Emergency Services Director

This position reports to the County Manager. The Emergency Services Director must be a strategic thinker and consensus builder who can bring strong leadership and communication skills, modern and innovative management practices, and business acumen to this critical position.

The primary purpose of this position is to oversee the administration and coordination of emergency service operations and personnel to ensure all activities are executed properly and in accordance with applicable laws, policies, ordinances, resolutions, directives, and regulations.

The Emergency Services Director is responsible for ensuring emergency services are provided to the citizens of McDowell County by planning and administration of six divisions (911 Communications, 911 Addressing, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, Fire Marshal’s Office and the Community Paramedic Program). The ESD must ensure that all divisions can meet the needs of the community, develop long-range plans and policies that ensure efficient use of resources and tax dollars. Serve as liaison for McDowell County with the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, State Emergency Management (NCEM), NC Office of EMS, NC Office State Fire Marshal, and the NC 911 Board. During disaster/emergency events, communicate with County and municipal leaders to ensure all relevant information is accessible, so they can implement or delegate direction, control, coordination, and policy-making functions as necessary to provide for optimum protection of public health and safety within the jurisdiction.

Essential Functions of the position:

Plan, organize and direct the emergency services program which includes Emergency Medical Service (EMS), Emergency Management (EM), Community Paramedic Program (CCP), 911 Communications, 911 Addressing, and Fire Marshal’s Office. The Emergency Services Director serves as the System Administrator for the County’s Emergency Medical Service Program responsible for all administrative functions related to Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support (Paramedic level care) and Emergency Medical Dispatch.

Coordinate, organize and direct subordinate personnel and administrative staff to ensure emergency service programs and functions are executed properly and in accordance with all applicable laws, policies, ordinances, resolutions, directives, and regulations.

Serve as liaison between the County and all non-governmental agencies associated with emergency medical and emergency management programs.

Serves as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Director during disasters and other activations.

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the services provided by the department meet the County’s needs.

Coordinate with Fire/Rescue agencies within the County.

Serve as a liaison representing the County; cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with a wide variety of public, private, volunteer, and non-profit agencies at the local, state, and federal level on matters pertaining to all emergency management, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.

Manage the release of emergency preparedness education and information to county residents, employees and community stakeholders; ensure dissemination of information to affected parties in a timely manner during emergencies.

Serves as the Public Information Officer for Emergency Services and the EOC during emergencies.

Serves as the Chair of the McDowell County Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Serves as the Vice Chair of the McDowell County’s Peer Performance Review Committee.

Manage and oversee emergency alert and notification systems for McDowell County.

Advise personnel of changes in Federal, State and local laws governing emergency medical services; establishes, interprets and enforces standard operating procedures for the various programs.

Develop and coordinate plans for evacuation in the event of a disaster.

Coordinate and approve the training of personnel within the department.

Investigate federal and state sources of financial assistance and grants and prepare necessary proposals and applications.

Coordinate professional development for emergency services staff.

Prepare and monitor departmental budget, operate within budgetary constraints.

Identify, obtain, and manage funding from grants and community partners.

Participate in the interpretation, negotiation, management, and enforcement of contracts

Participate in the development and implementation of system and program strategic planning.

Appraise departmental activities and operations and take necessary steps to improve the department.

Evaluate the need for and recommend the purchase of new equipment and supplies; write and review specifications.

Serves in various capacities as the Emergency Services Director.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of Emergency Services department organization and administration.

Thorough knowledge of the practices, procedures, standards, and regulations regarding Emergency Management coordination at the local government level.

Thorough knowledge of the applicable laws, regulations and policies governing EMS, Fire Marshal functions, 911 Communications and Emergency Management.

Thorough knowledge of current emergency services needs of the County.

Thorough knowledge of the functions, terminology, procedures, equipment and techniques of EMS, EM, 911, Community Paramedics, and Fire Marshal’s Office.

Thorough knowledge of Emergency Operation Plans.

Considerable knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the fields of Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, 911 Communications, and fire prevention.

Ability to plan, organize and direct operations of a large emergency services department.

Ability to respond quickly and calmly to emergency situations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, state, and federal officials, community partners and the public.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree in related emergency services field, Public Administration or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in emergency services, preparedness, emergency operation center functions, and/or related programs; or equivalent education, training, and experience.

Additional Training and Experience:

Extensive progressively responsible administrative and management experience in emergency services, disaster preparedness work and project management. Must have completed training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS).

License or Certification Desired: Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license; certified Emergency Manager (CEM) designation from the International Association of Emergency Managers and/or Executive Emergency Manager designation from the state of North Carolina. NC- Paramedic, NAEMD certification, and NC Firefighter certification.

Preferred Education, Training and/or Experience: Experience with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security disaster programs including knowledge and experience managing state and federal disasters including response and recovery programs. Experience as a Public Information Officer (PIO) is desired.

How to Apply

PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING AND BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED

APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN CREDIT ONLY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. No additional information will be solicited by the McDowell County; therefore, persons who submit incomplete applications may not receive full credit for their education, training and experience.

McDowell County is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the County to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, political affiliation or national origin. The County will interactively work with disabled applicants and employees to identify reasonable accommodations that will allow the individual to perform essential job functions.

McDowell County participates in E-Verify.

Applications are available:

on our website:

under “Job Opportunities”

McDowell County Administration Building:

25 W Fort Street Marion, NC 28752

Applications can be submitted:

Online at

in person at the County Administration building:

25 W Fort Street Marion, NC 28752

or by Mail to:

McDowell County Human Resources

60 East Court Street Marion, NC 28752

or by email to: