What are the responsibilities and job description for the Emergency Manager position at Lane County Government?
Lead, Innovate, and Impact Lives - Join Lane County in Shaping a Safer Tomorrow!
Application Review Date: February 2nd, 2026
Interviews Scheduled for: Week of February 9th, 2026
About The Position
Lane County is seeking an experienced Emergency Program Manager to lead the County’s Office of Emergency Management during a time of increasing complexity, risk, and community need.
This role operates in a highly collaborative environment, working closely with the County Administrator, Policy Director, Sheriff, County departments, other jurisdictions, and a complex network of public, private, and non-profit partners.
This senior manager-level leadership role is responsible for the County’s comprehensive emergency management and disaster preparedness program - spanning mitigation, preparedness, and response. The Emergency Manager serves as the County’s primary emergency management authority, acts as Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager and may assume designated leadership roles within the Incident Command System, consistent with County authority and interagency agreements.
The successful candidate will bring demonstrated emergency management expertise, proven people leadership, and the ability to operate calmly and decisively in high-stress, high-visibility environments. Success in this role requires leading complex teams through ambiguity, building trust across departments, jurisdictions, and partner organizations, and take accountability for outcomes. The Emergency Manager is expected to model mature judgment, transparent communication, and partnership-based leadership in both steady-state operations and crisis environments.
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for a seasoned emergency management professional who:
Key responsibilities include:
Emergency management in Lane County is complex, collaborative, and consequential. Lane County serves more than 380,000 residents across urban, rural, and wildfire-prone communities, encompassing multiple municipalities, school districts, higher education institutions, and special districts. Effective emergency management here directly affects the safety, stability, and recovery of diverse communities across the county.
This is a highly visible leadership role that operates under significant public, media, and political scrutiny, particularly during emergencies and disaster recovery efforts. The Emergency Manager must be comfortable communicating clearly, credibly, and calmly in complex, high-pressure situations where decisions and actions have broad community impact.
This role is part of the Policy Division of County Administration, working alongside Housing, Climate Action, Community Resilience & Recovery, Economic Development, Grant Strategy Management, and Intergovernmental Relations - positioning emergency management as a core contributor to long-term community resilience, not just incident response.
The Emergency Manager is expected to model Lane County’s Strategic Plan values:
Passion to Serve
This is an opportunity for a highly experienced emergency management leader to:
The Policy Division of County Administration advances high-priority quality of life issues for the residents of Lane County in support of County Administration, the departments of Lane County government, and partners in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. The Division includes Housing, Climate Action, Community Resilience and Recovery, Community & Economic Development, Grant Strategy Management, Intergovernmental Relations. and Emergency Management.
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Selection Process
Equal Employment Opportunity
Lane County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
Strategic Plan
In alignment with Lane County's Strategic Plan, incumbent(s) will be expected to demonstrate the following core behaviors: Passion to Serve, Driven to Connect, and Focused on Solutions.
The 2022 -2024 Strategic Plan(Download PDF reader) focuses on the areas that Lane County will pursue as a way to deliver on our vision for the residents of Lane County. To meet these challenges, we know that the basis of our efforts lies in leveraging our people and partnerships to achieve our Strategic Priorities. We also recognize that the quality and commitment of our staff is essential to a shared future where Lane County is the best place in which to live, work, and play.
Veteran Preference Information
Application Review Date: February 2nd, 2026
Interviews Scheduled for: Week of February 9th, 2026
About The Position
Lane County is seeking an experienced Emergency Program Manager to lead the County’s Office of Emergency Management during a time of increasing complexity, risk, and community need.
This role operates in a highly collaborative environment, working closely with the County Administrator, Policy Director, Sheriff, County departments, other jurisdictions, and a complex network of public, private, and non-profit partners.
This senior manager-level leadership role is responsible for the County’s comprehensive emergency management and disaster preparedness program - spanning mitigation, preparedness, and response. The Emergency Manager serves as the County’s primary emergency management authority, acts as Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager and may assume designated leadership roles within the Incident Command System, consistent with County authority and interagency agreements.
