Position: Emergency Services Director

Reports to: Town Manager

Emergency Classification: Essential

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Pay Grade: 118

The Town of Fort Myers Beach is seeking an experienced and strategic Emergency Services Director to lead the Towns emergency management preparedness response and recovery efforts. This executive-level role is responsible for ensuring the safety and resilience of the community through effective emergency operations while also providing leadership and oversight of Code Compliance Neighborhood Services Rangers and municipal parking operations.

The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership sound judgment and extensive experience in emergency management and public safety operations. This position works closely with local state and federal partners to coordinate emergency preparedness initiatives disaster response and recovery efforts while ensuring efficient compliant and community-focused day-to-day operations.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach Offers a Competitive Benefits Package!

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance with low deductibles and annual maximums. The Town covers 100% of employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums. Benefits also include employer-paid life insurance short- and long-term disability coverage gym membership reimbursement and more.

Work/Life Balance: Employees accrue 16 hours of paid leave monthly plus 1 sick day and 1 birthday annually. The Town observes 14 paid holidays and offers flexible scheduling options to promote work-life balance.

Retirement Planning: Immediate vesting in a 401(a)/457(b) pension plan with employer contributions-employees are vested from day one of employment.

And More!

If this opportunity aligns with your qualifications and career goals we invite you to review the position description below and apply today to be part of the Town of Fort Myers Beach team!

Position Summary

The Emergency Services Director provides executive-level leadership and strategic direction for the Towns Emergency Services operations including Code Compliance Neighborhood Services Rangers and municipal parking operations. This position oversees regulatory enforcement public safety coordination emergency preparedness response and recovery planning and the security of Town facilities and public spaces. The Director is responsible for ensuring effective enforcement of local codes parking regulations and community standards while maintaining a high level of customer service and community engagement.

The Director manages department personnel oversees the departmental budget works closely with Human Resources on staffing and training and serves as the Towns liaison to intergovernmental agencies such as the County Sheriffs Office Fire Department FEMA and other regional and state-level partners.

Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation:

If assigned employees in this classification will be required to report and carry out duties as directed for the duration of an emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

• Provide consistent oversight strategic leadership and operational direction to Code Compliance Neighborhood Services and municipal parking operations ensuring enforcement activities daily operations and public interactions are aligned with departmental goals Town objectives and regulatory standards
• Assist staff with elevated public issues to ensure timely professional resolution while fostering a collaborative and solutions focused environment.
• Lead the creation and development of procedures to enhance operations and service delivery within assigned departments; ensure procedures are updated to reflect the current needs of the Town and align with municipal standards applicable laws and best practices.
• Work with the Town Attorney on matters related to departmental operations including but not limited to DOAH proceedings magistrate hearings and code enforcement cases.
• Serve as a representative of the Town in code-related matters including participation in legal hearings and proceedings as required by the nature of the position and responsibilities.
• Develop and manage the departments annual budget monitor expenditures and seek grant opportunities to support public safety and emergency operations.
• Coordinate with Human Resources on staffing and employee relations to include recruitment hiring training and evaluation of department employees.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure timely and accurate completion of all documentation related to employee relations performance management disciplinary actions and personnel records in accordance with Town policies and applicable laws.
• Work with Human Resources on the development and application of departmental policies and procedures.
• Oversee and coordinate municipal enforcement programs including Code Compliance and parking operations ensuring consistent application of local ordinances policies and procedures
• Develop implement and continuously improve enforcement strategies policies and procedures to enhance compliance operational efficiency and customer service across Code Compliance and parking functions
• Monitor and evaluate enforcement activities including code cases parking compliance and community concerns and implement data-driven improvements to operations and service delivery
• Address and resolve complex or escalated public concerns related to code enforcement parking operations and regulatory compliance in a professional and solutions-focused manner
• Coordinate enforcement operations in support of emergency response activities special events evacuations and recovery efforts to ensure public safety and operational continuity
• Ensure compliance with local state and federal safety and emergency management regulations.
• Serve as the Towns Emergency Management Coordinator responsible for planning implementing and maintaining emergency preparedness initiatives including the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP).
• Develop and coordinate emergency drills simulations and training sessions with Town departments and external partners.
• Provide on-the-ground leadership and decision-making during emergency incidents natural disasters and declared states of emergency.
• Maintains strong collaborative relationships and ongoing coordination with intergovernmental agencies including law enforcement fire/rescue emergency medical services FEMA and county and state emergency management offices; actively represents the Town by attending meetings briefings and planning sessions as needed to support mutual aid preparedness and response efforts.
• Coordinate the Towns response and recovery efforts during emergencies and oversee after-action reporting and improvement planning.
• Serve as the Towns Safety Program Coordinator responsible for planning implementing and maintaining safety initiatives and goals including the internal safety committee.
• Develop communicate and enforce security and safety protocols to ensure employees consistently follow established procedures while performing their daily tasks; promote a culture of safety accountability and risk awareness throughout the organization.
• Analyze and develop the Towns security processes and systems to ensure the protection of personnel facilities and assets; implement proactive measures to mitigate risks enhance emergency response capabilities and maintain a secure environment across all Town operations.
• Develop implement and continuously improve the Towns comprehensive Safety Program including policies procedures training and risk mitigation strategies to ensure a safe working environment for employees and the public in compliance with local state and federal regulations.
• Advise the Town Manager Town Council Town Staff and relevant stakeholders on public safety concerns emergency planning and interagency coordination.
• Prepare and deliver reports presentations and strategic updates to the Town Manager Town Council and relevant stakeholders regarding departmental operations ongoing projects public safety initiatives emergency preparedness efforts and interagency coordination.
• Attend assigned meetings and events.
• Participate in emergency response and recovery operations as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required.)

