Director of Emergency Management

Location:

18100 Cumberland Road - Noblesville, Indiana, 46060

Hamilton County is one of Indiana’s fastest growing, highest educated and wealthiest counties in the state and the Midwest. Two-thirds of the workforce lives and works in the county -- a percent that has remained constant since 2010.  Hamilton County is continually recognized in rankings ranging from “Best Cities to Relocate To” and “Best City to Raise a Family” to “Healthiest County in Indiana” and “Happiest Suburbs in the Nation”.  Come be a part of all Hamilton County has to offer as we work together to serve the citizens of Hamilton County.

Job Description:

POSITION DESCRIPTION

COUNTY OF HAMILTON, INDIANA

POSITION: Director of Emergency Management

DEPARTMENT: Emergency Operations

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., M-F

STATUS:  Full-time

FLSA STATUS:  Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily.  The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Hamilton County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Director of Emergency Management, for the Hamilton County Emergency Operations Department responsible for leading Hamilton County’s comprehensive emergency management, resilience, and continuity programs across preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. The Director oversees the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), manages federal and state grants, coordinates multi‑agency operations, advises elected officials, and ensures compliance with Indiana Code, Hamilton County ordinances, FEMA/NIMS/ICS standards, and national best practices for emergency management.

This role is central to the County’s disaster readiness, interagency coordination, and continuity of government (COG), and Continuity of Operations (COOP). The Director ensures Hamilton County can withstand, respond to, and recover from natural hazards, technological incidents, cyber disruptions, public‑health emergencies, and emerging threats.

DUTIES:

Provides executive leadership for the County’s emergency management program, setting strategic direction and ensuring alignment with national standards (NIMS/ICS, FEMA CPG 101, EMAP, NFPA).

Supervises staff, volunteers, and interns including hiring, training, performance evaluation, discipline, and professional development.

Oversees daily department operations, personnel management, procurement, budgeting, and expenditure control.

Serves as primary advisor to Elected Officials on disaster law, emergency declarations, and policy implications.

Maintains regular communication with County departments, municipalities, schools, hospitals, utilities, NGOs, and private sector partners.

Leads development, maintenance, and modernization of all County emergency plans, including the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP); Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and ESF annexes; Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan; Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) plans; and Logistics, Flood Fight, Recovery, and Debris Management Plans.

Conducts Threat & Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and annual State Preparedness Report (SPR) processes.

Integrates climate-driven hazard trends, cyber risk, infrastructure dependencies, and community lifelines into planning.

Maintains and updates all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.

Develops and maintains mutual aid agreements and MOUs with regional partners.

Builds and manages a multi‑year Training & Exercise Plan (TEP) aligned with HSEEP.

Conducts tabletop, functional, and full‑scale exercises for County departments, public safety agencies, volunteers, and community partners.

Trains Elected Officials, Department Heads, and ESF leads in ICS, EOC operations, and crisis communications.

Delivers public-facing education, preparedness messaging, and community resilience initiatives.

Serves as the primary EOC Manager, ensuring 24/7 readiness of facilities, systems, and staff.

Conducts regular testing of communications systems, sirens, radios, AV systems, generators, and technology platforms.

Activates and leads EOC operations during emergencies, coordinating ESFs, maintaining a common operating picture, and ensuring multi‑agency collaboration.

Coordinates disaster response activities including evacuations, sheltering, special needs plans, and resource allocation.

Prepares and delivers situational reports, damage assessments, and operational briefings.

Leads initial, preliminary, and joint damage assessments (IDA, PDA, JDA).

Manages FEMA and state disaster reimbursement processes (Public Assistance Categories A–G, Individual Assistance).

Oversees hazard mitigation grant programs and long‑term recovery planning.

Serves as County representative to FEMA, IDHS, SBA, USDA, and regional emergency management bodies.

Implements AI‑enabled situational awareness tools, predictive analytics, and automated reporting systems aligned with current industry trends.

Maintains cybersecurity readiness within emergency management systems; coordinates with County IT and state cyber units.

Oversees WebEOC, HSIN, GIS mapping tools, dashboards, and digital COP platforms.

Ensures staff proficiency in modern emergency management software and data systems.