The successful candidate will bring demonstrated emergency management expertise, proven people leadership, and the ability to operate calmly and decisively in high-stress, high-visibility environments. Success in this role requires leading complex teams through ambiguity, building trust across departments, jurisdictions, and partner organizations, and take accountability for outcomes. The Emergency Manager is expected to model mature judgment, transparent communication, and partnership-based leadership in both steady-state operations and crisis environments.
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for a seasoned emergency management professional who:
- Has nine (9) years of progressively responsible education and/or experience in emergency management and disaster preparedness, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory, management, or leadership role
- Has led all-hazards emergency management programs, including planning, training, exercises, response coordination, and recovery
- Is an experienced people leader who can supervise, develop, coach, and hold staff accountable
- Can confidently make decisions under pressure, manage competing priorities, and communicate clearly with leadership, partners, and the public
- Understands the role of culture, equity, and trust in emergency response and community resilience
- Exercises independent judgment while maintaining close coordination and communication with County leadership.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing accountable, collaborative leadership across County departments, other jurisdictions, and public, private, non-profit, and governmental partners, including proactively addressing challenges, resolving conflicts, and ensuring alignment with County priorities
- Directing and budgeting countywide emergency management programs and initiatives
- Leading the development, maintenance, and implementation of critical plans (Emergency Operations Plan, Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan)
- Coordinating training, exercises, and readiness activities for County staff and partners
- Overseeing emergency alerting and communications systems
- Serving as EOC Manager or Incident Commander during emergencies
- Supervising emergency management staff, including hiring, performance management, training, and corrective action
- Representing Lane County on regional, state, and intergovernmental committees
- Advising County leadership and the Board of Commissioners on risk, preparedness, and emergency management strategy
- Managing grants, budgets, reimbursements, and disaster cost recovery
- Monitoring and responding to regulatory, legal, and policy changes impacting emergency management
Emergency management in Lane County is complex, collaborative, and consequential. Lane County serves more than 380,000 residents across urban, rural, and wildfire-prone communities, encompassing multiple municipalities, school districts, higher education institutions, and special districts. Effective emergency management here directly affects the safety, stability, and recovery of diverse communities across the county.
This is a highly visible leadership role that operates under significant public, media, and political scrutiny, particularly during emergencies and disaster recovery efforts. The Emergency Manager must be comfortable communicating clearly, credibly, and calmly in complex, high-pressure situations where decisions and actions have broad community impact.
This role is part of the Policy Division of County Administration, working alongside Housing, Climate Action, Community Resilience & Recovery, Economic Development, Grant Strategy Management, and Intergovernmental Relations - positioning emergency management as a core contributor to long-term community resilience, not just incident response.
The Emergency Manager is expected to model Lane County’s Strategic Plan values:
Passion to Serve
- Driven to Connect
- Focused on Solutions
This is an opportunity for a highly experienced emergency management leader to:
- Lead work that directly protects lives and critical services
- Shape countywide preparedness and resilience strategy
- Work with engaged partners and executive leadership
- Make a lasting impact in a mission-driven public service role
The Policy Division of County Administration advances high-priority quality of life issues for the residents of Lane County in support of County Administration, the departments of Lane County government, and partners in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. The Division includes Housing, Climate Action, Community Resilience and Recovery, Community & Economic Development, Grant Strategy Management, Intergovernmental Relations. and Emergency Management.
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
- Hybrid/telework may be available based on discussion with supervisor.
- As needed during emergencies.
- This is a non-represented position* Education, Experience & Special Requirements:
- Nine years of education and/or experience in emergency management and disaster preparedness, including three years of experience in a supervisory, management, or leadership role; or a combination sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.
- Possession of a current Oregon driver’s license.
- Licensure or certification related to the area assigned.
- Incumbents may be subject to travel.
Selection Process
Equal Employment Opportunity
Lane County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
Strategic Plan
In alignment with Lane County's Strategic Plan, incumbent(s) will be expected to demonstrate the following core behaviors: Passion to Serve, Driven to Connect, and Focused on Solutions.
The 2022 -2024 Strategic Plan(Download PDF reader) focuses on the areas that Lane County will pursue as a way to deliver on our vision for the residents of Lane County. To meet these challenges, we know that the basis of our efforts lies in leveraging our people and partnerships to achieve our Strategic Priorities. We also recognize that the quality and commitment of our staff is essential to a shared future where Lane County is the best place in which to live, work, and play.
Veteran Preference Information