JOB
Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the County Board Chairman of Rock Island County, assists with the planning, organization, administration, and operational readiness of the Rock Island County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Supports day-to-day operations, emergency preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation activities, public education, volunteer coordination, and interagency collaboration. Assists with the development, implementation, and evaluation of emergency plans, programs, and initiatives.
Relationships
Reports To: County Board Chairman of Rock Island County
Supervises: Agency volunteers and volunteer programs
Works With: Elected officials, sheriff’s office liaison, department heads, public safety partners, municipalities, non-profits, media representatives, and the general public.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
- Supports the day-to-day operations of the Emergency Management Agency under the direction of the County Board Chairman of Rock Island County.
- Serves as a consistent point of coordination with the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office liaison, ensuring timely communication regarding operational activities, daily assignments, situational awareness, and any correspondence or matters requiring notification to the Sheriff’s Office.
- Supervises agency staff by providing work directions, guidance, counseling, recognition, and performance feedback.
- Provides direct oversight and coordination of agency volunteers and volunteer programs, including Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
- Responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of agency strategies, policies, plans, programs, and initiatives consistent with the mission and vision of the EMA.
- Responsible for preparation, administration, and monitoring of the agency budget.
- Collects, maintains, and manages documentation and records; prepares state and federal grant applications, reporting, compliance documentation, and activity reports.
- Develops, maintains, and updates emergency operations plans and related preparedness plans; conducts vulnerability analyses and risk assessments; evaluates and revises plans based on research, exercises, and after-action reports.
- Plans, coordinates, and supports response and recovery operations for multi-hazard incidents, including terrorism, weather-related events, major fires, hazardous materials, and radiological incidents.
- Maintains, tests, and documents emergency preparedness and response systems and equipment, including communications systems, warning systems, radiological equipment, vehicles, facilities, and supply inventories.
- Coordinates Emergency Operations Center (EOC) readiness, activation, staffing, facilities, and technology; designs, conducts, and evaluates emergency management exercises, drills, training, and real-world activations.
- During emergency activations, serves as EOC Manager and prepares situation reports and incident documentation.
- Works collaboratively with municipalities, agencies, and public safety partners to develop, integrate, implement, exercise, and improve emergency preparedness and response plans.
- Trains countywide stakeholders and partners with planning for large-scale events and emergencies.
- Develops and delivers emergency preparedness education, training programs, presentations, and outreach initiatives; coordinates public information activities.
- Oversees and maintains EMA public-facing communications, including social media platforms and the agency website.
- Monitors state and federal emergency management requirements to ensure continued compliance.
- Coordinates communications technology planning, development, implementation, and maintenance for EMA and EOC operations.
- Develops and maintains project schedules, timelines, and progress tracking.
- Monitors open-source information and social media related to emerging or ongoing incidents and reports relevant findings to the County Board Chairman of Rock Island County, Sheriff, and Sheriff’s Office liaison.
- Provides oversight of EMA fleet vehicles and equipment, coordinating maintenance and service with County Fleet Services or approved vendors.
- Represents the EMA on committees.
- Maintains current knowledge of best practices, standards, and trends in emergency management.
- Adjusts work schedules and assignments as required during emergencies to support preparedness, response, and recovery operations.
- Obtains and maintains required training, licensure, and certifications.
- Performs related duties as required or assigned within job classification.
Background Requisites
Education
Associate’s degree in a related field and a minimum of four (4) years of emergency management experience preferred
OR
An equivalent combination of education, training, and related experience including policy development, critical decision-making, and personnel supervision.
Work Experience
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in public safety, emergency management, disaster preparedness/response, public service, or military service.
Special Qualifications / Training Requirements
Within the first year of appointment, the following Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) training is required:
- New Coordinator’s Workshop
- Principles of Emergency Management
- FEMA Professional Development Series (Independent Study)
- FEMA L101 – Foundations of Emergency Management
Within 18–24 months of appointment:
- L102 – Science of Disaster
- L103 – Planning Emergency Operations
- L105 – Public Information and Warning
- L146 – HSEEP
Additional FEMA and Emergency Management Institute training as required for the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Emergency management principles, planning, and coordination
- Local, state, and federal emergency management regulations and standards
- Budget preparation and fiscal oversight
- Supervisory and management practices
Skill in:
- Providing effective leadership and supervision
- Communicating clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Developing and implementing policies, procedures, and plans
- Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships
- Operating computers and standard office and specialized emergency management software
- Responding effectively under stressful and rapidly changing conditions
License and Certification Requirements
- Valid driver’s license required
- Must be available for on-call duty officer rotation, as required
Physical and Mental Ability Requirements
Work is performed primarily in an office environment with frequent sitting, standing, and walking, and occasional field work in varied terrain and weather conditions. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, deploy and transport equipment, connect trailers, and perform physical tasks related to emergency operations. Extensive keyboarding and computer use required. Must be capable of performing duties during emergency situations under stressful conditions.
