Assistant Emergency Manager

CLOSING DATE: January 9th, 2025 at 5:00 pm

SALARY: $64,112 - $69,745 *Additional salary growth available through regular increases within the classification up to $92,262

Job Summary

Assists the Emergency Manager with planning, organizing, and administering the Emergency Management Program. Works independently and maintains effective relationships with officials, emergency responders, partner agencies, businesses, and the public. Serves as acting Emergency Manager in their absence.

Scope of Responsibility

Instructions vary in frequency depending on task complexity. Responsibilities include selecting the methods and steps needed to complete assignments and using established policies and procedures to guide planning and problem-solving.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Emergency & Disaster Operations: 

• Coordinate with Cass/Fargo/West Fargo Emergency Managers to coordinate resources and support operations during emergencies.
• Assist with Federal Disaster Relief efforts prior to and during Presidential Disaster Declarations.
• Staff the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on short notice and serve as a WEBEOC user for posting and updating information.
• Support development and implementation of major projects, policies, training, and data systems.
• Research emerging trends, technology, and equipment; analyze costs and benefits; recommend program improvements.

Day-to-Day Operations: 

• Support development and implementation of major projects, policies, training, and data systems.
• Research emerging trends, technology, and equipment; analyze costs and benefits; recommend program improvements.
• Provide project management support for emergency management projects and initiatives

Systems & Program Management: 

• Manage the mass notification system for internal use as well as public contacts, to include user training, database oversight, public assistance, and vendor coordination.
• Oversee Salamander credentialing for EMS, rural fire, and volunteer groups; expand resource tracking for FEMA reimbursement; train users and generate system reports.
• Support development and operation of the Virtual EOC and associated ICS structures.

Grants & Financial Administration: 

• Assist in applying for and administering grants to include EMPG, Homeland Security grants, and other preparedness or disaster-related funding.
• Maintain grant files for audit readiness; prepare progress and reimbursement reports; track expenditures and revenue.
• Perform basic bookkeeping and accounting to support grant reimbursement processes.
• Provide assistance to meet grant requirement; collaborate with partners on whole community grant projects

Communications & Public Information: 

• Serve as Assistant Communications Officer and Assistant Warning Officer.
• Maintain departmental websites and social media account; provide timely emergency updates and educational content, including during non-business hours.
• Collaborate on public engagement initiatives to establish community preparedness and resilience
• Build and maintain productive relationships with partner agencies and the public; communicate procedures clearly in writing and verbally.

Training, Certification & Exercises: 

• Support the development and facilitation of disaster exercises.
• Complete annual training and emergency management related course.
• Attend state and national emergency management conferences to maintain proficiency.
• Obtain NDEMA Level 2 Emergency Management Professional certification within three years and maintain good standing.
• Serve as an exercise evaluator or support exercise facilitation for neighboring jurisdictions.

Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Support: 

• Support LEPC meeting development, facilitation, and documentation.
• Assist in developing hazardous materials procedures with local responders and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain access to the NDDES system that collects SARA Tier II files
• Manage Tier II reporting for Cass County; reconcile reports with fire departments and SERC.

Department Leadership & Planning: 

• Support long-term planning, staffing considerations, budgeting, and identification of funding sources.
• Assist with revenue/expenditure forecasting, equipment planning, replacement scheduling, and writing specifications.
• Support maintenance and updates to the Emergency Operations Plan and other emergency plans; support staff training, exercise planning and multi-hazard mitigation planning.

Administrative & Clerical Support: 

• Coordinate meetings and logistics; prepare agendas and notifications.
• Maintain records management systems and prepare correspondence.
• Track purchase orders and assist with reports on emergency activities.
• Provide technical assistance as needed.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Ability to plan and coordinate events supporting Emergency Management programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with supervisors, colleagues, partner agencies, and the public.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Skilled at managing multiple tasks and priorities of varying complexity.
• Demonstrated experience in large project development and management.
• Proficient in MS Office, accounting software, and related tools.
• Creative ability to produce high-quality presentations, print materials, web content, and social media posts.
• Knowledge of Emergency Management practices and ability to serve as an exercise evaluator.
• Able to prepare press releases and official correspondence.
• Capable of managing requests and priorities across both Cass County and City of Fargo Emergency Management offices.
• Proficient in social media platforms and managing consistent, multi-platform posting.
• Strong scheduling and organizational skills for supporting two agency heads.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public/business administration, communications, or related field, plus one year of related experience. Extensive relevant experience may substitute for education.

Preferred:

Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public/business administration, communications, or related field, plus one year of related experience.

Knowledge of effectively working with the public, emergency management, public safety communications, budgeting, problem resolution, and public administration.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Demands and conditions consistent with a typical office environment. Some outdoor work for training exercises.

Tools, Equipment, Vehicles, and Machines

Computer, scanner, video machines (audio, projector, EOC setup), telephone, fax, copier, voice mail, e-mail, various computer programs, calculator, two-way radio, ID card printer, virtual applications.

Review of Work

• Work is reviewed by EM in periodic discussion, staff meetings, and incidental contacts through analysis of work activity and outcomes. Purpose of review is to ensure quality and timeliness of work and to measure adequate performance levels.
• Yearly performance reviews.

Laws, Ordinances, or Regulations

Federal, state, and local disaster procedures and requirements:

• Public Law 100-707 Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act
• Public Law 106-390 Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
• NDCC 37-17.1 the North Dakota disaster Act of 1985 amended NDCC 44-04

State/Federal DES guidelines associated with emergency operations plans.

Personal Contacts

Co-workers, general public, state, city and township officials, department heads, other county officials, business product vendors and professionals, various emergency groups, board members, committee members. State DES officers and other County emergency managers. Volunteers, interns, local media, area businesses, hospitals associated with Cass County and the City of Fargo,

Licenses or Certificates

• Must complete Professional Development Series consisting of eleven mandated FEMA training courses. Certification necessary to receive EMPG funding. Yearly training requirements to include but are not limited to: Mandatory training exercises, and annual Emergency Management Association conference/training.
• Must obtain Certified Emergency Management Professional from ND Emergency Management Association.
• Valid driver’s license

Salary : $64,112 - $92,262