Emergency Manager

City of Sumner•City of Sumner - City Hall, WA

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Sumner is seeking a proactive, adaptable, and responsive Emergency Manager to ensure community preparedness for various events. This dynamic role involves planning for natural disasters, coordinating emergency response, leading training, and strengthening community resilience. The Emergency Manager will build partnerships, coordinate with agencies at all levels, develop emergency plans, manage the Emergency Operations Center, and ensure the City is ready to respond. This position requires collaboration across departments, with regional partners, and engagement with the community, playing a key leadership role during emergencies, disasters, and major public events. It is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex challenges, building relationships, thinking ahead, and staying organized under pressure. The role is part of a team that values innovation, preparedness, and public service, aiming to make a significant difference in community safety and resilience.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Public Safety, Business Continuity, or a closely related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, disaster preparedness, safety management, risk management, business continuity or a related field.
Additional qualifying experience in emergency management, safety management, public administration, or related fields may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Current NIMS training (IS Level 100, 200, 700, and 800 certifications) or must obtain these certifications within six (6) months of date of hire.
Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State driver's license, including a driving record acceptable to the City and the City's insurance carrier.
Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of Emergency Management preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, continuity planning, and resilience programs, including applicable local, Federal, and State codes, laws, and regulations governing emergency management.
Knowledge of principles and practices of local government administration, public-sector operations, budgeting, procurement, contract administration, and financial management.
Knowledge of development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of emergency management.
Knowledge of Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations, Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and interagency emergency response coordination.
Knowledge of principles and practices of grant research, application development, administration, compliance monitoring, and reporting.
Knowledge of effective business communications, technical writing, report preparation, presentation development, public outreach, and stakeholder engagement.
Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, technology, software applications, and equipment used in public administration, emergency management, and safety programs.
Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of project management, strategic planning, program evaluation, performance measurement, and data analysis.
Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of contract preparation, grant research and administration, compliance monitoring and reporting and administration.
Skill in exercising sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and professionalism while representing the City and addressing sensitive or complex issues.
Skill in interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and technical information; developing practical solutions and recommendations.
Skill in planning, organizing, and managing multiple projects, priorities, schedules, and deadlines while maintaining accurate records and documentation.
Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, including preparing reports, presentations, correspondence, and other business documents.
Skill in building and maintaining collaborative working relationships with employees, elected officials, community stakeholders, partner agencies, and the public.
Skill in utilizing computer systems, software applications, databases, and technology tools to support program administration, analysis, reporting, and emergency management activities.
Skill in maintaining confidentiality, facilitating collaboration, resolving conflicts, and building consensus among diverse stakeholders.
Ability to interpret, explain, and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, regulations and procedures related to emergency management.
Ability to respond to technical emergency management related questions and concerns.
Ability to analyze complex issues, evaluate information, exercise sound independent judgment, and develop effective recommendations and solutions.
Ability to develop, implement, and maintain emergency management plans, programs, policies, procedures, training, and preparedness initiatives.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with employees, elected officials, community organization, partner agencies and the general public.
Ability to provide leadership, facilitate collaboration, build consensus, and promote a team-oriented environment to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
Ability to develop policies and procedures for emergency planning, emergency management training, and emergency preparedness activities.
Ability to utilize computers, software applications, databases, and other technology tools to support program administration, planning, analysis, and reporting.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including preparing reports, presentations, correspondence, and training materials and presenting information to diverse audiences.
Ability to maintain regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
Ability to contribute to the City’s Mission, Vision and Values.

Nice To Haves

Completion of the Federal Emergency Management Institute coursework, including the Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) Basic Academy or attainment of Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) credentials is highly desirable.
Experience coordinating emergency management programs and coordinating EOC response efforts.
Extensive knowledge of Federal, State and local laws regulations, standards and best practices relating to emergency management specific but not limited to NIMS, SISHA, OSHA and applicable Washington State emergency management requirements.
Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans (CEMP), Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), or emergency response procedures.
Experience planning and conducting emergency exercises, drills, tabletop exercises, and after-action reviews.
Experience administering emergency management grants, including Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) or FEMA reimbursement programs.
Experience using WebEOC or similar emergency management information systems.
Experience serving in an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during activations or incidents.

Responsibilities

Serves as the City's Emergency Manager and principal staff resource for emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, and continuity planning activities.
Represents the City in regional, county, state, federal and intergovernmental organizations including the East Pierce Interlocal Coalition (EPIC) emergency management group, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, Washington State Emergency Management Division, FEMA and other partner agencies.
Develops, coordinates, maintains, and updates the City's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans, hazard mitigation strategies, evacuation procedures, and related emergency management policies and procedures.
Participates in strategic planning, policy development, and organizational resilience initiatives that support the City's long-term emergency management objectives.
Attends and assists with the planning, preparation, and coordination of large community events to ensure appropriate emergency management considerations, resource allocation, interagency coordination, and public safety measures are incorporated into event operations.
Ensures City compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and applicable federal, state, and local emergency management requirements.
Coordinates emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience initiatives across all City departments and advises department leadership on emergency planning and operational readiness.
Manages and maintains the City’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC), including readiness assessments, equipment maintenance, operational procedures, resource inventories and activation protocols.
Serves in a leadership role during emergency incidents, disasters, and planned events; may activate, coordinate, and manage EOC operations and serve as liaison with responding agencies and governmental partners.
Plans, develops, coordinates, and delivers emergency management training programs, workshops, exercises, drills, and tabletop exercises for City employees, elected officials, volunteers, and partner organizations.
Coordinates multi-jurisdictional preparedness activities and emergency exercises to evaluate plans, improve operational readiness, and strengthen regional response capabilities.
Conducts hazard and vulnerability assessments and evaluates emerging threats and risks affecting the City and surrounding region; recommends strategies to improve preparedness and resilience.
Researches, prepares, administers, and monitors emergency management grants and funding opportunities; ensures compliance with grant requirements and prepares related agreements, reports, and reimbursement documentation.
Provides technical expertise and professional guidance to City leadership, departments, elected officials, and community stakeholders regarding emergency management best practices, regulatory requirements, and program development.
Participates in public relations activities and makes public presentations, as appropriate.
Coordinates necessary studies and implementation efforts with appropriate City officials, Council, staff, and other governmental entities.
Serves as the point person to obtain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other public assistance grants; tracks and gathers/documents completion of grants for reimbursement.
Develops and maintains emergency notification, public warning, and crisis communications systems; coordinates public information and community outreach programs to promote emergency preparedness.
Conducts research on all hazards and threats to the Western Washington region by reading records, plans and documents to include attending presentations and interviews; ensures the City is in compliance with all Federal, State and County requirements for an emergency management plan.
Provides preparedness presentations to the community on a regular basis; identifies gaps in emergency planning and addresses them as resources as allow.
Performs other duties as assigned.