Emergency Management Officer

The Emergency Management Officer plays a critical leadership role in keeping the San Diego County region safe and resilient. This position oversees the development and implementation of comprehensive emergency management programs, including disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. As a regional coordinator, the Officer leads the San Diego County Water Agency Emergency Collaborative (WAEC) and works closely with member agencies, government partners, and community stakeholders to ensure seamless emergency coordination. The Emergency Management Officer will report directly to the Director of Operations and Maintenance with lead direction from the Risk and Safety Manager. 

The role also supports the Water Authority’s Emergency Operations Center, helping maintain readiness and guiding response efforts during incidents. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive, strategic thinker who thrives in high-impact, collaborative environments and is committed to strengthening regional emergency preparedness and resilience.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a seasoned emergency management professional with a proven track record of leading preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs in a complex, multi-agency environment. They are well-versed in SEMS, NIMS, and incident command principles, with the ability to translate these standards into effective plans, training, exercises, and real-world operations.

They excel at building collaborative relationships—bringing together member agencies, government partners, and community stakeholders to coordinate emergency management activities and ensure regional readiness. With strong analytical skills, they can assess risks, evaluate policies, and develop innovative solutions that strengthen organizational resilience.

This candidate is equally comfortable in strategic planning sessions, Emergency Operations Center activations, and field-based coordination during incidents. They have exceptional communication skills, are adept at presenting complex information to diverse audiences, and can guide decision-makers during high-pressure situations.

In addition to technical expertise, the ideal candidate is a natural leader who fosters trust, drives cross-agency cooperation, and maintains composure under pressure—ensuring the Water Authority and its partners are prepared for any emergency.

Qualification Guidelines

The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in emergency management, business or public administration, or a closely related field supplemented by five years of increasingly responsible experience in developing or administering emergency management, emergency response or recovery programs, preferably in a governmental agency.

An Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certificate issued by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), or similar is desired.

Licenses and Other Requirements

• A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
• ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, IS-700 and IS-800 must be obtained within six months of appointment. 

To be considered for this position, please submit an employment application and supplemental questionnaire by Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Apply online at www.sdcwa.org/careers.