Emergency Manager with Underfill at Burleigh County in Bismarck, ND

JOB TITLE: Emergency Manager

TERMS: Full time / Exempt / Full benefits (for more information on benefits go to: https://www.burleigh.gov/benefits)

SALARY: If starting before 12/20/2026: $77,147.20 - $85,612.80 annually, Grade 12

If starting on or after 12/20/2026: $79,456.00 - $88,171.20 annually, Grade 12

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 16, 2026, at 4:30 PM

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Under the County Administrator’s supervision and in accordance with ND Century Code 37-17.1, the Emergency Manager directs the County’s Emergency Management program. This role focuses on minimizing community vulnerability to injuries, fatalities, property damage, and loss from all natural, technological, manmade, or adversarial disasters. Additionally, the Emergency Manager leads coordination efforts and ensures the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains fully operational and ready.

This dynamic role requires strong multitasking abilities, professional communication skills, and technical proficiency across Microsoft Office and Adobe software. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment and effectively manage data, documentation, and stakeholder relations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide strategic leadership and coordination to collectively prepare the County for natural, adversarial, and technological emergencies. This role works closely with local and state agencies, alongside whole-community stakeholders, to ensure the County can effectively protect, prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.
2. Lead the coordination, development, and execution of public awareness campaigns and hazard-specific initiatives—including seasonal severe weather preparedness and National Preparedness Month—by delivering tailored communications across County departments, incorporated cities, and diverse public stakeholders.
3. Maintains liaison roles among private and nonprofit stakeholders, local governments, and the ND Department of Emergency Services on behalf of the county.
4. Prepare the annual budget, monitor expenditures, and coordinate public safety grant research and applications for local government, first responders, and regional partners using Microsoft Excel for financial tracking and analysis, and Microsoft Word and Adobe for professional documentation and reporting.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Organizes and manages the County Office of Emergency Management to maintain a comprehensive all-hazards Emergency Operations Plan to include preparedness, planning, response, recovery, and mitigation consistent with ND Century Code and state/federal guidelines.
• Maintain a FEMA-approved Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, review and update Plan every five (5) years for formal approval.
• Develops and submit Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) application to the ND Department of Emergency Services, including budgets and work plans; completes required work prescribed in the Work Plan, and submits quarterly progress reports and reimbursement requests with supporting documentation. Strong Excel proficiency is essential for budget development and tracking.
• Maintain a Three-Year Integrated Preparedness Plan per ND Department of Emergency Services and FEMA National Training Program guidelines; complete required training and exercises.
• Serve as the lead support for the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) under SARA Title III by engaging whole-community stakeholders—including fire, law enforcement, EMS, public works, and volunteers—while ensuring the annual review of the Hazardous Materials Response Plan, maintaining access to Tier II data, and submitting the annual Section 304 notice.
• Promotes emergency preparedness through awareness and education programs, monitors community needs, conducts training for officials and citizens, and completes required reports for ND Department of Emergency Services and FEMA. Employs clear, professional communications to diverse audiences.
• Serves a liaison for County officials; coordinates services with staff and departments; prepares and submits reports; and represents the department in meetings with local officials, community leaders, state agencies, and the public. Strong multiple-tasking and communication skills are critical for managing multiple priorities and providing concise updates to County Administration and stakeholders.
• Maintains 24/7 readiness of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), including staffing equipment, supplies, and procedures. Activates and manages the EOC as needed; maintains resource lists and oversees activities during emergencies.
• Conduct initial emergency assessments in coordination with Incident/Unified Command, promptly notify the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) via WebEOC when disasters are imminent or occurring, submit timely situation reports, and ensure all local agencies are briefed and updated.
• Manage all phases of emergency management and disaster grants—including research, application assistance, and disaster reimbursement processing—while maintaining precise financial records for audits per state and federal requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required.

