Portland Bureau of Emergency Management Director (Director I)

The Position

Job Appointment: This position is exempt from Civil Service and is an "At Will" position. It serves at the discretion of the hiring authority subject to the City of Portland Human Resources Administrative Rules and Portland City Charter and Code.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday Fulltime. Work hours will vary to meet business needs.

Work Location: In-person 9911 SE 99th Avenue, Portland, OR 97266.

Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefit for this position.

Language Pay Premium Eligible: This position is or may be eligible for Language Pay Differential for qualifying employees.

Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to attach a cover letter and resume. and answer three (3) supplemental questions. Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.

About The Position

The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) is seeking our next Director. Promoting readiness, coordinating response, and building resilience for Portland, PBEM develops and implements strategic planning, programs, and policies to continually advance the city's mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.

Reporting to the Deputy City Administrator for the Public Safety Service Area, the Director oversees all bureau operations and personnel, manages external relations with City officials, partner jurisdictions, and other agencies, and ensures effective emergency response planning. The Director is responsible for using all available resources—staff, equipment, policies, and procedures—to fulfill PBEM’s mission.

This position carries broad administrative and programmatic authority, including developing policies and work rules, ensuring adequate training and resources, and supporting the functionality of diverse workgroups. The Director ensures that managers, supervisors, and staff implement strategies that meet PBEM’s operational challenges and maintain high-quality service. Represents the City of Portland with the Regional Disaster Planning Organization (RDPO) and supervises RDPO interface with city bureaus and services.

Additional information about PBEM’s organization and operations can be found at the bureau’s website.

https://www.portland.gov/pbem

The job offer for this position will be contingent on passing a background check and psychological examination.

Essential Functions Of The PBEM Director Include

• Leadership and management - Collaborative, team-builder; proven manager of people who delegates and develops staff.
• Strategy, accountability, and results - orientation - Experience in developing creative and innovative solutions in an efficient and timely manner. Proficient in adapting city practices, protocols and systems while adapting to ever-changing needs.
• Community engagement and public outreach - Establishing a culture where differing perspectives are respected and taken into consideration
• Budget and Financial Expertise - Oversees the bureau’s budget and financial management, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet operational needs. Directs financial planning, monitors expenditures, and coordinates with city leadership to maintain fiscal responsibility while supporting bureau priorities in a public safety landscape
• Local and Regional Government Knowledge - Familiarity with local and regional partners and reinforcing and strengthening regional coordination in a challenging environment
• Crisis Response Proficiency - Readiness in ensuring the community is well-prepared for disasters and other emergencies and consistent incident command communications
  
  

Virtual Zoom Informational Opportunity

Come meet the Deputy City Administrator for the Public Safety Service Area, PBEM’s Interim Director, and senior recruiter! We'll be talking about the position duties and responsibilities, day to day life in the role, review the announcement, discuss how to apply, and answer questions you may have about the position.

Wednesday May 6th, 2026

12 PM - 1 PM PST

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85443124793

Meeting ID: 854 4312 4793

Questions?

Anna Morgan, PHR, Senior Recruiter

Bureau of Human Resources

Anna.Morgan @portlandoregon.gov

To Qualify

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible management experience in a large, public government agency or municipality
• Demonstrated knowledge of emergency management systems and emergency response
• Experience navigating politically sensitive situations
• Experience in thedevelopment, management, and administration of public safety budgets, including forecasting, resource allocation, and mid-year adjustments in alignment with programmatic priorities and operational needs
• Experience building and maintaining trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders (including frontline, administrative, and support staff, elected officials, community members, and media) through transparency, accountability, and integrity.
• Experience leading change management in a complex public entity while engaging in current practices, protocols, and systems
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• NIMS/ICS Courses Completion
  
  

The Recruitment Process

• STEP 1: Apply online between Monday, April 27, 2026 – Tuesday, May 26, 2026
  
  

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Note: Do not include your age, date of birth, or the dates you attended or graduated from school. Only provide this information if it is specifically requested to meet job requirements or to follow federal, state, or local laws or rules.
• Cover Letter
• Details are key! The city uses a merit-based system, so your cover letter should be thorough and specifically address each qualification listed in the "To Qualify" section of the job announcement. Your cover letter can exceed one page, to ensure you are able to provide the detailed information for every qualification. Follow the instructions, as a subject matter expert will be evaluating your details to confirm that you meet the minimum requirements.
• Answer to three (3) Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)
  

Optional Application Materials

• Veteran documents to request for Veteran Preference (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.)
  
  

We have recently updated our veteran preference process. Starting March 3rd, 2025 If you made the eligible list and met the eligibility to receive veteran preference, you will no longer need to submit veteran documents for future recruitments.

If you need to update or remove your veteran preference for a specific recruitment or from your master profile, please contact the recruiter listed in the job announcement.

Application Tips

• If you apply and are notified you meet minimum qualifications/placed on the eligible list, please do not reapply. Any applications received after being placed on the eligible list will not be reviewed and will be rejected as a duplicate application.
• If you apply and are notified you do not meet qualifications and the recruitment is still open, you may reapply and update your materials.
• Your cover letter should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your resume should support the details described in your cover letter.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act . Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach materials not requested.
• All completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process. E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting; instead, use AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
  
  

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Early June

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and cover letter, weighted 100%.
• Your resume and cover letter will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.
  
  

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Late June/Early July

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
  
  

Step 4: Selection (Interview): To Be Determined

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates to interview.
  
  

Step 5: Offer of Employment: To Be Determined

• Some positions will require those offered employment to complete and sign a criminal background statement before being considered for employment.
  
  

Step 6: Start Date: To Be Determined

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.
• Timeline is approximate and subject to change.
  
  

Additional Information

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations
• Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
  
  

An Equal Opportunity Employer