Emergency Management Program Manager presso Pierce County, WA

About the Department

Position Duties

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

Are you ready to make a real difference in your community — not just during disasters, but every single day?

Pierce County faces a broad range of natural and human-caused hazards, from flooding, severe weather, and earthquakes to volcanic activity, wildfires, civil disturbances, hazardous materials incidents, and infrastructure failures. As our next Emergency Management Program Manager, you’ll have a unique opportunity to lead and serve your community across all phases of emergency management: preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.

In this vital role, you’ll be a key member of the Department of Emergency Management’s (DEM) extended leadership team. You’ll lead three critical areas: Operations, Planning, and Preparedness.

We're looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-impact environment and who’s ready to collaborate with partners across multiple disciplines. This position requires someone who understands not only emergency management but also how to leverage technology responsibly and effectively in support of our mission.

At DEM, we believe in empowering our team members. You’ll have the freedom and support to:  Lead with creativity and initiative; Identify areas for improvement; Strengthen documentation and processes; and Develop innovative solutions to complex problems.

Here, your contributions won’t go unnoticed. Whether during a major incident or routine planning, you’ll see how your work directly impacts lives across the county — under both blue skies and gray.

If you’re passionate about public service and ready to take on a meaningful leadership role in emergency management, Pierce County DEM is the place for you.

Why It's a Great Department: 

About Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM)

At the heart of the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) is a commitment to communication, coordination, and collaboration. We work closely with our stakeholders and communities to prepare for, respond to, mitigate against, and recover from disasters — always with a focus on saving lives and protecting property.

We’re proud to be one of the first counties in the nation to be accredited through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), and we’ve maintained that high standard through two successful reaccreditations. This achievement highlights our role as a leader in emergency management not just in Pierce County, but throughout the Puget Sound, Washington State, and across the United States.

This success is driven by a team of passionate, dedicated individuals who build strong partnerships, engage in proactive planning, and provide critical support throughout the full cycle of emergency management: planning, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. By joining us, you’ll become part of a highly respected team that sets the bar for excellence in emergency services.

Work-Life Balance and Flexibility

At DEM, we understand the importance of work-life balance. To support our team’s well-being, most employees have the flexibility to work from home one day a week. The specific tasks and priorities for remote work will be coordinated with your supervisor to ensure alignment with the department’s needs and your workload.

We encourage you to learn more about our department by clicking HERE. 
 

How to be Successful in the Role: 

We are seeking a dynamic leader with broad experience in collaborating with partners and stakeholders to ensure a whole-community approach to emergency management. This includes working across all phases of preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery to drive impactful results.

This role supports Washington State Homeland Security Region 5 and leads teams in key areas, including:  Alert and Warning systems; Emergency Operations Center (EOC) readiness; Multi-jurisdictional planning; Training and exercises; and Emergency medical service functions.

The ideal candidate is someone who embraces change, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can guide the DEM and our partner teams through change management effectively. A strong understanding of how technology can enhance and transform emergency management and public safety is critical for success in this role.

As a mid-level leadership and management position, this role requires someone who can manage and prioritize multiple projects and deliverables with precision and foresight. The ability to pivot quickly and re-prioritize in response to emerging needs is essential, as we are always adapting to the evolving demands of emergency management.

Above all, we’re looking for a leader who understands the unique and diverse needs of the communities we serve and is passionate about working to make them safer, stronger, and more resilient.

Your Future in this Role: 

As you get started, you’ll have regular opportunities to connect with DEM Supervisors, teammates, and the admin. team to talk through expectations, set goals, and get comfortable with our policies, procedures, and priorities. From day one, you’ll have access to professional development resources—including our Leadership Certification program, online learning, and a variety of training opportunities—so you can continue growing throughout your career. This role also opens the door to multiple advancement opportunities within Pierce County, giving you the chance to shape a meaningful and lasting career here.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Administers the daily activities of the County's emergency management program, including the 24-Hour Duty Manager and the operational readiness of the Emergency Operations Center. 
• Develops public information presentations and represents the department by making presentations before County directors and personnel, elected and appointed officials from cities and towns in Pierce County, businesses, schools, community groups, and other organizations to promote emergency management preparedness activities and public preparedness. 
• Establishes and maintains liaison with federal, state, and local governmental officials and agencies, businesses and industries, fire departments and other first response organizations, school districts, and volunteer organizations for disaster planning, public education, response, and recovery issues. 
• Directs and manages the general administration of the division budget.
• Acts as a Duty Manager to respond to Department of Emergency Management responsibilities during regular and non-business hours.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in business or public administration, communications, or a closely related field AND
• Four or more years of experience in an administrative, supervisory, and/or teaching position which INCLUDES
• at least two or more years of paid or volunteer experience in a recognized emergency organization.
• Any combination of experience/education that would clearly indicate the ability to perform the duties of the position may substitute equally for the recruiting requirements.
• A valid driver’s license is required
• A cover letter and resume are required for this position. Applications without a cover letter and resume will not be considered. 
• Please include three (3) professional references with your application. 

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Other Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:   www.piercecountywa.org/jobs. 
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at [email protected] and specify the Job Number and Title. 
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.  

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes, which may include assessments, phone screens, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion mean commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have a local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?