Emergency Management Specialist

Title of Position: Emergency Management Specialist Location: Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Center Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Union/ Non-Union: Non-Union Supervisor: Manager of Safety & Security


Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center, located in Los Angeles, is a nonprofit organization that provides an array of comprehensive mental health services for Children, Adolescents, Transitional Aged Youth, and Adults suffering from mental illness in the Greater Los Angeles area. The organization consists of a standalone fifty five (55) bed hospital and six outlying outpatient facilities that have anywhere from fourteen (14) beds to one hundred and thirty four (134) beds. The organization has approximately four hundred (400) employees.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Emergency Management Specialist administers Gateways organization wide emergency management program. This role oversees all emergency preparedness initiatives and supports the development and implementation of emergency operations across departments. Key responsibilities include creating, updating, and enforcing emergency policies and procedures; assisting with emergency operations planning; leading and evaluating training exercises; and maintaining emergency supplies and equipment. The specialist ensures regulatory compliance, prepares required reports, and actively participates in emergency response efforts in collaboration with both internal teams and external agencies. The Emergency Management Specialist maintains a constant state of readiness to respond under the direction of senior leadership.

ESSENTIALS DUTIES

• Administer and oversee the organization wide Emergency Management and Business Continuity program, ensuring readiness across all programs and departments.
• Coordinate the development, implementation, maintenance, and periodic review of emergency preparedness, emergency operations, and business continuity plans and policies.
• Facilitate the Emergency Management Committee, including agenda preparation, meeting coordination, documentation, reporting, and communication of action items to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Safety Committee and Environment of Care leadership to align emergency preparedness activities, drills, and safety program initiatives.
• Partner with program and department leadership to integrate emergency preparedness into operational planning and environments of care.
• Plan, conduct, and evaluate emergency preparedness drills and exercises (e.g., fire, earthquake, disaster, tabletop), including completion of after action reports and implementation of improvement actions.
• Conduct ongoing Hazard Vulnerability Analyses and recommend mitigation strategies; incorporate approved actions into emergency operations and continuity plans.
• Ensure emergency supplies, equipment, and systems are properly inventoried, maintained, accessible, and replenished prior to expiration.
• Support the selection, testing, maintenance, and staff training of emergency communication and alert systems, including review and updates to notification procedures.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness activities with external agencies, including law enforcement, fire departments, healthcare partners, and community organizations; support joint trainings and exercises.
• Design and deliver emergency management and disaster preparedness training for leadership, residential managers, and staff as appropriate.
• Participate in emergency response activities and provide direct support to Incident Command leadership during activated events.
• Ensure compliance with applicable healthcare accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and state and federal emergency preparedness laws.
• Prepare and present emergency management, preparedness, and compliance reports to Agency committees and regulatory bodies as required.
• Maintain a constant state of readiness to respond to emergencies and perform other related duties consistent with the scope of the role.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in emergency preparedness, disaster response, emergency operations, or business continuity planning, preferably within healthcare, behavioral health, government, or other regulated environments.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and maintaining emergency preparedness and business continuity policies, procedures, and operational plans.
• Experience coordinating emergency preparedness initiatives across multiple programs or locations and working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated skills in hazard vulnerability assessment, crisis management, emergency exercises, and after action evaluation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, strategic planning, and problem solving skills.
• Ability to make sound, timely decisions under pressure and adapt to rapidly changing emergency situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports and present information to leadership and committees.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience working in healthcare, behavioral health, or residential care settings subject to accreditation or regulatory oversight, preferred.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATES

• Bachelor's degree required. Emergency Management, Public Administration, Public Safety, Health Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Professional certification in emergency management (e.g., CEM, AEM, or equivalent) preferred but not required.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and Community Care Licensing (CCL) background clearance.
• Valid California Driver's license.
• TB clearance.
• Driving record acceptable for coverage by Gateways insurance carrier.

As you consider taking the next step in your career, these are some of the exciting and competitive benefits we offer:

• Student loan forgiveness qualifying employee
• Medical and dental insurance
• PTO for vacation, sick time, bereavement, and personal holidays
• Bilingual bonus pay, when applicable
• Work alongside a talented, collaborative, and compassionate interdisciplinary team
• Receive professional development support from a supportive management team, and more!