Program Manager - Office of Emergency Services - 475 (Uncalssified)

Emergency Services Program Manager

The Emergency Services Program Manager leads and oversees the Operations Section within the City of San Diego Office of Emergency Services (SD OES), providing strategic direction and operational oversight for the City's emergency management mission. This position is critical to the City's ability to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to our community.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of SD OES, the Program Manager supervises professional and administrative staff, providing strategic direction and operational oversight for the City's comprehensive emergency management programs. The role includes developing and maintaining citywide emergency plans, coordinating cross-departmental and partner agency efforts, and overseeing citywide emergency preparedness training and exercises to ensure the City's operational readiness for disaster response.

The Program Manager ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal emergency management standards and practices, while also representing the City in regional planning efforts, working groups, and committees. The role assists the Executive Director with reviewing and updating administrative regulations and departmental policies to strengthen City preparedness and response frameworks.

During Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, the Program Manager serves as the Deputy or acting EOC Director, coordinating and supporting citywide response and recovery operations.

The position is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

Key Areas of Responsibility :

• Lead and manage the SD OES Operations section, including oversight of staff, programs, and initiatives that build and sustain the City's emergency management capabilities.
• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for the City's emergency management programs, plans, and preparedness initiatives.
• Supervise the development, coordination, and maintenance of comprehensive citywide emergency plans, procedures, and protocols in compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.
• Oversee the readiness, maintenance, and operational capabilities of the City's Emergency Operations Centers, including facilities, systems, and coordination processes.
• Plan, coordinate, and evaluate citywide emergency preparedness training and exercises to ensure alignment with regional, state, and federal standards and practice.
• Represent the City in regional, state, and federal emergency management initiatives, fostering collaboration across jurisdictions and sectors to strengthen interoperability, mutual aid planning, and coordinated preparedness and policy development.
• Develop and implement policies and administrative procedures that strengthen the City's emergency management framework and support departmental objectives.
• Support the Executive Director in reviewing and updating administrative regulations and emergency management policies.
• Serve as the Deputy or acting EOC Director during EOC activations, providing operational leadership, coordination, and support for citywide emergency response and recovery efforts.

Minimum Qualifications :

Desirable Qualifications :

The ideal candidate will possess :

The Department :

The Office of Emergency Services in San Diego promotes a secure and resilient City by overseeing disaster preparedness, emergency management, and response. The Office administers grants for emergency training, equipment, and resources, and manages Citywide emergency prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. The department develops and reviews emergency response plans, maintains the Emergency Operations Center, and coordinates emergency training and exercises. It integrates advanced planning, hazard mitigation, cybersecurity, and Smart City principles into its operations. The Office also handles disaster cost recovery and grant management, coordinates federal Homeland Security and FEMA grant funds, and develops region-wide risk management plans. Additionally, the department administers FEMA-funded emergency training for first responders and emergency management stakeholders.

The City :

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego's strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City's Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is "Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City." The City's Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan".

As one of the region's largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2025 operating and capital budget of approximately $5.65 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City's website.

Benefits :

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes :

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process : Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City's pre