Deputy Director of Emergency Operations

Job Description

Introduction

Are you an experienced leader passionate about public safety, emergency preparedness, and serving your community? San Joaquin County is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Deputy Director of Emergency Operations. This critical leadership role helps guide countywide emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to protect our communities and ensure coordinated action when emergencies arise.

To learn more about this opportunity please view the attached brochure: OES Deputy Director.pdf

TYPICAL DUTIES

This specification is a general guideline for the class. The statements below are not restrictive and the responsibilities and duties assigned to a position in this class may expand beyond those identified in this specification.

• Assists with the development and management of staff, programs, budgets and operations of the Office Emergency Services; recommends operational objectives to maximize efficiency, improve service levels, reduce administrative and service provision costs, and ensure effective utilization of available resources; exercises good judgement and makes sound business decisions in managing assigned activities; provides strategic leadership through communication, demonstration, and accomplishment of the organizational mission, vision, and values.
• Directs and supervises the work of staff through subordinate managers and/or supervisors; selects, assigns, trains, and motivates staff; monitors and evaluates performance; initiates and implements effective disciplinary actions as needed.
• Assists with the development of, and recommends the establishment of, countywide non-medical emergency operation plans and procedures in accordance with State and Federal requirements and guidelines; coordinates extensively with other County Departments as well as with various State, Federal, city, special district, and community-based organizations to ensure that plans adhere to mandates, meet public safety objectives, and provide a coordinated, appropriate response to a wide variety of potential emergency and/or disaster situations.
• Assists with establishing quality control and quality improvement programs and initiatives for assigned functions and areas; develops and coordinates drills and other methods of testing for and verifying departmental and countywide emergency readiness; analyzes and monitors performance indicators and ensures that assigned responsibilities meet established standards; recommends process improvements to ensure operational effectiveness and superior customer service.
• Maintains the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and ensures its readiness for emergency response at all times; directs the purchase of required equipment and supplies; plans for and prepares for EOC staffing, including the recruitment of County employees who will be available to provide staffing support for the EOC during actual emergencies; develops and presents trainings and information to enhance the proficiency of emergency service workers and the general public to respond to disasters.
• Assists, recommends and implements operational policies and procedures; analyzes and interprets existing and proposed legislation, regulations and other directives to determine impact on operations and recommend an appropriate response.
• Researches and recommends grant and special funding opportunities; drafts and recommends the submission of funding proposals and applications; administers grants and programs in accordance with funding requirements; drafts and recommends the Office of Emergency Services budget; analyzes fiscal and workload information; recommends service improvement and cost efficiency options.
• Maintains an inventory of all emergency services equipment and supplies loaned or issued to the County such as shelter supplies, radio equipment, medical supplies, surplus property, and radiological instruments, for the purpose of accurate accountability required by state or federal departments; represents the County in the acquisition of surplus federal property to fulfill emergency service needs; assures maximum utilization of County resources in time of emergency.
• Provides administration, coordination, and support to the San Joaquin Operational Area organization as defined by specific agreement. Confers with government, civic, military, and business officials to ensure coordination and cooperation in emergency services activities; assists other jurisdictions within the San Joaquin Operational Area to prepare effective and coordinated internal emergency plans.
• Analyzes and summarizes complex narrative information and statistical data; prepares or supervises the preparation of reports for County management as well as state, federal or other external agencies; prepares Board of Supervisors’ reports and related documents; makes presentations to groups and individuals, including the Board of Supervisors and other boards and commissions.
• A ttends meetings, trainings, and conferences; stays current on matters pertaining to work assignments; participates on committees and task forces pertaining to issues germane to the department; Develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work; negotiates effective solutions to difficult problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in business administration, public administration, public safety or a related field.

Experience: Four years of management experience in emergency planning/operations or civil defense. Experience in emergency communications and mobile radio communications operations/ maintenance is highly desirable.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Licenses and Certificates: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE

The principles and practices of public and business management, including effective planning, organization, administrative, fiscal management and human resources management; federal, state, and local laws and rules related to emergency planning and response, including those from the State Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Communications Commission; advanced principles, practices, methods and techniques of emergency response planning, training and operations; principles and practices of effective staff supervision; effective program and project management; state, federal, and local sources of emergency financial assistance, and their eligibility requirements; the operation and maintenance of electronic telecommunication systems under emergency conditions; ; modern office automation technology and software relevant to assigned operations. Knowledge of Incident Command System (ICS), the Standard Emergency Management System (SEMS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS).

