Emergency Manager

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 Citys subject matter expert developing innovative strategies to safeguard our community and enhance our resilience against disasters and emergencies.

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.

• 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 Citys 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.

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

• 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

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

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

• 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.

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 or by phone to 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 portal for important updates related to this process.

Veterans 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 veterans 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 Veterans 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 or

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

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