Deputy Director - Safety, Emergency Management, and Operational Services

State of Nebraska

2d•$120,000 - $135,000

About The Position

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to serve as the Deputy Director of Safety, Emergency Management, and Operational Services. Reporting to the Director of Operational Services, this position provides statewide leadership for emergency management, safety, and key operational support functions that ensure DHHS facilities, staff, and operations are prepared, protected, and supported. This role balances enterprise emergency preparedness and risk management with oversight of critical operational services, such as, safety and security, fleet management, and strategic operational planning. The Deputy Director will lead efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness, safety culture, and operational resilience across the agency’s diverse locations, including 24-hour facilities. The Deputy Director will partner closely with division leadership, facility administrators, and operational teams to ensure DHHS environments are safe, secure, compliant, and well-maintained, while supporting long-term planning and operational continuity across the agency. This individual will be expected to cross-train and obtain high-level knowledge of all areas within Operational Services to provide continuous coverage when needed and identify strengths and weaknesses within those areas. Location: Statewide. Light to moderate travel will be expected based on agency needs. Salary: $120,000-$135,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience, if approved.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business, or a related field, and a minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in emergency management, public safety, law enforcement, operations, building maintenance, security administration, or related fields.
NOTE: Leadership experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‑for‑year basis.
Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional teams and coordinating efforts across multiple locations or divisions.
Strong understanding of safety, security, and risk management practices.
Experience working with emergency response partners, regulatory agencies, or security‑focused organizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and implementing emergency preparedness programs, including COOP and emergency response protocols.
Experience supporting facility operations, maintenance planning, or operational services.
Relevant certifications such as Certified Emergency Manager (AEM/CEM), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Physical Security Professional (PSP), OSHA certifications, or similar.

Responsibilities

Providing strategic leadership for emergency management, safety, and operational support functions across DHHS to ensure safe, compliant, and resilient environments for staff, clients, and operations statewide.
Leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of emergency preparedness programs, including Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), Emergency Action Plans, training exercises, and coordinated incident response efforts across divisions and facilities.
Serving as an advisor to agency leadership on risk management, emergency response, safety compliance, and security planning, ensuring alignment with applicable regulations and best practices.
Collaborating with division leadership, facility administrators, and operational teams to maintain safe, secure, and functional facilities, including planning for maintenance needs, security improvements, and operational enhancements across DHHS locations, including 24-hour facilities
Supporting long-term facility planning and operational continuity, helping prioritize capital improvements, space utilization, safety upgrades, and infrastructure needs across agency facilities.
Providing leadership in facility safety and operational readiness, ensuring facilities meet safety standards, regulatory requirements, and support uninterrupted service delivery.
Providing oversight and strategic direction for agency fleet management, including vehicle safety standards, utilization, and long-term planning.
Coordinating with local, state, and federal partners on emergency management and security initiatives, and lead after-action reviews, vulnerability assessments, and corrective action planning following incidents or exercises.
Promoting a culture of safety, preparedness, and operational excellence through training, communication, and cross-agency collaboration.
Ongoing evaluation across the full program lifecycle, including after-action reviews and operational assessments.