SMC EM Emergency Coordinator - Unclassified

About the role

The Emergency Coordinator sits within the operational center of San Mateo County Emergency Management (SMC EM). This role involves planning, writing, briefing, executing, and moving between strategy and tactical detail. The work requires range and judgment, with a focus on prioritizing, pivoting, and producing.

Responsibilities

• Daily Rhythm and Duty Officer Rotation: Facilitate planning cycles, coordinate, brief, write, and manage projects across the Operational Area. Be ready to respond to emergencies at any time.
• Disaster Operations: Deploy into response efforts, whether in the EOC or field, during real events. Expect long shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Planning: Lead and contribute to the full planning cycle, from scoping through drafting, coordinating, executing, exercising, and updating plans. Translate federal and state guidance into actionable plans.
• Communication and Coordination: Brief and present to various audiences, including senior county leadership, elected officials, fire and law chiefs, Operational Area partners, community organizations, and the public. Produce clear, accurate written products on tight timelines.
• Project Management and Execution: Manage multiple concurrent priorities, identify obstacles, solve problems collaboratively, and escalate when needed. Document the work and hand off tasks effectively.
• Exercise, Training, and Operational Readiness: Contribute to exercise design, facilitation, and evaluation. Support training programs and participate in after-action reviews and improvement planning.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of professional experience, with at least 2 years dedicated to emergency management, disaster operations, homeland security, public safety, or military operations. Master’s Degree in emergency management, public administration, public policy, homeland security, public health, communications, or a related field. Working command of the planning cycle. Strong communicator across audiences. Demonstrated problem-solving. Ability to work across various settings and disciplines. Formal project management experience. Hands-on experience with alert and warning systems. Experience working across multiple jurisdictions or within a complex multi-agency operational environment. Excellent written communication skills. Familiarity with the five Emergency Management Sections and the Incident Command System. Completion of ICS Courses 100, 200, 700, and 800 (or ability to complete within the first 90 days). Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one upon residency within California.