Deputy Director of Emergency Services

Under general direction of the Director of Emergency Services, assists in planning, directing, coordinating, and managing the programs and operations of Ventura County Sheriff Emergency Services. Serves as a principal advisor to the Director on emergency management matters and provides leadership for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, homeland security, continuity planning, emergency communications, and Operational Area coordination activities. Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, administrative, and support staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Deputy Director of Emergency Services is a management-level classification responsible for assisting in the administration of countywide emergency management programs and services. The incumbent may act on behalf of the Director of Emergency Services in their absence and serve in a key leadership role during emergencies, disasters, and Emergency Operations Center activations. The Deputy Director of Emergency Services is expected to function as an emergency management executive and operational leader during disasters and major incidents. The incumbent routinely serves in emergency response and coordination roles, including participation in the Department's Duty Officer Program, Emergency Operations Center activations, Operational Area coordination activities, and field response operations.

Responsibilities

• Assists in directing and managing Ventura County's comprehensive emergency management program, including mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience initiatives.
• Acts on behalf of the Director of Emergency Services as assigned.
• Supervises professional, technical, administrative, and support staff engaged in emergency management and homeland security activities.
• Assists in the development, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of countywide emergency management policies, procedures, plans, and programs, including the Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan, hazard mitigation plans, evacuation plans, continuity plans, recovery frameworks, and related emergency management documents.
• Coordinates Operational Area emergency management activities, mutual aid operations, and preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts with local governments, special districts, tribal governments, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector partners.
• Provides technical guidance and policy recommendations regarding emergency management laws, regulations, standards, and best practices.
• Represents Ventura County Sheriff Emergency Services on local, regional, state, and federal committees, working groups, and task forces.
• Assists in administering homeland security, emergency management, hazard mitigation, and disaster recovery grants and related funding programs.
• Assists with contract administration, procurement activities, and vendor management related to emergency management programs and projects.
• Develops reports, presentations, grant applications, funding requests, and policy recommendations for executive leadership, elected officials, and external partners.
• Assists in the administration of public warning and emergency notification systems, emergency communications programs, and situational awareness initiatives.
• Oversees or coordinates emergency management training, exercises, and corrective action programs.
• Responds to emergencies and disasters; oversees or participates in Emergency Operations Center activations and incident management activities; serves in Incident Command System and Emergency Operations Center leadership positions; and provides operational coordination and leadership during extended emergency operations, disaster response, and recovery activities.
• Participates in the Ventura County Sheriff Emergency Services Duty Officer Program, providing after-hours emergency management coordination, situational awareness, incident support, and response to emergencies, disasters, and other significant incidents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

Education and Experience

Any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Typical qualifying experience would include:

• A Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Business Administration, or a closely related field; AND three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, public safety, homeland security, disaster recovery, mass care and sheltering, or related governmental/military operations. This experience must include at least two (2) years of experience exercising operational leadership within an emergency management, public safety, or disaster response environment (such as serving as a supervisor, programmatic lead, shift commander, or in an Emergency Operations Center [EOC] leadership capacity).
• OR Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, public safety, homeland security, disaster recovery, mass care and sheltering, or related governmental/military operations. This experience must include at least two (2) years of experience exercising operational leadership within an emergency management, public safety, or disaster response environment (such as serving as a supervisor, programmatic lead, shift commander, or in an Emergency Operations Center [EOC] leadership capacity).

Necessary Special Requirements

• Licensing: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license.
• Background: Must successfully pass and complete a comprehensive background investigation.
• On-Call Availability: Must participate in a rotating on-call Duty Officer Program and be available for emergency response outside of normal working hours.
• Disaster Response: Availability to respond to incident scenes, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations, and emergency assignments throughout Ventura County on a 24-hour basis.
• Extended Operations: Ability and willingness to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, overnight operations, and multi-day activations during emergencies, disasters, and other significant incidents.
• Crisis Leadership: Ability to serve effectively in EOC leadership positions, Incident Command System (ICS) assignments, Operational Area coordination roles, or other emergency management functions during active disasters.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with local, state, and federal elected officials and government agencies. Demonstrated understanding of governmental processes, public policy, and the ability to effectively navigate complex political and intergovernmental environments is highly desirable.
• Progressively responsible experience in local or county emergency management programs, including coordination of multi-agency emergency operations, and collaboration with public safety agencies, government partners, and community stakeholders.
• Experience leading or supporting Emergency Operations (EOC) activations and implementing SEMS, NIMS, and ICS principles is highly desirable.
• Experience in developing and implementing disaster preparedness training and exercises.
• Experience in obtaining and/or administering state and federal grant programs, including FEMA Public Assistance, FEMA Individual Assistance and California Disaster Assistance Act program.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, appropriate emergency management professional certifications (e.g., CSTI or FEMA credentials) within a designated timeframe.

Skills

Thorough knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of emergency management, homeland security, and public administration;
• The California Emergency Services Act, Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Incident Command System (ICS);
• Emergency planning, disaster response, disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, and continuity planning principles;
• Grant administration and public-sector budgeting practices;
• Personnel management, supervision, employee development, and performance evaluation;
• Principles of intergovernmental relations and collaborative problem-solving;
• Emergency notification, public warning, and emergency communications systems.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate complex emergency management programs;
• Effectively supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate subordinate staff;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department heads, city managers, public safety executives, community organizations, and members of the public;
• Analyze complex problems and develop practical solutions;
• Prepare and present clear and concise reports, recommendations, and policy analyses;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Lead emergency operations under stressful and rapidly changing conditions;
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and technical guidance related to emergency management.

Benefits

Ventura County offers an excellent benefit package. More details regarding the benefits offered by Ventura County.

Pay

Sheriff's Senior Manager II is a Management/Confidential classification and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Incumbents in this classification are eligible for benefits at the MB3 level.