REQUIREMENTS:

Education Certification and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Emergency Management Public Administration Public Safety Criminal Justice or a closely related field required. Masters degree preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management public safety or a related field including at least four (4) years in a leadership/management role overseeing staff operations and programs.
• Demonstrated experience in municipal or local government emergency management operations including planning response recovery and interagency coordination.
• Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing municipal parking operations including enforcement programs compliance revenue considerations and customer service functions preferred
• Proven experience working with FEMA Public Assistance (PA) disaster recovery programs grant administration and regulatory compliance strongly preferred.
• FEMA ICS/NIMS training and certification required (ICSand 800)
• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) designation or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe.

*Relevant working experience may substitute on a year for year basis for required education.

Knowledge of:

• Municipal regulatory enforcement operations including Code Compliance and parking enforcement programs policies and best practices
• Principles and practices of emergency management disaster response recovery and hazard mitigation.
• Municipal government structure operations budgeting and interdepartmental coordination.
• Federal state and local laws regulations and standards related to emergency services public safety code compliance and marine operations.
• Incident Command System (ICS) National Incident Management System (NIMS) and FEMA protocols.
• Principles and best practices of personnel management including performance evaluation disciplinary procedures and employee development.
• Security planning and risk management strategies for government facilities and public spaces.
• OSHA NFPA and other workplace safety regulations and practices.
• Budget development financial oversight and grant funding processes.
• Public meeting processes public records laws and government transparency requirements.
• Code enforcement practices and procedures including legal hearings inspections and citation processes.

Skill in:

• Managing public-facing enforcement programs that require balancing regulatory compliance customer service and community engagement
• Effectively leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams in a high-stakes and dynamic environment while following federal and state employment laws and Town employment policies.
• Analyzing operational challenges and developing strategic data-driven solutions.
• Communicating clearly and effectively in writing and orally including public presentations and legal testimony.
• Conflict resolution de-escalation and fostering positive public relations.
• Building collaborative relationships with internal staff elected officials outside agencies and the community.
• Navigating complex regulatory environments and ensuring compliance with applicable standards.
• Using technology tools including emergency notification systems GIS and incident tracking software.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement comprehensive emergency preparedness and safety programs.
• Remain calm and decisive in high-pressure situations particularly during emergencies.
• Interpret laws codes and policies and apply them consistently and fairly.
• Oversee multiple departments/divisions and manage competing priorities.
• Work effectively with human resources to recruit onboard train and retain high-performing staff.
• Represent the Town professionally in public forums legal proceedings and interagency collaborations.
• Maintain confidentiality and use discretion in sensitive matters.
• Think strategically and adapt to emerging threats and changes in public safety practices.

Physical Requirements:

• Significant standing walking moving climbing carrying bending and kneeling. Ability to walk and patrol the beach for extended periods including on sandy terrain.
• Some crawling reaching handling sitting pushing and pulling bending stooping and digging.
• Capable of lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds of equipment or beach debris.
• Physical capability to effectively use and operate various related vehicles and machinery associated with job requirements.
• Mobility to navigate beach areas including uneven surfaces and sand dunes.

Environmental Requirements:

• Ability to perform strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions including heat cold rain and potentially dangerous environments.

Sensory Requirements:

• Task requires sound perception and discrimination.
• Task requires visual perception and discrimination.
• Task requires oral communications ability.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drugfree Workplace

Veterans Preference

The Town of Fort Myers Beach provides Veterans Preference in employment for eligible veterans spouses of veterans and qualifying family members in accordance with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines.

How to Claim Veterans Preference:

1. Notify Human Resources at to request Veterans Preference at the time of application.
2. Obtain the Veterans Preference Form which will be provided by Human Resources and indicate your eligibility.
3. Submit the required documentation (e.g. DD-214 form VA disability letter or applicable spouse documentation) along with your completed application.

If you require assistance or have questions about this process please contact Human Resources at or

Required Experience:

Director