SMC EM Emergency Coordinator - Unclassified (Open)

County of San Mateo • San Mateo, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

San Mateo County Emergency Management (SMC EM) is seeking an experienced Emergency Coordinator. This role is for an individual who has navigated real crises, learned from challenging experiences, adapted under pressure, and is seeking further growth. The Emergency Coordinator will be part of the SMC EM operational center, responsible for planning, writing, briefing, and executing tasks. The position requires the ability to manage both strategic initiatives and tactical execution across a complex Operational Area and its partners. The work involves a wide range of activities, from facilitating countywide preparedness planning cycles to translating policy into briefs for city councils, coordinating exercise design with public safety partners, and drafting official memos. A key attribute for this role is sound judgment, enabling prioritization, adaptation, and consistent production of high-quality work, even amidst uncertainty.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience, with at least 2 years dedicated to emergency management, disaster operations, homeland security, public safety, or military operations.
• Master’s Degree in emergency management, public administration, public policy, homeland security, public health, communications, or a related field.
• Working command of the planning cycle, with experience leading or contributing substantively to plan development.
• Strong communication skills across diverse audiences, including senior executives, political leaders, Operational Area partners, chiefs, and the public, with demonstrated experience adapting message and delivery.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability, with a track record of identifying issues, generating options, and driving toward resolution under pressure.
• Ability to work across a wide variety of settings (field, office, EOC) and disciplines (law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, public health).
• Exercise design and execution experience (tabletops, functional, full-scale) aligned with HSEEP.
• Formal project management experience, including managing scope, schedule, and stakeholders across complex initiatives.
• Hands-on experience with alert and warning systems (IPAWS, WEA, EAS, mass notification platforms).
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions or within a complex multi-agency operational environment.
• Training instruction or curriculum development experience.
• Excellent written communication skills, including reports, briefings, plans, and professional correspondence.
• Familiarity with the five Emergency Management Sections (Management, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Admin) and the Incident Command System.
• Completion of ICS Courses 100, 200, 700, and 800 (or ability to complete within the first 90 days).
• A valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one upon residency within California.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business, public administration, emergency management or related discipline.
• One year of experience having responsibility for assisting in program planning, development and budgeting in the public, military, or private organization, preferably related to emergency/disaster planning and management.

Nice To Haves

• Has already worked through real crisis, learned hard lessons, adapted under pressure, and is eager for more.
• Has thrived in uncertainty before and is energized to do more of it here.
• Someone who can prioritize, pivot, and produce.
• Someone with real operational experience who is still eager to grow and learn.
• Able to work independently and deliver without being managed step by step.
• Has been through crises or high-pressure situations and has the proven grit and resilience to show for it.
• Known for working hard, figuring things out when no one hands you the answer, and not waiting to be told what to do.
• Moves toward gaps and finds a way to add value.
• Stays composed when priorities shift, information is incomplete, and stakes are high.
• Stays curious and keeps learning, never settling for the way it has always been done.
• Carries oneself with integrity: speaks up when something is wrong, asks for help when needed, and verifies before acting.
• Energized by high expectations and levels up accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, brief, write, and advance projects across the Operational Area.
• Share duty officer rotation responsibilities, maintaining daily situational awareness and responding to emergencies 24/7 when on call.
• Assess unfolding situations, make initial notifications, brief leadership, and contact partners during emergencies.
• Deploy into disaster operations, working in the EOC or field, in any section role required during an incident, which may involve long shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Lead and contribute to the full planning cycle, including scoping, drafting, coordinating, executing, exercising, and updating operational plans, annexes, and frameworks.
• Translate federal and state guidance (FEMA, CalOES, SEMS, NIMS) into practical, usable plans.
• Coordinate plan reviews and revisions with internal staff and external partners, building consensus and maintaining quality.
• Maintain a working understanding of the threat and hazard landscape facing San Mateo County.
• Brief and present to varied audiences, including senior county leadership, elected officials, fire and law chiefs, Operational Area partners, community organizations, and the public.
• Produce clear, accurate written products on tight timelines, such as memos, briefings, plans, talking points, after-action reports, and correspondence.
• Represent SMC EM credibly in working groups, advisory committees, tabling events, and external meetings.
• Maintain steady, professional communication with partners across the operational area.
• Carry assigned projects from initiation through completion, managing timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder coordination.
• Manage multiple concurrent priorities while maintaining quality and partner engagement.
• Identify obstacles early, problem-solve collaboratively, and escalate issues when necessary.
• Document work, hand off projects cleanly, and prepare for future continuity.
• Contribute to the design, development, facilitation, and evaluation of exercises (tabletops, functional, full-scale) aligned with HSEEP standards.
• Support training programs for staff, partners, and the broader Operational Area.
• Participate in after-action reviews and improvement planning, treating lessons learned as a discipline.

Benefits

• The County of San Mateo offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Retirement plan
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level