Emergency Management Director

Bannock County, Idaho • Full-Time, Exempt • Reports to Board of County Commissioners

About Bannock County

Bannock County serves more than 90,000 residents and is anchored by Pocatello - a regional hub with a strong industrial base, a major university, and a diverse risk environment that includes wildfire corridors, seismic activity, hazardous materials infrastructure, and severe weather.

The Office of Emergency Management plays a vital role in protecting this community - coordinating preparedness, response, and recovery across local, state, federal, and private-sector partners.

Why This Role Matters

Bannock County is at an inflection point.

Increasing risk complexity, growing interagency coordination demands, and heightened expectations for readiness require a proactive, modern emergency management program. The next Emergency Management Director will play a critical role in strengthening the county's preparedness, improving response coordination, and building long-term resilience.

This is a director-level position with direct access to elected leadership. You will serve as the county's principal advisor on emergency management and as the Commissioners' Authorized Representative to regional, state, and federal partners.

If you are motivated by meaningful public service, real responsibility, and the opportunity to shape outcomes that directly impact lives, this role offers that opportunity.

Position Summary

The Emergency Management Director leads and administers Bannock County's comprehensive emergency management program. This includes all-hazard planning, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordination, hazard mitigation, grant administration, training and exercises, and disaster recovery.

This role carries county-wide influence, helping shape emergency preparedness strategy, policy direction, and resource prioritization. The Director collaborates closely with elected officials, department leaders, first responders, and regional partners to ensure coordinated, effective emergency management across the county.

What Success Looks Like

• Builds strong, trusted relationships across agencies, jurisdictions, and community partners
• Strengthens coordination and communication during emergencies
• Leads the program in proactive planning and mitigation
• Brings structure and clarity to complex, multi-agency situations
• Communicates effectively with both leadership and the public under pressure
• Positions the county to successfully secure and manage state and federal funding

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Preparedness

• Develop, maintain, and update all-hazard emergency plans across mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery,
• Lead Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) processes and integrate findings into strategic planning,
• Update as necessary and implement the County's Emergency Operation Plan, Continuity of Operation Plans and other disaster plans, forms, and community resources, and
• Identify and implement best practices adapted to local conditions.

Emergency Operations

• Manage and staff the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during activations and exercises,
• Serve as the county's central coordination point for emergency management activities,
• Analyze incidents, determine appropriate actions, and communicate clearly under pressure, and
• Respond to emergency activations and sustain operations during extended incidents.

Grants, Budget & Program Management

• Identify, secure, and manage Homeland Security and related grant funding,
• Oversee full lifecycle compliance and reporting requirement,
• Develop and manage departmental budgets and funding strategies, and
• Provide guidance to sub-recipients and partner agencies.

Training, Exercises & Public Engagement

• Design and implement inter-agency and community response and preparedness training programs and exercises that meet state and federal standards,
• Lead community preparedness initiatives and outreach efforts,
• Develop After Action Reports (AARs) and improvement plans, and
• Present information to elected officials, partner agencies, and the public.

Partnerships & Leadership

• Build and maintain relationships with local governments, first responders, private industry, and community organizations,
• Lead multi-jurisdictional coordination efforts and facilitate complex discussions,
• Chair the Bannock County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and
• Provide regular updates and strategic guidance to the Board of County Commissioners.

Compliance & Administration

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements,
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation, and
• Oversee implementation of Department of Homeland Security programs.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge

• Emergency management principles, planning frameworks, and operational procedures,
• FEMA programs, NIMS, and Incident Command System (ICS),
• Federal and state laws related to emergency management and homeland security, and
• Hazard mitigation planning and risk assessment processes.

Technical Skills

• EOC operations and coordination,
• Emergency planning and program development,
• Grant writing and administration, and
• Familiarity with tools such as WebEOC, GIS platforms, FEMA Grants Portal, and IPAWS.

Leadership & Interpersonal Abilities

• Ability to build trust and collaborate across diverse stakeholders,
• Strong written and verbal communication skills,
• Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure, and
• Ability to lead through complexity and manage competing priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, public safety, public administration, or a closely related field,
• Three (3) years of demonstrated leadership, program management, or coordination responsibility,
• Completion of required NIMS/ICS training (ICS-100, 200, 300, 400, IS-700, IS-800),
• Valid driver's license (or ability to obtain prior to start date), and
• Ability to respond to emergency activations, including evenings, weekends, and extended operational periods as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, or related field,
• Seven (7) or more years of relevant experience, and 5 years of leadership experience,
• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certification or progress toward certification,
• FEMA Advanced Professional Series (APS) certificate,
• Experience with Homeland Security and Idaho Office of Emergency Management grant programs, compliance, and systems,
• Operational experience using NIMS/ICS, WebEOC, GIS, IPAWS and FEMA systems in real-world incidents, and
• Military emergency management, public safety, or civil affairs experience.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $66,955.20 annually (Exceptional placement starting salary may be adjusted for highly qualified candidates.)

Grade Classification / Status: 15S / Exempt, Full-time

Bannock County offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• PERSI retirement (defined benefit pension), with optional 401(k) and 457(b) plans
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with optional Flex Spending Account (FSA)
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Generous paid leave and 11 paid holidays
• Supplemental plans available for life, accident, cancer, life, disability, critical illness, dental, or hospital coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• Professional development support, including CEM and FEMA training
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Work Environment

This position is primarily office-based with regular travel throughout the county and region to facilitate training and provide field response as may be required. During emergencies, work is performed in the Emergency Operations Center and may require extended hours in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

How to Apply

Submit a completed Bannock County application, resume, and cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role at: https://bannockcounty.applicantpro.com/jobs/

Application Deadline: Until filled.

Bannock County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans' preference is applied in accordance with Idaho Code.

Salary : $66,955