JOB TITLE: Emergency Management Specialist - Underfill

TERMS: Full time / Non-exempt / Full benefits (for more information on benefits go to: https://www.burleigh.gov/benefits)

SALARY: If starting before 12/20/2026: $25.18 - $27.95 per hour, Grade 6

If starting on or after 12/20/2026: $25.94 - $28.79 per hour, Grade 6

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 16, 2026, at 4:30 PM

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Emergency Management Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the daily operations of the County Emergency Management division. This position ensures compliance with North Dakota Century Code § 37-17.1-07 by assisting in the administration of the county-wide emergency management program. The Specialist actively participates in operational readiness activities, including the ongoing maintenance and updating of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists the Administrator in maintaining comprehensive emergency preparedness programs and full EOC operational readiness by researching, drafting, and updating critical plans and legal documentation.
2. Coordinates and manages the logistics, scheduling, and promotion of emergency training and educational programs for local government personnel, first responders, and community volunteers.
3. Researches and tracks federal, state, and private grant opportunities under the direction of the Administrator to secure and monitor funding.
4. Coordinates information and documentation with federal, state, and local agencies to support and maintain the Emergency Management program.
5. Supports the maintenance of records in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements by accurate filing and tracking.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Assist with emergency preparedness functions; programs; plan writing, research, and updates; and ensuring accuracy and status of all required and related documentation and plans.
• Assist and participate in operational readiness activities including providing disaster emergency awareness and preparedness information and coordinating training through logistical coordination and preparation of required materials.
• Assist with the preparation of various reports on local and emergency/disaster activities and other administrative records. Helps provide technical assistance.
• Assists in the design, implementation, coordination, and facilitation of exercises and the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) compliant after-action reports by ensuring complete and appropriate communication to involved staff.
• Assists in promoting emergency preparedness activities, emergency awareness and education programs and completion of reports as required through ND Department of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• Assists in the coordination of grants, research, and related reporting standards for local, state, and federal programs through filing and review of information.
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of agendas and corresponding minutes.
• Perform other duties as required and assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The employing agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services, and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

Emergency Manager:

• Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Public or Business Administration, or related field; and three (3) to five (5) years of direct Emergency Management program coordination experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be a National or ND Certified Emergency Manager or ability obtain ND State Certification within five (5) years of employment.
• Thorough knowledge of County policies, local, state (including ND Century Code 37-17-1), and federal laws, ordinances, statues, and regulations governing emergency management.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and administering budgets and grants, managing personnel, and researching methods/procedures.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (budgeting, data analysis, tracking), Word (document and plan development), and Teams (collaboration, meetings, coordination); proficiency with Adobe software for PDF/document management and creation.
• Strong public information skills, including crisis communication, media relations and the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively with diverse stakeholders, the general public, and County Administration.
• Proven ability to multi-task effectively in high-pressure, dynamic situations while maintaining attention to detail and prioritizing tasks.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, and pass civil, criminal, credit, and driver’s license background checks.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills; proficient in computer and technology used in Emergency Management.
• Candidates must already be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Emergency Management Specialist - Underfill:

• Associate’s Degree with major coursework in Business or Public Administration, Emergency Management, or closely related field Associate’s Degree with major coursework in Business or Public Administration, Emergency Management (or 60 semester hours of college credit) or related field corresponding to the job functions; and two (2) years’ experience providing emergency management activities.
• Must have knowledge of local, state, and federal law, ordinances, statutes, and regulations governing emergency management.
• Must have experience with grants and researching methods and procedures and their associated recordkeeping.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with clean driving record, and must be able to pass civil, criminal, and driver’s license background checks.
• Demonstrated skill researching, preparing, writing, and editing official communication documents, proposals and plans.
• Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize workload, work under pressure with tight timelines and changing priorities, and simultaneously work on multiple projects.
• Demonstrated skill in Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint applications) as well as typing and spelling.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, organization, communication (written and verbal), analytical and decision-making skills and be proficient in the use of computers and related technology to include social mediums.
• Candidates must already be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED:

• Unofficial transcripts (if any)

Please add additional documents in step one (1) to the section titled "Upload Additional Documents".