Deputy Executive Director/Operations Section Chief

Academic Req: Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, homeland security, public administration, or a related field is required. A master’s degree is preferred. Equivalent experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree on a year-for- year basis. Candidates without a degree must demonstrate a minimum of five (5) year of progressively responsible experience in related fields within emergency medicine, with documented leadership in operational or incident management roles.

Certifications: ICS-300 and ICS-400 are preferred at the time of hire or obtained within 90 days of hire.  Current licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician–Paramedic (EMTP) is required. 

Experience Req: Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in emergency operations, field response, or public safety, with at least five (5) years in a supervisory or command-level role. Must demonstrate real-world experience managing multi-agency disaster operations, coordinating all-hazards responses, and leading diverse field teams. Experience with EOC  operations, joint information systems, tactical planning, and interagency coordination is required. Prior service on an Incident Management Team (IMT) or comparable operational command structure is highly desirable.

Executive-level experience coordinating with state, federal, or private-sector partners is required. Must show a strong track record of managing complex, multi-site deployments, integrating unified command operations, and supporting 24/7 field operations under NIMS/ICS structure. Experience with program budgeting, personnel management, and operational readiness planning is required.
 
Position Summary:

The Deputy Executive Director (DED) supports the Executive Director for Preparedness and Response in both daily operations and incident-specific missions, serving as a senior-level emergency management leader responsible for ensuring readiness, deployment, and sustained support of critical resources across all hazards. The DED is a core member of the Incident Management Team (IMT) and may serve as Acting Section Chief, leading their assigned section during preparedness, response, and recovery operations.

This position must be capable of stepping into the ED/VP role as needed and is expected to travel and represent National EMR in the same manner as the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Public and Private Partnerships (PPP) Executive Director, and President. The DED must be able to present, meet with, and effectively articulate the mission, capabilities, and scope of National EMR to external stakeholders. This role carries business development expectations and measurable objectives for expanding section capacity, building specialized skills, improving personnel retention, and contributing to the growth of National EMR’s scope and footprint.

Critical Action Items & Measurable Deliverables:

1.    Serve as a Deputy Executive Director for National EMR, capable of stepping into the ED/VP role as required, traveling as needed to represent National EMR at the highest levels with public and private partners, elected officials, and national stakeholders.
2.    Actively contributes to the expansion of National EMR’s scope and footprint through business development activities, relationship-building, and strategic outreach to new partners and clients.
3.    Lead the growth of the Operations Section by recruiting additional personnel, developing new capabilities, building team skills, and increasing retention and operational depth to ensure sustained readiness.
4.    Serve as the lead Operations representative on the Incident Management Team, direct field operations and incident tactics.
5.    Lead the Operations Section during steady state and emergency operations; ensure all outputs meet mission objectives and federal/state/local expectations.
6.    Direct the execution and coordination of response and recovery operations; manage deployment of incident personnel, assets, and mission assignments across all-hazards events.
7.    Implement operational assignments in alignment with Incident Action Plans (IAPs); monitor field conditions, synthesize situational intelligence, and adjust tactics accordingly.
8.    Maintain continuous situational awareness of national and regional threats; disseminate alerts and readiness actions to support agency posture.
9.    Serve as the primary point of contact for affiliate emergency operations; coordinate EOC functions and ensure integration with incident command.
10.    Engage with local, state, tribal, federal, and NGO partners to coordinate operational objectives and interagency response strategies.
11.    Establish operational structure and chain of command for assigned missions; issue briefings, delegate assignments, and ensure alignment with incident objectives.
12.    Lead the development and implementation of agency-wide operational readiness strategies, including Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and tactical protocols.
13.    Oversee operational compliance with grants, contracts, and MOUs; support budget development and cost management tied to field activities.
 14.    Identify operational gaps and propose scalable solutions to improve effectiveness and readiness.
15.    Develop operational plans, resource packages, and affiliated budgets in support of response and recovery efforts.
16.    Maintain 24/7 availability during activations and deploy on short notice to support incident management, field operations, or EOC support.
17.    Serve as Watch Officer; monitor hazards, disseminate intelligence, and maintain situational awareness.
18.    Supervise, coach, and evaluate assigned staff, lead recruitment, training, and onboarding for section personnel.
19.    Oversee projects and deliverables to ensure operational readiness, contract compliance, and measurable outcomes.
20.    Contribute to the development of emergency plans, SOPs, and incident management tools.
21.    Participate in the development of proposals, scopes of work, and supporting documentation for new and existing projects, including cost estimates and staffing plans.
22.    Participate as a core member of the Incident Management Team (IMT); complete required training and serve during activations.

Requirements:

1.    Demonstrated expertise in directing response and recovery operations across a range of disaster types (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires, mass care incidents).
2.    Experience developing and implementing operational plans, IAPs, CONOPS, and field mission assignments.
3.    Familiarity with EOC functions, multi-agency coordination systems (MACS), and unified command principles.
4.    Ability to maintain continuous situational awareness, assess evolving threats, and adjust tactics accordingly.
5.    Experience supervising large field teams, including Task Force Leaders, Strike Team personnel, and IMT staff.
6.    Ability to integrate with partner agencies, NGOs, and government entities to execute coordinated response efforts.
7.    Capable of developing operational scopes of work, deliverables, and budgets tied to field execution.
8.    Strong working knowledge of ICS/NIMS and emergency management doctrine.
9.    Proven ability to lead under pressure, manage teams, and maintain accountability in high- tempo environments.
10.    Proficiency in Microsoft Office, tracking platforms, and communications systems.
11.    Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including reporting and documentation.
12.    Physical ability to work in austere field conditions, including lifting 50 lbs. and working extended shifts (14–21 days).
13.    Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary IMT, exercising sound judgment in dynamic, resource-constrained environments.
 14.    Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S., hold a valid driver’s license, and pass a federal background check.
15.    Commitment to professional conduct and adherence to National EMR policies, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.

EEO Statement

In accordance with Title VII  of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state laws (e.g., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all employees equally regardless of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, or any other classification made unlawful or prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws, such as age, citizenship status, veteran or military status, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.