Manages federal and state grants (EMPG, HSGP, BRIC, HMGP), including applications, compliance, reporting, and audits.

Tracks grant‑funded equipment, maintains inventories, and ensures compliance with procurement and record‑keeping requirements.

Assists in the preparation of the annual Emergency Management Division budget and assists in presentation to County Commissioners and County Council.

Serves as Community Emergency Coordinator for the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

Oversees SARA Title III compliance, hazardous materials reporting, and response coordination.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Public Administration, or related field required.  Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum 7–10 years emergency management or public‑safety leadership experience.

Prior supervisory experience required.

Certifications ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800 required.

HSEEP certification  or ability to acquire preferred.

Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or ability to acquire preferred.

Hazardous materials training; NWS storm spotter; amateur radio license preferred.

Thorough knowledge of emergency management principles, laws, ordinances, and federal/state regulations.

Ability to coordinate with local governments, schools, hospitals, and institutions to determine needs and capabilities.

Strong understanding of THIRA/SPR, COOP/COG, hazard mitigation, and resilience frameworks.

Ability to manage complex incidents, multi‑agency coordination, and high‑pressure environments.

Proficiency with emergency‑management software, GIS, dashboards, and communication systems.

Strong written and oral communication skills, including media engagement.

Experience leading response and planning for large preplanned special events, critical incidents and multi-discipline public safety incidents.

Standard office environment plus field operations during emergencies.

Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

As a result of the duties associated with this job, there is the potential of dangers situations associated with public safety operations. To safeguard employees, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used as required, including personal flotation device, reflective traffic vest, and ballistic vest and helmet.

As a result of the duties associated with this job, there is the potential of becoming exposed to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious diseases. To safeguard employees and eliminate the liability placed on Hamilton County, employees working in this position shall begin the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination and subsequent training within ten days of their initial job assignment per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2)(i).

The initial and two subsequent vaccinations shall be administered by the Hamilton County Health Department and free of charge to the employee. If the employee has previously received the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination, official documentation must be provided to the supervisor identifying the dates in which each shot was appropriately administered. A Temporary Medical Declination may be made for a period of up to six months.

A Declination form must be completed, outlining the medical reasons for the temporary declination and forwarded to the Safety & Risk Manager. Employees temporarily declining the vaccine are prohibited from performing any duties in which they may be exposed to a blood borne pathogen or other potentially infectious disease until they are able to begin/continue the series of vaccinations. Failure to comply will result in termination of employment.

II.  DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent performs a broad range of duties involving complex considerations and problems. Incumbent performs according to department policies and procedures, state guidelines, and regulations, and recognized standards of professional and ethical practice.  Incumbent exercises independent judgment in most duties including technical analysis of data. 

III.  RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent makes a major contribution to department mission through authoritative application of department policies and procedures to daily program operations. Incumbent receives general supervision, with work reviewed primarily for appropriate supervision or direction of assigned operations, and compliance with department policies. 

IV.  PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent communication with co-workers, volunteers, other County departments, related federal, state, and local agencies, other emergency management agencies, public safety personnel, school corporations, the media, and members of the public, for the purpose of exchanging and explaining information, providing instruction, and assisting in coordinating emergency operations.

Incumbent reports directly to the Executive Director of Emergency Operations.

V.  PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a standard office environment involving sitting for long periods, sitting and walking at will, handling/grasping objects, bending, reaching, speaking clearly, keyboarding, driving, and hearing communication. Incumbent serves on 24-hour call, responding to emergencies involving walking/standing for long periods, walking on uneven terrain, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, bending, twisting, and crawling in confined spaces, and exposure to inclement weather, toxic chemicals and fumes, and loud environments, for which safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others.

Incumbent is required to serve on 24-hour call for emergencies, regularly works extended, weekend, and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town for training or meetings, sometimes overnight.

APPLICANT/EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The job description for the position of Director of Emergency Management for Hamilton County Emergency Operations Department describes the duties and responsibilities for employment in this position.  I acknowledge that I have received this job description and understand that it is not a contract of employment.  I am responsible for reading this job description and complying with all job duties, requirements and responsibilities contained herein, and any subsequent revisions.

Hamilton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We participate in E-Verify.