Tribal Emergency Services Coordinator-closing date: 8.26.25 bei Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

Summary:

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a 'Service Delivery Area' comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational and cultural services.

The Tribal Emergency Services Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska in maintaining readiness, safety, and response capabilities across its 15-county service area. This position conducts emergency preparedness activities, organizes and executes safety and compliance inspections, facilitates training drills, and participates in response and recovery efforts. The role supports tribal government safety efforts and assists with coordinating on-the-ground activities in alignment with existing tribal protocols.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Conduct routine facility and organizational safety inspections and report compliance findings.
2. Organize and participate in emergency preparedness drills and exercises across Tribal departments and facilities.
3. Conduct staff training focused on emergency procedures, response practices, and personal safety awareness.
4. Monitor facility readiness by checking emergency supplies, fire extinguishers, AEDs, and related safety equipment.
5. Support response efforts during weather emergencies, power outages, or disasters as directed by Tribal leadership.
6. Maintain contact lists and basic inventories to assist with logistics during an emergency or recovery operation.
7. Work collaboratively with local emergency personnel and tribal partners during incident response activities.
8. Attend emergency management training, workshops, and drills as approved by the supervisor.
9. Provide on-site support during recovery efforts to assist with resource coordination and communication needs.
10. Document and report issues, incidents, or compliance gaps to Tribal Affairs leadership.
11. Monitor weather alerts, emergency notifications, and other relevant communications from local, state, and federal agencies to provide timely updates to Tribal leadership and staff during potential or active emergency events.
12. Conduct wellness outreach to Tribal members affected by emergencies or disasters, including phone calls, home visits (when appropriate), and coordination with service departments to assess immediate needs and connect individuals to available support resources. 
13. Serve as the primary point of contact during emergencies for your assigned districts. 
14. Attend meetings, conferences, and workshops related to emergency management to learn new information and to develop working relationships with other emergency management specialists.
15. Provide advice, guidance, and recommendations to Tribal Council, Executive Leadership, and Programmatic Directors pertaining to severe weather or imminent threats, impending emergencies or disasters that may impact the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska service areas. 
16. Other duties, as assigned.

Major Duties and Responsibilities During Declared State of Emergency:

1. Coordinate resources, manage response efforts, and work towards reducing the impact of emergencies on Tribal members and Tribal properties.
2. Provides support to the Tribe, as required, to enhance planning, preparedness and to build capacity and resiliency at the Tribal level, to respond to emergencies.
3. Participates in all aspects of the Tribal management to identify, address, coordinate and oversee emergency preparedness, response, recovery and resiliency activities in the Tribal business divisions.
4. Provides recommendations regarding proposals, actions, and reports relative to emergency preparedness, response and recovery. In particular, a) ensures the views of Tribal leadership and Tribal divisional officials and those collaborating agencies are taken into account; b) provides comprehensive analysis methods to be used, resources required, interagency coordination matters and milestones; and c) ensures that all recommended actions conform to established policies, procedures, and regulations or, as appropriate, recommends new policies or procedural changes.
5. Engages Tribal, Federal, State, and local partners to effectively prepare for and respond to emergencies.
6. Participates in the activation and deployment of all-hazard personnel, equipment, and supplies in response to requests for assistance.  

Relationships and Authority:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

A majority of work performed for this position is in professional office environment. However irregular periods during emergencies and deployments, the incumbent will perform in a field setting, including austere conditions, during an emergency or disaster. The duties of this position will require the use of physical strength, dexterity and endurance (including but not limited to walking, running, bending, pushing, lifting up to 50lbs, crouching reaching overhead etc.). 

Travel within the service area is required, as well as travel to training and workshops outside of the service areas. This position will travel a minimum of three (3) days per month, or more depending on emergency events, Tribal priorities, and assigned activities.

At times this position may require you to work with members or staff who have been impacted by an emergency or disaster and are in crisis. The employee must demonstrate empathy, understanding, respect, and advocacy while remaining calm in stressful situations. 

Qualifications:

Minimum

1. Associate degree or Certificate from an accredited college or university in Emergency Management, Disaster Planning, or a relevant technically related management field. An equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered.
2. Minimum one year of emergency management experience responding to disasters, emergencies, or business interruptions as a member of an Emergency Response Team or Emergency Operations.
3. Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
5. Valid driver’s license and be insurable.
6. Successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, motor vehicle, education, character, and criminal background checks.
7. Ability and willingness to travel.

Preferred:

1. Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, Emergency Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health or related field. 
2. Knowledge of the Incident Command System principles and its implementation.
3. Working experience with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and experience in using mass notifications systems.
4. FEMA Incident Command and emergency related coursework.
5. Certificate or coursework in Emergency Management specific to Tribal Nations. 
6. Experience working/collaborating with Federal / State / local offices. 
7. One year experience working with Native Americans or Native American organizations.
8. Knowledge and understanding of Public Law 93-638” Indian Self-Determination Act.
9. Federal Communications Commission Amateur Radio License – Technician level or above
10. Professional Certification in Emergency Management or a related field 

Preference will be given to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members or members of a federally recognized tribe.  However, all qualified individuals are eligible.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is an at-will employer.

Tribal Council Approval: 07/01/2025