Emergency Manager

City of Lake Forest Park•Lake Forest Park, WA

About The Position

The Emergency Manager leads and directs comprehensive emergency management programs for the Cities of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore and the Shoreline Fire Department under the Northshore Emergency Management Coalition (NEMCo) Interlocal Agreement. Reporting to the NEMCo Board of Directors and the City of Lake Forest Park's Public Works Director, the position oversees planning, coordination, development, and promotion of emergency management across preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy and manages multi-jurisdictional priorities and deadlines, with a direct impact on regional agency operations, community safety, and public trust. This full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position also focuses on CERT and volunteer management, NEMCo coordinated communication, and resource management. Work is primarily performed in an office, but may involve varied hours for events, meetings, and presentations, as well as exposure to hazards during disaster situations. The role uses computers, printers, photocopiers, fax machines, and cellular phones and involves sedentary work with occasional lifting or moving of up to 10 pounds.

Requirements

Associate degree focused in Emergency Management, Public Administration, or a related field, and at least three years of experience in the administration, supervision, and/or teaching of emergency preparedness or emergency services; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Certificates in ICS 100, 200, 300, and 400.
Complete IS 700 and IS 800 within one year of employment.
Valid Washington State Driver's License by the date of hire and ability to maintain insurability with the City.
Knowledge of emergency management programs, practices, resources, agencies, and personnel.
Knowledge of federal and state requirements for filing, maintaining, and testing emergency operation plans, declaring emergencies, and obtaining emergency assistance and reimbursement.
Knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Knowledge of public safety agency operational procedures and individual City departments.
Proficient computer skills and knowledge of applicable software, including Microsoft Word and Outlook; working knowledge of modern administrative office procedures, methods, and equipment.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills; attention to detail; and ability to work in a busy, sometimes stressful environment with changing priorities.
Ability to use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines; effective team-building and leadership skills; strategic planning and time-management skills.
Ability to work fairly and impartially with all people, maintain regular and reliable attendance, and work independently with reliability, accuracy, and productivity.
Ability to develop and implement whole-community emergency management policies and procedures and activate and manage the EOC during a disaster.
Ability to manage people and resources for emergency response and recovery and gather cooperation and resources from community organizations, businesses, volunteers, public agencies, utilities, media, and other stakeholders.
Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, recognize actual and potential dangers, and determine an appropriate course of action.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with partner agencies, staff, law enforcement and emergency service agencies, other city and county governments, community groups, and the public.
Ability to conduct oneself professionally, maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion and sound judgment, and meet fixed or fluctuating deadlines.
Ability to work independently and in support of a team, and communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in English, orally and in writing.
Ability to perform sedentary work, with occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak more than one language.

Responsibilities

Coordinate updates to procedures and policies for Lake Forest Park and Kenmore to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations.
Coordinate development of plans for partner-agency employees responding to natural and man-made disasters and emergency situations affecting city and regional operations.
Coordinate the cities' emergency preparedness and response plans with state agencies, municipalities, public safety agencies, and volunteer service agencies across emergency planning, response, recovery, and mitigation.
Develop, coordinate, and present educational and training programs for community organizations to increase awareness of emergency preparedness and response plans.
Organize meetings, trainings, and response exercises to communicate and coordinate the CEMP and other emergency procedures, and conduct operational drills.
Coordinate training, equipment, and staffing for the NEMCo Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and coordinate EOC activities during disasters.
Represent partner agencies on regional emergency planning and response committees and ensure emergency preparedness programs meet goals and regulatory standards.
Prepare reports and safety presentations to increase awareness of emergency preparedness.
Research funding sources, prepare grant proposals, develop work plans and budgets, manage and evaluate grant programs, and prepare reports.
Compile and maintain records, reports, and statistical information.
Prepare recommendations for EOC budget requests and monitor budgeted funds.
Organize meetings of the NEMCo Board of Directors and communicate department directors' and managers' roles within the CEMP.
Support relationships between partner agencies and their constituent populations through courteous and cooperative interactions, and promote NEMCo goals and priorities in compliance with policies and procedures.
Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues, client records, and partner-agency information; monitor staff compliance with security procedures and privacy requirements.
Perform related duties as required or assigned, including work in CERT and volunteer management, coordinated communication, and resource management.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability (LTD)
Employee assistance program (EAP)
HRA/HSA/FSA
Enrollment in Washington State's DRS PERS plan
401(a) retirement plan with matching employer contribution
Optional 457 deferred compensation plan (DCP)
Vacation, sick leave, and holiday time off
48 hours of administrative leave, prorated based on hire date
Prior public-sector tenure may count at 50% toward the City's vacation accrual rate