ABILITY

Manage the staff and activities of a complex emergency services organization in a cost effective manner while ensuring excellent customer service; develop, recommend and implement effective operating procedures applicable to County emergency programs; provide appropriate and effective leadership and management of diverse staff teams, including subordinate managers and supervisors; work collaboratively with staff, client departments and other stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes; exercise good judgment and make sound managerial decisions; exercise analytical and critical thinking to evaluate complex problems and recommend appropriate solutions; understand, interpret and apply legal codes, regulations and rules pertaining to assigned operations; analyze and implement program mandates and work within federal, state or other types of regulatory systems; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; maintain records and prepare complex reports; prepare and present short and long-range plans and recommendations; recommend the development and utilization of effective automated systems; develop and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility-frequent operation of keyboards, sitting for extended periods; occasional walking, driving, standing for long periods and climbing stairs; Lifting-frequent lifting of 5-10 pounds; Vision-constant use of good overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; Dexterity-frequent writing and repetitive motion, including use of computer keyboard; Hearing/talking-frequent hearing and talking on the telephone and in person; Emotional/psychological-constant decision-making and concentration; frequent public contact; Special Requirements: Travel throughout San Joaquin County on a regular basis; work extended and unusual hours, including weekends, holidays, and/or off-hour shifts during emergencies or disaster situations and during training programs or preparedness exercises; remain on-call in case of emergencies; occasional travel; Environmental-occasional outdoor work with exposure to varied weather conditions; work in and around adverse conditions associated with natural, technological, and human caused emergencies and disasters, such as but not limited to environmental conditions, hazardous waste, gases, toxins, dust, dirt, and debris.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

BENEFITS

Health Insurance: San Joaquin County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees of this bargaining unit. The benefits include the option of four medical plans: a Kaiser HMO plan, a Sutter Health Plus HMO plan, and two self-funded PPO plans called the Select Plan and Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available.

Dental Insurance: The County provides employees with a choice of four dental plans: Three through Delta Dental and one through United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. The County pays the full premium for all but one Delta Dental Plan (Buy-up), which the employee pays a slightly higher cost. Dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

Vision Insurance: The County provides two vision plan options through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for the base plan at employee only coverage. The buy-up plan option has a slightly higher cost. dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at www.sjgov.org under Human Resources/Benefits.

Life Insurance: The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows:

1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000
3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000
5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000
10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000

Regular employees in this unit shall be provided with a supplemental life insurance policy with a face value up to $75,000. Employees may purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $200,000 at the group rate.

Section 125 Flexible Benefits Plan : This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan and dependent care costs. Annual limits are set by the IRS and may change each year.

Retirement Plan : Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information. NOTE: If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance.

Deferred Compensation: The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $22,500 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $30,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.

401(a): For members of this unit, the County shall make a contribution equal to 2% of the employee’s base salary to the 401(a) plan.

Vacation: Maximum earned vacation is 15 days each year up to 10 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.

Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year.

Vacation Cash Out: Members shall have the option of purchasing up to eight 8-hour days vacation time once each calendar year from the member’s accumulated vacation with the approval of the County Administrator.

Administrative Leave : Each fiscal year, department heads grant 10 days of administrative leave to eligible salaried employees. Administrative leave may not be carried beyond to the next fiscal year.

Sick Leave : 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive : An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one-half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.

Bereavement Leave : 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.

Merit Salary Increase: New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.

Recruitment Incentives : Upon the request of the Department Head and with the approval of the County Administrator or his designee, the following recruitment incentives may be provided:

a) Reimbursement of moving expenses: Actual documented cost of
moving to a maximum of $2,000. Costs may include moving
expenses, interim housing, and travel expenses related to the move
for the candidate and his/her family. Any approved reimbursement
shall be made contingent upon employment, in two incremental
payments: the first payment after six months of service, the second
after twelve months of service.
b) Vacation Accrual Rate: The San Joaquin County vacation accrual
rate consistent with the candidate’s total years of public service.

c) Sick Leave: If the candidate is leaving other employment to accept
the San Joaquin County position, credit of the candidate’s actual
unreimbursable sick leave hours from the candidate’s last agency
will be a maximum of 160 hours. Such hours shall be subject to San
Joaquin County’s minimum sick leave cash out provisions.

Educational Reimbursement Program: The County offers an Educational Reimbursement Program which reimburses the employees up to $850 per fiscal year and up to $1,600 per fiscal year for enrollment in an approved career-related course work. Attorney members assigned to this unit may be reimbursed up to $520 as partial payment of California Bar Association dues, not to exceed actual amount of the dues.

Parking Supplemental Downtown : The County contributes up to $20 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.

School Activities : Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:
Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here. View and print the official application form as an Acrobat pdf file. A San Joaquin County application form is required for this recruitment. You may print this Acrobat PDF document and then fill it in. Contact us via conventional means. You may contact us by phone at (209) 468-3370, or by email, or apply for a job in person at the San Joaquin County Human Resources Division.

Closing Date/Time: 11/23/2026 11:59:00 PM