Director, Office of Emergency Management

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) collaborates with governmental and non-governmental partners to mitigate, plan, and prepare for emergencies; educate the public about preparedness; coordinate response and recovery efforts for emergencies and complex events; and develop tools and resources to support the City of Philadelphia's overall preparedness.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Director of Emergency Management is responsible for all-hazards emergency and disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities for the City of Philadelphia. All-hazards includes all types of natural hazards, technological hazards, and human-caused threats. Working collaboratively with all levels of government, non-profit, private sector, and community organizations, the Director shall strategically lead a comprehensive program and full-service team that is available 24/7/365.

The Director is called upon to be an advisor to the Mayor, Managing Director, Deputy Managing Director and City leadership on emergency management topics as well as to be the direct interface with emergency management functions at the state and federal level. The Director will strategically lead teams and programs that provide services to disaster survivors, create organization for complex planned and unplanned incidents, facilitate resource requests, conduct community engagement and public messaging, analyze threats and hazards, manage chemical facility reporting, are responsible for grants management, and other disaster related functions with 24/7/365 service availability.

This position is on-call and will require arrangements for coverage when unavailable.

Essential Functions

1. Operational Oversight and Crisis Management Leadership

• Serve as the focal point for operational coordination and decision-making for OEM’s coordination and support activities – as well as direct service-delivery, overseeing the entire agency’s response and recovery roles during emergencies, disasters, and large planned events.
• Coordinate the city's emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts across all departments and with external partners including federal, state, and regional agencies.
• Oversee emergency preparedness, response, and recovery missions from the Emergency Operations Center and in the field with a high level of availability 24/7/365.
• Direct emergency operations during incidents, including activation and management of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), City’s mobile command post, and other field and incident support sites
• Serve as the County Emergency Management Coordinator to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Find opportunities within OEM and across its partners to ensure operational readiness for Philadelphia’s risks.
• Provide guidance and direction to staff, through modeling and coaching, to ensure effective decision-making and coordination.
• Ensure timely and accurate alert & warning capabilities on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.
• Provide emergency management services to other volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous crises experienced by the City.

2. Strategic Leadership and Policy Development for Readiness

• Serve as senior advisor to the Mayor and Cabinet members regarding emergency management activities.
• Develop executive policy and strategy, including a multi-year strategic plan and an annual baseline schedule, using emergency management best practices.
• Rooted in the city's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and related annexes and hazard-specific plans, oversee development, prioritization, implementation, and evaluation of emergency management plans, preparedness, and training for OEM and partner agencies based on external requirements, after-action reports, risk assessments, and best practices.
• Coordinate with city leadership to ensure continuity of government (COG) and continuity of operations (COOP) planning.
• Lead the development and execution of city-wide emergency exercises and drills; evaluate performance and implement improvements.
• Establish organizational policy, manage, and resolve personnel management matters.

3. Financial and Administrative Management

• Oversee and monitor the formulation and execution of a budget, management of grants, and development of contracts with designated support units across city government.
• Oversee the management and executive administration of the Homeland Security Grant Program for the Philadelphia Urban Area Security Initiative through the Southeast PA Regional Task Force.

4. Intergovernmental and External Relations

• Serve as the central liaison with federal, state, local, and non-governmental emergency management and related agencies and officials.
• Serve as the city’s primary liaison with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and US Department of Homeland Security for issues related to critical infrastructure and special events, public utilities, hospitals, and other key partners.
• Serve as a member of the Executive Board for the Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Task Force.
• Collaborate and negotiate with high-level agency officials and provide advisory services.
• Serve on committees with various departments, agencies, commissions, and other emergency management groups.
• Promote and maintain effective relationships with a variety of community organizations and partner agencies.
• Communicate with and educate the public about their hazard risk and preparedness through public education campaigns and community outreach related to disaster preparedness.
• And other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive understanding of emergency management principles, practices, and regulatory frameworks, including the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Familiarity with local government operations, public safety agencies, and intergovernmental relations.
• Budgeting, grant management, and resource allocation in the public sector.
• Project management and strategic planning tools and methods.
• Talent management, leadership, and relationship management best practices.
• Equity and inclusion principles applied to public sector projects and policies.
• Applies equity and inclusion lenses in all projects.

