Suwannee County

Suwannee County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants for the following EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

The essential function of the position within the organization is to manage the preparedness for, response to, and recovery from natural, technological, and man‑made disasters or major emergencies that may occur within the boundaries of Suwannee County. The position is responsible for supervising office staff, developing and implementing emergency preparedness plans and collaborative programs, directing Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations, and performing related professional, administrative, and technical work as required, including reporting on program plans and activities to the supervisor and other county officials.

The position formulates long‑range goals for the organization; develops policy explanations, papers and negotiates with chief administrative officers and/or elected officials. This position shall be required to assist with emergency support functions in the event of a declared emergency and/or any other emergency duties as assigned.

The position requires availability for 24‑hour on‑call emergency duties, which may involve irregular hours and work at locations beyond the official duty station.

Minimum Requirements as outlined in FS 252:

• Fifty hours of training in business or public administration, business or public management, or emergency management or preparedness. A bachelor’s degree may be substituted for this training requirement.
• Four years of verifiable experience in comprehensive emergency management services that includes improving preparedness for emergency and disaster protection, prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery, with direct supervisory responsibility for responding to at least one emergency or disaster.
• A master’s degree in emergency preparedness or management, business or public administration, communications, finance, homeland security, public health, criminal justice, meteorology, or environmental science may be substituted for the two years of experience required in this sub‑subparagraph but not for the required supervisory experience.
• A valid accreditation as a Certified Master Exercise Practitioner through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers, or Florida Professional Emergency Manager through the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association may be substituted for the requirements of this sub‑subparagraph. An appointee must maintain in good standing any certification used as a substitution for the requirements of this sub‑subparagraph until they meet the required time and experience.
• Completion of 150 hours in comprehensive emergency management training provided or approved by the FEMA or its successor. This training must include the completion of the following National Incident Management System courses or equivalent courses that the FEMA establishes through the Emergency Management Institute: ICS‑100: Introduction to the Incident Command System; ICS‑200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents; ICS‑300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents; ICS‑400: Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff; IS‑700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction; and IS‑800: National Response Framework, An Introduction.

Training required must have been completed no earlier than the 10 years preceding the appointment’s date, whether it is an initial appointment or a reappointment.

• Ten or more years of technical and/or supervisory experience, or experience in a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor, or higher, degree in Business, Public Administration, Hazardous Materials, Emergency Operations, Public Safety, EMS, or Fire Services, earned from an appropriately accredited college or university.
• Experience managing a comprehensive emergency management program.
• Certified Emergency Manager obtained through the International Association of Emergency Managers, or Florida Professional Emergency Manager obtained through the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association, or the ability to obtain a certification within two years of hire.
• L‑449 ICS Curricula Train‑The‑Trainer
• FDEM and/or FEMA Advanced Professional Development Series

Salary range is $68,099.20 to $105,560.00, based on experience and qualifications, plus a generous benefits package. Only experienced applicants will be considered.

The Suwannee County Board of Commissioners is an equal employment opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any qualified employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, handicap status, income status, or family status. Spanish speaking individuals are encouraged to apply. Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment, failure to successfully test free of illegal or controlled drugs will result in non-employment of the applicant for a minimum of 1 year.