Emergency Management Specialist (Planning)

Posting number: 202600178

Department: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Job classification: Emergency Management Specialist

Posting type: Open

Categories: Emergency Management

Summary

New Hanover County is seeking an Emergency Management Specialist to join a dedicated, high-performing team committed to strengthening community preparedness and enhancing the County's ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the impacts of natural and human-caused disasters. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping build a safer, more resilient community.

New Hanover County Emergency Management (NHC EM) manages New Hanover County’s emergency/disaster procedures and strategies by planning, developing and/or coordinating activities for training, drills and exercises of plans and equipment. NHC EM collaborates externally with local, regional, state, and federal agencies, non-government organizations, and the private sector to promote "whole community" planning. 

This Emergency Management Specialist position reports to the Senior Emergency Management Specialist (Planner) position and will work with local, regional, state, and federal partners to develop, maintain, and manage several programs, requiring specialized knowledge in each.  Under close supervision this position will:

• Assist in and facilitate the development, review, and modification of the County’s emergency plans and its annexes. 
• Serve as primary project manager for internal and external training, development and support of County exercises. Serving as the liaison to bring critical courses to NHC EOC. 
• Serve as primary project manager for the County’s annual hurricane exercise, staff EOC training plans, training calendar, and associated job aids.
• Serves as NHC EM liaison for external partner exercise planning and training support.
• Supports development, updating, and tracking of NHC Emergency Management training presentations. 
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with preparedness and response partners internally and external to the County and with outside emergency management agencies. 
• Serves as a critical team member under the Planning Section during County EOC activation.
• Attend and represent the department on various committees, work groups, and teams; cooperate with multi-jurisdictional and stakeholder coordination efforts to determine appropriate courses of emergency action, establish, or make recommendations for emergency planning guidelines, and ensure compliance with emergency management mandates.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

The successful candidate will possess a comprehensive knowledge of emergency management principles, practices, and methodologies, including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Candidates should have a strong understanding of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies governing emergency management, as well as the roles and responsibilities of County departments and local, state, and federal partner agencies during emergencies and disasters. Experience with the administration of federal, state, and local emergency management grant programs is highly desirable.

This position requires the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders while coordinating complex emergency management initiatives. The ideal candidate will have experience designing, implementing, and evaluating emergency management programs, including training, exercises, and preparedness activities. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential, with the ability to clearly convey technical information to County leadership, partner agencies, elected officials, and the public.

The successful candidate must be able to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision, analyze complex situations, and exercise sound judgment in both routine and emergency situations. The ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, and policies, develop and deliver training, assist others in emergency planning efforts, and remain calm and effective under stressful conditions is essential. Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills are critical to supporting the County's emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.

New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, equity, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. New Hanover County