs. Maintain documentation and records necessary for grant compliance and disaster reimbursement.

Develop and manage departmental budgets and expenditures. Coordinate disaster damage assessments and recovery documentation. Disaster Response and Recovery Coordinate emergency response activities during declared disasters and emergencies.

Assist local officials with emergency declarations, travel advisories, evacuations, sheltering operations, and recovery activities. Coordinate post-disaster recovery operations and mitigation efforts. Serve in an on-call capacity for emergency incidents and disaster activations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Thorough knowledge of emergency management principles, practices, and regulations. Knowledge of Indiana emergency management statutes, emergency medical service laws, and federal emergency management requirements. Knowledge of NIMS, ICS, emergency operations planning, and disaster recovery processes.

Ability to coordinate multi-agency emergency operations under stressful conditions. Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and public speaking skills. Ability to develop policies, procedures, and emergency plans.

Ability to manage grants, budgets, and compliance documentation. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, emergency responders, healthcare providers, and the public. Ability to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

Typical Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in emergency management, public safety, public administration, homeland security, fire science, healthcare administration, or related field preferred. Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, public safety, EMS administration, fire service, law enforcement, military, or related field. FEMA ICS and NIMS certifications required or ability to obtain within established timeframe.

Valid Indiana driver's license. Ability to pass required background checks. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Professional Emergency Manager (PEM), or similar credential preferred.

Experience managing Emergency Operations Centers and disaster recovery operations. Experience with grant administration and FEMA reimbursement processes. Experience working with emergency medical service systems and public health preparedness.

Supplemental Information WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in office, field, and emergency response environments. Position requires availability outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency activations. May be exposed to hazardous environments, adverse weather conditions, and disaster scenes.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY AND COMPLIANCE: Statutory Authority The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director position is established and governed under Indiana Code Title 10, Article 14 and supported by Indiana Code Title 16, Article 31 regarding emergency medical services coordination. The EMA Director is responsible for carrying out local emergency management functions including disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, and coordination activities on behalf of the county and in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). Indiana law defines emergency management as the coordination of all emergency functions necessary to prevent, minimize, and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters.

These functions include firefighting, law enforcement, medical services, rescue operations, communications, evacuation, emergency transportation, and restoration of critical services. Indiana statutes authorize local emergency management organizations to: Develop and maintain local emergency operations and disaster response plans. Coordinate disaster preparedness and recovery activities.

Participate in intrastate mutual aid agreements. Coordinate communications and emergency warning systems. Support emergency medical service planning and coordination.

Work jointly with state and federal agencies during emergencies and disasters. Additionally, Indiana Code recognizes emergency medical services as a matter of vital public health and safety and establishes statewide EMS standards, coordination requirements, and operational expectations for emergency response systems. Compliance Responsibilities The EMA Director is responsible for ensuring county compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal emergency management and emergency medical services regulations, standards, and preparedness requirements.

Compliance responsibilities include: Maintaining current county Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), hazard mitigation plans, and continuity plans in accordance with Indiana Department of Homeland Security standards. Ensuring compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) requirements. Coordinating emergency preparedness, training, and exercise programs required by FEMA and IDHS.

Administering and maintaining compliance documentation for state and federal grants and reimbursement programs. Coordinating with emergency medical service providers to ensure compliance with Indiana EMS regulations and operational standards under Indiana Code Title 16, Article 31. Maintaining emergency communication, resource inventory, and mutual aid documentation as required by state law.

Supporting disaster reporting, damage assessments, and reimbursement processes following emergencies or declared disasters. Ensuring county emergency management activities align with applicable federal requirements including FEMA preparedness guidance and Homeland Security directives. Maintaining records, reports, and operational documentation required by state and federal oversight agencies.

The EMA Director must also ensure coordination with public safety agencies, healthcare systems, schools, utilities, volunteer organizations, and neighboring jurisdictions to maintain a compliant and effective emergency management system capable of responding to all hazards and disaster events. DIFFICULTY OF WORK: The work performed by the EMA Director is broad in scope, highly technical, and frequently complex. The position requires interpretation and application of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and emergency management standards.

The EMA Director must: Analyze rapidly changing emergency situations Prioritize competing operational needs Coordinate multiple agencies and resources simultaneously Develop solutions under stressful and time-sensitive conditions Maintain operational readiness for a wide variety of hazards and disasters Manage sensitive information and public communications Ensure compliance with evolving emergency management and homeland security requirements Work requires substantial independent judgment, initiative, leadership ability, and the capacity to make critical decisions during emergencies with limited information and significant public impact. RESPONSIBILITY: The EMA Director is responsible for the administration, coordination, and oversight of county emergency management and disaster preparedness activities. The position requires independent judgment, strategic planning, regulatory compliance oversight, and decision-making during emergencies and disasters.

Responsibilities include: Development and implementation of emergency management plans and procedures Coordination of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery operations Emergency Operations Center (EOC) management Compliance with local, state, and federal emergency management requirements Administration of grants, budgets, and disaster reimbursement programs Coordination of interagency emergency response activities Public information and preparedness initiatives Oversight of emergency training and exercise programs Errors in judgment or performance could result in: Delayed emergency response Regulatory noncompliance Loss of funding or reimbursement Property damage Injury or loss of life Disruption of government operations or public services PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS: The EMA Director maintains frequent contact with elected officials, department heads, emergency responders, healthcare providers, public safety agencies, state and federal agencies, community organizations, and the public. Working relationships include coordination with: County Commissioners and county leadership Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fire departments Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Law enforcement agencies Public health officials Hospitals and healthcare systems School corporations Utility providers Volunteer and nonprofit organizations Neighboring emergency management agencies Media representatives and the public The EMA Director must exercise professionalism, diplomacy, leadership, and sound judgment in both routine and emergency situations. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The EMA Director performs duties in both office and field environments.

Work may involve extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting, and operating office and emergency communication equipment. The position requires the ability to respond to emergency scenes, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, disaster sites, shelters, and other locations under adverse conditions. The EMA Director may be exposed to: Severe weather conditions Hazardous environments Emergency and disaster scenes Smoke, debris, biological hazards, or hazardous materials High stress and rapidly changing situations The position requires availability outside normal working hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and 24-hour on-call emergency response during disasters and emergencies.

Boone County, Indiana, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.