Emergency Manager at City of Gresham, OR

About the Department

The City is seeking a visionary and highly skilled Emergency Manager to lead and oversee citywide emergency management operations and preparedness initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to serve as the City’s subject matter expert, developing innovative strategies to safeguard our community and enhance our resilience against disasters and emergencies.

This job announcement will remain open until the position is filled.  First review of applications will take place the week of October 6, 2025.

As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.

Position Duties

• Plan, organize, manage, and administer the Emergency Management Program (as defined by FEMA Emergency Management Standards) 
  • Develop and implement program and strategic planning 
  • Implement and assist in the development of program policies, procedures, and business practices
  • Evaluate goals, objectives, priorities, and activities to improve performance and outcomes 
  • Recommend and establish administrative controls and improvements 
  • Recommend emergency response and procedures to implement new and/or changing regulatory requirements.
• Develop and oversee the City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) 
  • Develop citywide Continuity of Operations Plans(s) (COOP) 
  • Research, develop, revise, and maintain EOP annexes for use during emergency or disaster events
  • Integrate emergency preparedness and response activities and plans, including recovery efforts
  • Coordinate and maintain emergency contact and resource information.
• Design, develop, implement, and evaluate exercises and test plans to prepare staff for effective response to major emergencies 
  • Test the response systems and recommend improvements 
  • Define roles and expectations during various types of incidents 
  • Prepare reports on operations and activities.
• Foster strong collaborative inter-departmental cooperation among City Departments in the development and maintenance of department specific emergency plans as well as National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance. 
• Activate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as directed by the City Manager or designee, including coordinating and facilitating activities 
  • Monitor developing conditions or incidents that may involve or affect the City 
  • Provide emergency response support during actual emergencies.
• Develop, administer, and monitor the budget 
  • Develop justifications for budgetary recommendations and/or adjustments 
  • Participate in forecasting additional funds for resources 
  • Identify, obtain, and manage funding from grants and community partners 
  • Ensure compliance with grant reporting requirements 
  • Participate in the interpretation, negotiation, management, and enforcement of contracts.
• Provide expert guidance to other departments, the general public, and/or outside agencies regarding emergency preparedness policies, practices, and processes 
  • Represent the City to the public, elected officials, other agencies, governments, and organizations including making presentations and participating in meetings 
  • Act as a representative on national, regional, and state committees regarding emergency management issues
  • Lead various multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency workgroups to prepare for effective emergency and disaster response 
  • Foster collaboration and relationships with local, county, and state emergency management partners
• Conduct outreach and training for community and business preparedness 
• Identify and recruit community leaders to engage and mobilize in support of preparedness efforts 
  • Develop informational materials for dissemination through social media, web site, events, and city channels 
  • Oversee Emergency Preparedness Task Force volunteers.
• Analyze and review federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures in order to ensure NIMS compliance 
• Conduct analysis on best practices and trends, and formulate and implement recommendations 
• Interpret and provide advice regarding emergency planning policies and procedures to Executive Leaders, the City Manager, and City Council
• Provide complex staff support on matters pertaining to emergency preparedness.
• Work with CityGIS staff to integrate emergency preparedness information and Fire Department data into the GIS system as appropriate.
• Collaborate with GIS staff developing mapping capabilities for use during emergency events, damage assessment, and for recovery efforts.
  • Work with City GIS and technology teams to develop and maintain GIS-based emergency maps, damage assessments, evacuation plans, and resource overlays. 
  • Support digital situational awareness tools and integrate Fire and Police data for real-time use during emergencies.
• Lead the development and implementation of After-Action Reports (AARs) and Improvement Plans (IPs) after drills, exercises, and real events.
  • Track progress and ensure closure of identified corrective actions. 
  • Establish and maintain a continuous improvement process across all program areas.
• Coordinate efforts related to climate resilience, including extreme weather response, heat mitigation planning, wildfire risk reduction, and long-term hazard mitigation strategies. 
  • Collaborates with internal and regional partners to incorporate sustainability and resilience into emergency management planning.
• Integrate accessibility into all preparedness, response, and recovery plans. 
  • Ensure emergency communications, materials, and response protocols are inclusive, multilingual, and accessible to all communities, including people with disabilities, seniors, and historically underserved populations.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, effective communicator, and collaborative leader with a strong background in emergency management. They are comfortable making decisions under pressure, building relationships across sectors, and guiding the community through crisis with confidence and compassion.

Work Schedule/Environment:
This position works in the office and out in the field with a standard Monday through Friday schedule.  The Emergency Manager is currently required to be on-site 4 days per week with additional flexibility. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and collective bargaining agreements affecting City policies and operations
• City government administration, organization, functions, and services
• Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques as they relate to emergency management, disaster preparedness, and response
• Safety standards, procedures, and precautions used in emergency response activities
• Leadership theories and practices
• Budget development and fiscal management principles and practices
• Techniques for effectively representing the City with government agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff
• Communication principles, practices, and techniques
• Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, and software applications

Ability to:

• Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, assess consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations
• Develop educational programs and information pertaining to emergency management and disaster preparedness
• Influence and gain cooperation when there are competing or conflicting priorities; conduct effective negotiations and represent the City
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
• Operate office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing 
• Present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively
• Physically perform the essential job functions

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Public Safety, or related field
• Three (3) years or more of relevant experience in emergency management
• Valid Driver's license
• Good driving record (according to our driving matrix below)
• Ability to obtain ICS 300 certification within 6 months of hire

Any combination of qualifying education, training, and/or experience equivalent to 7-10 years will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of accredited State, Federal, or International Emergency Management Certificate program or Professional Development Series (FEMA) or equivalent
• ICS 300 certification

Driving Matrix:
You will be disqualified from this process if you possess any of the following driving infractions:

• A major traffic violation or accident that results in death or major injury.
• Driving under the influence (DUI) charge within the last 5 years.
• Have more than 3 moving violations within a 3-year period or more than 2 within a one-year period.
• Have more than 2 accidents within a 3-year period.

Other Qualifications

To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.

Required application materials:

• Complete online application (Do not type 'see resume' in any fields or leave work experience fields blank in the application template.)
• Answers to supplemental questions

The City of Gresham offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education verified in your application. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Oregon Equal Pay.

If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to [email protected], or by phone to 503-618-2729, upon submitting the required application documents.

A review of application materials including your response to supplemental questions submitted will determine which candidates will be invited to an interview.

Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.

Veteran's Preference

The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

Our Commitment

The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.

Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2729 or [email protected].

If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and driving record review. 

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