Emergency Manager

Emergency Program Manager

Lane County is seeking an experienced Emergency Program Manager to lead the County's Office of Emergency Management during a time of increasing complexity, risk, and community need.

This role operates in a highly collaborative environment, working closely with the County Administrator, Policy Director, Sheriff, County departments, other jurisdictions, and a complex network of public, private, and non-profit partners.

This senior manager-level leadership role is responsible for the County's comprehensive emergency management and disaster preparedness program - spanning mitigation, preparedness, and response. The Emergency Manager serves as the County's primary emergency management authority, acts as Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager and may assume designated leadership roles within the Incident Command System, consistent with County authority and interagency agreements.

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated emergency management expertise, proven people leadership, and the ability to operate calmly and decisively in high-stress, high-visibility environments. Success in this role requires leading complex teams through ambiguity, building trust across departments, jurisdictions, and partner organizations, and take accountability for outcomes. The Emergency Manager is expected to model mature judgment, transparent communication, and partnership-based leadership in both steady-state operations and crisis environments.

We are looking for a seasoned emergency management professional who :

• Has nine (9) years of progressively responsible education and / or experience in emergency management and disaster preparedness, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory, management, or leadership role
• Has led all-hazards emergency management programs, including planning, training, exercises, response coordination, and recovery
• Is an experienced people leader who can supervise, develop, coach, and hold staff accountable
• Can confidently make decisions under pressure, manage competing priorities, and communicate clearly with leadership, partners, and the public
• Understands the role of culture, equity, and trust in emergency response and community resilience
• Exercises independent judgment while maintaining close coordination and communication with County leadership.

Key responsibilities include :

Emergency management in Lane County is complex, collaborative, and consequential. Lane County serves more than 380,000 residents across urban, rural, and wildfire-prone communities, encompassing multiple municipalities, school districts, higher education institutions, and special districts. Effective emergency management here directly affects the safety, stability, and recovery of diverse communities across the county.

This is a highly visible leadership role that operates under significant public, media, and political scrutiny, particularly during emergencies and disaster recovery efforts. The Emergency Manager must be comfortable communicating clearly, credibly, and calmly in complex, high-pressure situations where decisions and actions have broad community impact.

This role is part of the Policy Division of County Administration, working alongside Housing, Climate Action, Community Resilience & Recovery, Economic Development, Grant Strategy Management, and Intergovernmental Relations - positioning emergency management as a core contributor to long-term community resilience, not just incident response.

The Emergency Manager is expected to model Lane County's Strategic Plan values : Passion to Serve Driven to Connect Focused on Solutions.

This is an opportunity for a highly experienced emergency management leader to :

The Policy Division of County Administration advances high-priority quality of life issues for the residents of Lane County in support of County Administration, the departments of Lane County government, and partners in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. The Division includes Housing, Climate Action, Community Resilience and Recovery, Community & Economic Development, Grant Strategy Management, Intergovernmental Relations, and Emergency Management.

Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8 : 00am - 5 : 00pm.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements :

Licensing Requirements :

Preferred requirements :

Special Requirements :

Studies have shown that women and BIPOC individuals are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The county will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Lane County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job. In alignment with Lane County's Strategic Plan, incumbent(s) will be expected to demonstrate the following core behaviors : Passion to Serve, Driven to Connect, and Focused on Solutions.