Emergency Management Specialist

Emergency Management Specialist

The Emergency Management Specialist supports the City's emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts by assisting with the development, coordination, and implementation of emergency management plans and programs. Working under the supervision of the Emergency Management Coordinator and Assistant EMC, this role contributes to citywide readiness through planning support, training and exercise coordination, public education efforts, data collection, and basic Emergency Operations Center (EOC) support during incidents. The position helps maintain foundational capabilities that ensure effective emergency management operations.

Essential Functions

The following list highlights the main responsibilities of this position. While it covers the core tasks, it may not include every duty that could be assigned. Employees may be asked to take on other responsibilities as needed to support the team and department.

• Assists in developing, reviewing, and updating emergency operations plans, hazard-specific annexes, and standard operating procedures.
• Supports planning and logistics for drills and exercises by coordinating schedules, preparing materials, and assisting with after-action documentation.
• Helps maintain EOC readiness by updating status boards, contact lists, resource inventories, and notification systems.
• Collects and organizes hazard, risk, and vulnerability data to support planning and mitigation projects.
• Assists in developing and delivering public education and outreach materials related to emergency preparedness.
• Supports coordination with partner agencies by attending meetings, taking notes, and tracking action items.
• Provides basic EOC support during incidents, including situation reporting, resource tracking, and documentation under supervision.
• Maintains records, files, and databases related to emergency plans, training, exercises, and incident documentation.
• Assists with grant-related tasks and projects in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the emergency management program.

Minimum Requirements & Preferred Qualifications

Minimum requirements:

• Associate degree in Emergency Management, Higher Education, or two years of experience in a closely related field (public safety, emergency services, military, or emergency management). Experience through internships, practicums, military service, or volunteer roles (CERT, Red Cross, search and rescue, fire/EMS reserves) is acceptable.
• Valid Texas driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required FEMA/NIMS/ICS training (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800) within six (6) months of hire.
• Experience using basic office software, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and databases.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and irregular hours during emergencies, exercises, or major events.

Competencies and environment:

• Basic knowledge of emergency management concepts across mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with staff, partner agencies, and the public.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, including in stressful situations.
• Basic analytical skills for collecting, organizing, and summarizing information.

Physical demands:

This position requires occasional lifting up to 30 pounds. Frequent activities include handling materials, vision work, hearing, and speaking. Occasional activities include standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, kneeling, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, and operating foot controls. Rare activities include crouching and crawling. Tasks may involve extended periods of visual concentration.

Work environment:

Work occurs both indoors and outdoors, including in extreme weather conditions such as heat, humidity, cold, and precipitation. The role may involve exposure to loud noises, fumes, smoke, and hazardous environments. This is designated as a safety-sensitive position and may require after-hours and 24-hour emergency response availability.