Emergency Management Specialist - Homeland Security

County of Wake, NC•Raleigh, NC

2d•$32 - $43•Onsite

About The Position

Are you driven by purpose? Ready to lead when it matters most? If you answered 'YES' - step into a career where your decisions safeguard lives and strengthen communities. Wake County is looking for courageous, strategic and innovative leaders to join our Emergency Management team. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you won’t just be responding to crises - you’ll be anticipating them, preparing for them and transforming how we protect our country from the unexpected. About Our Team Emergency Management, a Division of the Fire Services Department, is responsible for the activities that build and sustain the community's ability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies that affect the community. Join us in making a difference when it matters most! What Makes Wake Great Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. In Fall 2026, two at-large seats will be added for nine total commissioners. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2026 General Fund budget is approximately $2.1 billion, and the County has over 5,100 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management or related field
Three years of emergency management experience
Valid Driver's License and "safe" driving record
Equivalent education and experience are accepted
Ability to coordinate and collaborate with public, private and non-governmental organizations in developing plans and procedures
Ability to deliver training to partner agencies
Ability to coordinate exercises incorporating partner needs utilizing the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program standards
Ability to respond to emergency incidents of significance in the county whenever and wherever needed at all times of day and in all types of weather
Ability to lift, carry and transport equipment including towed vehicles (trailers)
Ability to safely and respectfully operate an emergency vehicle
Ability to deliver education on emergency preparedness to a variety of community groups
Ability to complete documentation through reporting systems, electronic and paper-based logs, reporting software and databases
Ability to effectively and efficiently utilize technology
Ability to maintain the cleanliness of equipment, vehicles and facilities
Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate through written, oral and visual means with all individuals and groups of individuals
Ability to effectively work as an individual and as a member of a team
Ability to regularly attend and participate in training
Ability to understand and practice our mission statement serving as the governmental function that coordinates and integrates activities within the county to build, sustain and improve communities’ capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from or mitigate against actual or threatened natural and man-made incidents of high consequence
Ability to understand and execute emergency management systems at the local, state and federal level
Knowledge of laws and ordinances in North Carolina as they pertain to public safety/emergency management
Knowledge of Emergency Operations Center management
Ability to understand and execute effective and efficient logistical operations

Nice To Haves

ICS 100, 200, 300, and 400 certifications
Training in information sharing and handling
Critical infrastructure training (vulnerability assessments)
Project and program management training

Responsibilities

Lead the county’s Homeland Security Program
Coordinate the efforts of the Wake County Multi-Disciplinary Operations Center, ensuring appropriate intelligence and information sharing among partners at the local, state and federal level
Coordinate the county’s Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources Protection Program
Support the development of public and private partnerships in support of the Homeland Security Program
Emergency Management Specialists each have specialties but are also generalists who contribute to their peers’ programs and the overall culture of preparedness
Develop emergency plans through teamwork with the county’s partners
Serve as the Staff Duty Officer responding to emergency incidents
Contribute to maintaining the county’s emergency facilities and equipment used in emergency response
Identify public safety issues in the community
Develop training and exercise programs
Deliver presentations to various community groups
Coordinate multiple agencies to work collectively towards a common goal