Emergency Management Coordinator

*Current Skagit County employees are encouraged to apply*

Emergency Management Coordinators work under the direction of the Chief of Emergency Management and may also report to the Emergency Management Supervisor for specialized projects. This position requires strong planning and public communication skills, with a primary focus on all-hazards planning. The Emergency Management Coordinator supports the development, maintenance, and implementation of actionable emergency plans and ensures timely, accurate, and accessible public warning and notification during emergencies.

The Department of Emergency Management’s mission is to serve Skagit County, and the cities, towns, and residents therein by working collaboratively to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the impacts of hazards and threats.

• Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3 ($37.03/hour. - $39.67/hour.) dependent on qualifications
• Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to 8 total steps (top step $47.11/hr.).The Emergency Management Coordinator is Range 16 of the PROTEC - DEM Salary Schedule.

The following duties represent a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities assigned to this classification. Incumbents may not be required to perform every duty listed and may be assigned additional duties specific to the position.

• Prepares and maintains the County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and Hazard Mitigation Plan, including annex development and coordination in compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.
• Leads the continuous process of identifying community-specific threats and hazards and ensuring preparedness targets are met (THIRA, SPR, HVA).
• Reviews and guides emergency plans for County departments and partner agencies, and coordinates planning with local jurisdictions, regional partners, the State of Washington, and federally recognized tribes.
• Develops and promotes emergency preparedness outreach; coordinates awareness campaigns such as Flood Awareness Week and National Preparedness Month; and collaborates with local, regional, state, and tribal Public Information Officers.
• Facilitates and participates in preparedness meetings and committees; maintains documentation; briefs the Chief on key issues; and presents to government, community, volunteer, and business groups.
• Designs, conducts, and evaluates training and exercises in accordance with HSEEP.
• Assists with scheduling and delivery of NIMS, FEMA, state prescribed, and/or locally developed training.
• Develops plans and training for programs such as CRS, NFIP, evacuation planning, LEPC, CPOD, damage assessment, COOP, and SERA III.
• Collects and maintains required data for SARA Title III Extremely Hazardous Substances and updates the Hazardous Materials Emergency Plan.
• Schedules and facilitates Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meetings.
• Manages a countywide CERT program, including training, exercises, and deployment oversight.
• Maintains the EOC and deployable emergency equipment and supplies in a constant state of readiness.
• Manages resource and equipment inventories and maintains the department resource and materials book.

• Participates in 24/7 Duty Officer rotation.
• Performs assigned Emergency Operations Center (EOC) roles.
• Supports EOC and field Incident Command with policy guidance, situational awareness, resource coordination, communications, and community notification and warnings.
• Oversees weekly amateur radio equipment checks; supports regional communications planning; recruits and trains amateur radio volunteers; and directs or delegates oversight of ARES/RACES when mobilized.
• Assists with mass care activities such as shelter operations and evacuations.

• Supports and coordinates disaster recovery efforts, including long-term recovery planning and collaboration with recovery groups and partners.
• Develops, manages, and implements the initial damage assessment program to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Coordinates with County departments and interlocal partners to prepare and submit disaster assistance applications; tracks and manages FEMA claims; and prepares required reports and documentation.

• Prepares and maintains the County’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Coordinates development and implementation of hazard mitigation projects identified in the Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Coordinates mitigation related programs such as CRS and NFIP.
• Supports implementation of property acquisition (buyout) and elevation projects to reduce risk in hazard-prone areas.
• Tracks and reports on mitigation actions and project progress to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.

• Coordinates with critical infrastructure partners, including hydroelectric dams, utilities, and refineries, to support preparedness, risk reduction, and continuity of essential services.
• Coordinates with public safety partners to develop Incident Action Plans (IAPs) or Event Action Plans (EAPs) for planned events, supporting risk reduction and public safety.

• Researches, prepares, implements, and administers grant applications; maintains financial and program records; manages reimbursements; and ensures compliance with reporting requirements.
• Provides administrative support for the Chief and staff; assists with computer-based tasks and specialized emergency management software.
• Assists with preparation and administration of the departmental budget; performs bookkeeping, voucher processing, payroll, and accounts receivable as directed.
• Responds to Public Records Requests in compliance with RCW 42.56.
• Attends professional conferences, seminars, and other training as requested.
• Prepares materials for briefings, testimony, and presentations.