Skills:

• Sets a vision with established goals, develops the strategies to execute those goals, and monitors the resources in the execution. Solves immediate and pressing problems, while driving organizational development.
• Knows what needs to be accomplished and able to manage and prioritize time to ensure the team is meeting expectations. Aims to deliver early and communicates when plans need to change or a breakdown in expectations occurs. 
• Able to see the whole situation, seek and use existing frameworks for new problems, and conduct research to answer questions and propose viable solutions.
• Methodical and consistent in organizing and sharing information to help others predict and organize their actions.
• When tense situations due to time urgency, resource gaps, and competing priorities arise, relies on interpersonal skills to navigate these situations and find a way to ‘get to yes’ as best as possible.
• Demonstrates a service-oriented approach that supports colleagues and fosters collaboration.  
• Communicates clearly and thoroughly in writing and speaking, anticipating the needs of their audience.
• Pays keen attention to details to ensure standards are met, as well as finds replicable best practices and conducts root-cause analysis for improvement planning.
• Produces projects on-time and within scope without oversight.
• Embraces challenges and provides viable solutions to project impediments.

Abilities:

• Translates a strategic vision into measurable action for the agency and its partners.
• Manages multiple complex projects simultaneously while adapting quickly in dynamic environments.
• Maintains composure and direction when operating in chaotic or uncertain situations.
• Builds and sustains strong working relationships with colleagues, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Coordinates diverse stakeholders and groups toward common goals.
• Exercises sound judgment and makes ethical, decisive decisions under pressure.
• Interprets regulations and policies into actionable workflows and leads planning efforts to achieve outcomes.
• Exhibits high emotional intelligence and relies on interpersonal, leadership, diplomacy, and negotiation skills to accomplish work.
• Establishes a vision that meets assigned objectives and can translate the vision into action for the agency and partners.
• Exercises discretion to maintain confidentiality and in navigating sensitive topics with different audiences.

All OEM personnel are required to serve periodically in an on-call capacity which may require the following conditions of work: work outside of typical business hours or for extended periods of time; work during states of emergency; work in a field environment, in a 24/7 watch center, or during activations of Philadelphia’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Example on-call work environments include, but are not limited to, scenes with the following conditions: materials that are on fire; utilities that are compromised; compromised structures; scenes near hazardous materials storage that may be compromised; scenes in congregate living settings, or in or near crowds; scenes near downed vegetation or other debris; or scenes near flooding and water-damaged materials.

All work is performed while donning a level of personal protective equipment that 1) is recommended by the incident safety officer and 2) for which OEM personnel have received training. Example on-call response tasks include, but are not limited to, the following: working at a computer or with a portable tablet; observing and documenting conditions remotely or in the field; staffing an incident command post; communicating with responders or survivors; operating vehicles up to your licensed class; staffing facilities for survivors; transporting materials; being near a site where a serious injury or loss of life has occurred; sitting, standing, walking, climbing, crawling, or lifting or carrying materials.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public administration, homeland security, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.

At least 8 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, public safety, disaster relief, or crisis response, with at least 4 years in a senior leadership role.

Preferred Experience:

• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale emergencies, mass gatherings, multi-agency coordination, incident command operations, and disaster relief operations.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing emergency plans, training programs, and public safety policies.
• Familiarity with the City of Philadelphia.
• Experience with the National Incident Management System.
• Foreign Language proficiency.

FEMA ICS/NIMS certifications and relevant professional credentials (e.g., CEM, CBCP) strongly preferred.

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six months of hire.

Successful completion of FEMA Independent Study courses (IS 100, 200, 700, and 800) within the first month of appointment and Pennsylvania Emergency Management County Professional certification within one year of appointment.

All selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation as a condition of placement in this position.

Candidates should possess a strong desire to work in a team-oriented, fast-paced, flexible, and professional public service environment, and a willingness to serve the public in the sixth-largest city in the nation. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, solutions-oriented, easily adapts, has diverse project management experience, anticipates needs, and brings a robust set of soft skills including integrity, diplomacy, communication, and persuasion.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $170,000-$186,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

Client-provided location(s): Philadelphia, PA

Job ID: 2095f5c9-749f-4977-a3a3-3a8f0117a141

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2025-10-17T12:24:08