Emergency Management Director

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Emergency Management serves as a senior executive leader within the System Support Services division, reporting directly to the Associate Commissioner for Strategic Operations. This position provides agency-wide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the full HHSC emergency management lifecycle, including preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery functions, as well as the administration of federal disaster assistance programs that support Texans during times of crisis.

The Director is responsible for creating the long-term vision, setting priorities, and establishing performance standards for Emergency Management operations at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This position leads both the Preparedness & Response and Mitigation & Recovery teams. The Director defines the direction and goals for HHSC’s Emergency Management activities. Key responsibilities include overseeing all emergency management programs, directing operational planning, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, managing disaster grants and operational budgets, and consistently improving emergency management practices.

Responsibilities include representing HHSC at executive-level briefings, leading interagency coordination efforts, and serving as the agency’s primary liaison with key partners including the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other local, state, and federal stakeholders. Responsibilities also include overseeing statewide repatriation activities and ensuring continuity of operations for agency programs, facilities, and essential services during emergencies and disruptive events.

This position requires advanced managerial expertise, strategic judgment, and the ability to lead complex, multi-jurisdictional emergency management initiatives. The Director supervises section managers and staff, establishes goals aligned with HHSC’s strategic objectives, and evaluates the effectiveness, readiness, and resilience of HHSC’s emergency management capabilities.

Work is performed under minimal supervision with extensive latitude, leadership, and independent decision-making. Additional duties may be assigned to support the mission and goals of HHSC.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: Local, state, and federal laws, regulations and policies governing emergency management, including preparedness, response, mitigation, recovery, and Continuity of Operations.
• Knowledge of: Principles, practices, processes, methodologies and standards of public administration, strategic planning, organizational leadership, and government operations.
• Knowledge of: Disaster assistance programs, emergency functions, and federal frameworks relevant to HHSC operations.
• Skill in: Establishing strategic direction, establishing goals, and aligning emergency management objectives with broader agency strategies.
• Skill in: Executive-level problem solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution in complex, high-pressure environments.
• Skill in: Evaluating and interpreting complex policies, legislative mandates, audits, standards, and operational procedures.
• Skill in: Managing operational and disaster grant budgets, forecasting resource needs, and ensuring fiscal accountability.
• Skill in: Developing innovative, practical solutions to complex operational challenges.
• Skill in: Clearly and effectively communicating, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of audiences such as executive leaders and external partners.
• Skill in: Building and sustaining collaborative relationships within and across organizations and intergovernmental entities.
• Skill in: Leading and developing staff, fostering accountability, modeling professionalism, promoting employee development and cultivating effective stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to: Direct, organize, evaluate complex emergency management programs, operations, and personnel across a large, multi-division organization.
• Ability to: Establish program goals, objectives, and priorities that advance the agency’s strategic plan and strengthen statewide emergency management readiness.
• Ability to: Identify operational challenges, assess alternatives, and implement effective, sustainable solutions in dynamic, high‑pressure environments.
• Ability to: Develop, interpret, and evaluate policies, procedures, and operational guidelines to ensure compliance, consistency, and operational excellence.
• Ability to: Prepare clear, concise reports and communicate complex information effectively to internal and external stakeholders, including executive leadership and interagency partners.
• Ability to: Plan, assign, supervise, coach, and develop staff within a structured, high-performance, service‑oriented environment.
• Ability to: Delegate tasks, manage competing priorities, and meet stringent deadlines during routine operations and emergency activations in dynamic and demanding conditions.
• Ability to: Use automated systems, technology platforms, data management tools, and emergency management systems efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to: Analyze data, evaluate business processes, document workflows, and implement operational process improvements that enhance efficiency and program performance.
• Ability to: Translate business needs into process maps, data visualization tools, and performance measures that support strategic decision‑making.
• Ability to: Communicate complex information clearly and effectively—both orally and in writing—to diverse audiences, including executives, stakeholders, and public partners.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Ten (10) years of experience in Emergency Management, including leadership of complex preparedness, response, mitigation, or recovery operations.
• Five (5) years of leadership experience managing and directing a public sector entity, division or program.
• Five (5) years experience managing programs relevant to federal Individual Assistance (IA) grants, such as:
• Other Needs Assistance
• Disaster Case Management
• Crisis Counseling Program
• Other IA-related federal recovery programs
• Required Certifications:
• IS-100.c Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS-200.c Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
• IS-700.a National Incident Management System
• IS-800 National Response Framework

Nice To Haves

• Preferred Certification:
• Lean Six Sigma (any level that is green or higher) preferred to support process optimization and operational efficiency.
• FEMA Professional Continuity of Operations Practitioner
• G-300 Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents
• G-400 Advanced Incident Command System, Command and General Staff

Responsibilities

• Emergency Management Leadership & Strategy
• Provides high-level direction and strategic guidance for the Emergency Management Department ensuring organizational structure, program operations, and priorities align with and support the agency’s mission. Establish strategic goals, objectives, and performance standards to guide the emergency management lifecycle and disaster program operations.
• Statewide Coordination & Liaison Responsibilities
• Serves as the primary point of contact and liaison for emergency management, agency awareness, and continuity of operations. Coordinates and monitors agency-wide emergency management activities. Represents HHSC with local, state, and federal partners, including Texas Division of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency; prepares and delivers status reports and executive briefings on emergency management activities; and represents the agency at business meetings, hearings, conferences, committees, seminars, panels and interagency forums as required.
• Leadership and Workforce Development
• Provides executive leadership to section managers and staff across Preparedness & Response and Mitigation & Recovery. Hires, trains, develops, and supervises direct reports and support staff; evaluates and approves personnel actions including merit increases, promotions, and disciplinary actions consistent with HHSC policies and procedures. Identifies staff development and training needs and fosters a high performance culture.
• Budget and Resource Management
• Reviews and approves Emergency Management program budgets and provides fiscal approval for expenditures. Recommends and approves staffing levels, resource allocations and funding strategies for emergency management program activities and operations.
• Policy, Legislative, and Audit Oversight
• Directs the preparation, development, review, and revision of circulars, policy documents, and legislative rules. Leads the development of agency position regarding legislative impact on disaster operations. Reviews audit findings and provides appropriate management responses, ensuring accountability and compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Operational Planning, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
• Plans, develops, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates emergency management policies, procedures, and operational activities. Assesses operational effectiveness and program performance; recommends improvements to strengthen service delivery; evaluates program productivity; and implements accountability measures to ensure program objectives and performance standards are met.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

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