SUPERVISORY:
Provides training to DEM team members, volunteers, and interns to increase their capabilities and potential, as directed. This position may oversee the work of volunteers, interns, and part-time staff.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

May be tasked with performing other related duties as assigned. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Keeps Chief apprised in a timely manner of critical or important duty related activities, and of essential and/or critical information.

Collaborates with all County staff members, partner agencies, and the public in a positive and professional manner.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• 7 to 8 years of experience in Emergency Management without a degree, or
• 3 to 5 years of experience in Emergency Management and a bachelor's degree in a closely related field, such as Emergency Management, Public Health, Natural Resources, Climate Resiliency, Planning, Human Services, Education, etc.

• Completion of FEMA courses IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 within 3 months of hire date.
• Completion of FEMA courses ICS-300 and ICS-400 within 2 years of hire date.
• Completion of Professional Development Series (PDS) Emergency Management courses or equivalent training within 1 year of hire date.
• Completion of Emergency Management Basic Academy within 3 years of hire date.
• Completion of current (within the last five years, unless FEMA has updated the curriculum within that timeframe), fundamental and advanced FEMA classroom and Independent Study, Homeland Security Consortium, and other professional courses, as assigned by the Chief, appropriate to a mid-level emergency manager.
• Previous grant writing and tracking experience, with successful results.
• Previous experience in community outreach; proficiency in public speaking and professional presentations.
• Must be able to pass a County background check.

REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the inequitable impact of disasters and emergencies on vulnerable communities.

• Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR), and Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVA)
• Management of an EOC activation to coordinate an emergency response to an incident or disaster.
• Floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, and/or the National Flood Insurance Program
• General hazard preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery planning
• Climate Essentials for Emergency Managers (FEMA)
• A thorough understanding of the Incident Command System andthe National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• A thorough understanding of the National Preparedness Goal, the National Preparedness System, and the National Preparedness Framework.
• Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP).

• Relevant local, state, and federal emergency management laws.
• Intermediate levelgrant and contract management practices, budgeting practices, and records management.
• Computer applications such as Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.

REQUIRES ABILITY TO:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communications with officials, local municipalities, other employees, and the public.
• Use, understand, and interpret local, state, and federal statutes and codes.
• Write, understand, and interpret complex materials such as grant applications and deliverables, notices of funding opportunities, and other written material inherent to the position.
• Quickly analyze and assess information and make sound decisions at all times.
• Practice sound stewardship of public resources, within the laws, regulations, and best practices of government accountability.
• Work as a team member in a positive and professional manner.
• Communicate, collaborate, and coordinate with others in a caring and compassionate manner.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Provide clear, concise, and accurate communication to the public and partner agencies.

• Maintain confidentiality when appropriate.

• Use computer applications such as Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook as well as specialized emergency management software.
• Prepare, compile and/or edit comprehensive reports, records, correspondence, narratives and statistical reports with a high degree accuracy and professionalism.
• Proofread effectively for content and grammatical composition and assure all pertinent information from appropriate sources is included.

• Use appropriate safety equipment and follow established work safety policies, practices and procedures.
• Operate office equipment including two-way radios, multi-line telephone system, fax machine, photocopier, document scanner and calculator.
• Organize, prioritize, and coordinate work assignments with little or no supervision.
• Work effectively in a multi-task, high-stress environment.
• Safely load, hitch, and tow a trailer.
• Follow directions from a supervisor, or EOC member in a superior role.
• Professionally accept constructive feedback.
• Work occasional weekends, evenings, and holidays during non-emergent and emergent times.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid Washington State Driver’s License is required. Must have a driving record that would not impact ability to operate County vehicles.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with outings to meetings, exercises, public education functions, and training opportunities. Though infrequently dispatched to Incident Command Posts, duration of dispatch could extend beyond normal work hours for several days at a time, including the potential to work nights and weekends for long durations of time.

Work may be also performed in a field setting under a full range of environmental conditions including wind, rain, heat and cold temperatures. Occasionally may work in confined spaces, in large crowds, in close proximity to structural, environmental, electrical, noise and mechanical hazards including bio-hazardous materials.

Requirements include participation in a one-week repeating rotation as Duty Officer that requires: carrying a county issued cell phone and radio; 24hr response expectations while on duty; abstinence from medications or substances that would prevent driving or making rational decisions; ability to report to the Emergency Operations Center within 1 hour, and to any other location in Skagit County within in 1 hour 30 minutes; compliance with all other report to duty conditions as required of the position.

Physical effort is required to lift materials and equipment more than 25 pounds.