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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Atchison County Sheriff's Office
Division: Emergency Management
Reports to: Sheriff and/or Designated Supervisor
Updated: 02/16/2024
Approved by: Sheriff Jack Laurie

POSITION SUMMARY:  Under the direct supervision of the Sheriff or appointed designee and in accordance with the policies established by the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, the Emergency Management Director is responsible for planning, organizing, training, and overseeing the Emergency Management Program for Atchison County as mandated by KAR 56-2-2. This role involves conducting programs aimed at safeguarding lives and property from both natural and man-made disasters, as well as national security-related events. The Director shall be available for a 24-hour, 7-days a week response to emergency events. Emergency events can be several different scenarios such as, but not limited to, large emergency response incidents, mutual aid response incidents, hazardous material incidents, severe weather events, and large coordinated events. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Develop, update, and maintain comprehensive emergency plans for Atchison County in compliance with state regulations;

  • Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as emergency response entities, to ensure effective communication and collaboration during emergencies;

  • Coordinator and member of Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC);

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all emergency management activities within Atchison County;

  • Lead and coordinate responses to emergency situations, including coordination, communication, and support functions for various agencies;

  • Ensure timely and effective response, recovery, and mitigation efforts following disasters and emergencies;

  • Conduct post-incident evaluations and implement corrective actions to improve future response capabilities;

  • Act as the Hazardous Material Coordinator for Atchison County, overseeing efforts to safeguard citizens and property from hazardous substances;

  • Develop and implement strategies to mitigate risks associated with hazardous materials incidents;

  • Organize and conduct educational presentations for the public, institutions, and other stakeholders to raise awareness about emergency preparedness and response;

  • Attend and participate in public relation meetings to foster community engagement and support;

  • Ensure that staff, volunteers, and emergency personnel receive adequate training in emergency management procedures and protocols;

  • Continually research and implement best practices in emergency management software applications, telecommunications, and other relevant technologies;

  • Provide mutual aid assistance to surrounding counties and within the State of Kansas as needed;

  • Prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate after and/or before disasters within the county;

  • Provides the direction and leadership of the Emergency Management staff and volunteers.

  • Responds to emergency situations to perform coordination, communication, and support functions to various agencies;

  • Tours the County to oversee environmental hazards and ensure mitigation activities for emergency personnel, such as but not limited to fire, law enforcement, EMS and public works;

  • Directs the preparation and maintenance of records, prepares reports in compliance with various government agencies;

  • Assists in the preparation in the budgetary process and control of expenditures;

  • Provide current records for hazardous material used by different institutions throughout the County in accordance with Title Ill regulations and report to the LEPC and the State;

  • Develop current records of resource contacts within local, county, and state agencies;

  • Prepares the annual State and local assistance contract for reimbursement funding to the County;

  • Establishes a list of contacts to bring resources of the County, State, and Federal government in to play during an emergency;

  • Contends with continual requests from the public and governmental agencies, regarding Emergency Management;

  • Develops current standard operating procedures for the Emergency Operation Center Shall be educated to interrupt weather radar and understand weather terminology;

  • Conducts continual research in Emergency Management software applications, telecommunications, both long-distance and hardware, radio communication technology, and satellite technology;

  • Conduct various levels of disaster exercises;

  • Provides and develops training for local emergency person in all aspects of Emergency Management;

  • The Director is responsible for preparing and administrating Federal and State Grants as it pertains to Emergency Management;

  • The Director shall stay abreast of related events across the state and region through emergency management communication tools, radios, Web EOC, and other means;

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

  • Performs all other related duties required for Emergency Management;

  • Attend training courses and meetings, as required;

  • Performs all other duties assigned;

SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS

  • Assists with the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of department or functions;

  • Instructs and directs subordinates regarding proper procedures and protocol;

  • Reviews all work for compliance with standards, policies, and procedures;

  • Interviews, hires, and trains employees of Emergency Management.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

  • Knowledge of Emergency Management and operations plans;

  • Knowledge of radio equipment and frequencies, radio warning systems, and their maintenance and operations of radio communication;

  • Knowledge of Kansas Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency rules and regulations and related local, state, and federal laws:

  • Knowledge of policies and procedures for Emergency Management

  • Knowledge of hazardous materials;

  • Working knowledge and proficiency in the use of computers, software, and other applications; including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheets, email, social media, and other specific software applications required;

  • Must know the geography of the County;

  • Good written and oral communications skills;

  • Strong analytical, documentation and organizational skills;

ABILITIES

  • Ability to perform the duties described;

  • Ability to prepare and present budget/financial documents and prepare and maintain grant applications;

  • Available to be on call and work non-typical hours, including but not limited to days, nights, weekends, and holidays;

  • Demonstrate ability to direct the activities of an Emergency Management staff and volunteers;

  • Ability to serve the public with loyalty, integrity, and ethics;

  • Ability to communicate effectively in all areas of communication;

  • Ability to work under crisis and high stress situations;

  • Possesses hand-eye-foot coordination adequate to use office equipment, operate a vehicle, and other equipment related to Emergency Management;

  • Ability to talk and hear in person, by telephone and by two-way radio;

  • Ability to see and read documents, monitor computer, radar, and metering equipment;

  • Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with the public, other public safety agencies, and other officials of the county, state, and federal agencies;

  • Ability to have a high mental, visual and auditory concentration;

  • Ability to write clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively, and reads and interprets written information;

  • Ability to operate a computer, applications, software, phone, tablet, copier, fax machine, and related office equipment and resources;

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

  • High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) is required;

  • Bachelor's degree is preferred but not required;

  • Associate degree in related field is a plus;

  • At least four years' experience in public safety or related field is required; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

REQUIRED LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

  • Valid driver's license is required;

  • Must be able to obtain and/or maintain certification as a Kansas Certified Emergency Manager (KCEM) within twenty-four (24) months of employment. Continuing education is required to maintain the KCEM certification;

  • Must be able to pass the NIMS training to 400 level;

  • May be required to complete the Hazardous Material Technician course of 120 hours;

  • Must attend State and National training and conventions as required by Homeland Security, FEMA, and Kansas Emergency Management to maintain emergency management functions;

  • Other training may be required or recommended.

SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be 18 years of age;

  • Must possess a valid driver's license;

  • Must be able to pass a post offer, physical exam, and drug screening;

  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check; no felony convictions or other disqualifying criminal history;

  • Must pass a driving history background check;

WORKING & PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

  • Ability to maintain physical requirements and conditioning to deal with the hazardous, strenuous, and dangerous activities;

  • Hazardous, strenuous, and danger situations may arise while dealing with emergency management situations, including but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, exposure to electrical shock, hazardous materials, bodily fluids, and other dangerous substances;

  • General indoor and outdoor working environment with exposure to outside weather conditions of all types;

  • This position should expect occasional times of high stress;

  • Moderate exposure to loud noise levels, however, possibility of loud noises may exist;

  • Ability to stand, walk, reach, sit, read, pull, bend, crawl, push, and perform a variety of other body movements is required;

  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

  • Ability to perform light physical work and to lift and carry up to 50 pounds is required;

 

***The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the job. The roles, responsibilities, job functions, knowledge, skills, and abilities set forth herein may be revised from time to time, to comply with federal and state laws, departmental needs and the changing requirements for this position. The Atchison County Sheriff maintains the ability and right to assign, reassign or eliminate the duties and responsibilities of this job either orally or in writing at any time.***